Britain Invests $2 Billions To Defend Against Russian Cyber Attacks

UK is investing more than $2 billion on cyber attack and in recruitment of more intelligence officers, as the country is being warned by intelligence services of having increased chances of espionage tactics.

The major infrastructure, such as air traffic control systems and electricity grids, could be targeted by what he called "hostile foreign actors", British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said. “So we will not only defend ourselves in cyberspace, we will strike back in kind when we are attacked.” He was quoted as saying by Voice Of America.

Though Hammond did not specify Russia, the head of Britains Domestic Intelligence service known as MI5 accused Russia for its aggressive cyber attacks, espionage, propaganda and subversion. However, Russia denied the charges.

“I think that in MI5 for a very long time they were consumed with counterterrorism,” said The Economist newspaper's Russia expert Edward Lucas. “This has been the absolute No. 1 priority. And it’s taking them a bit of time to get tooled up again to deal with the threat from Russia.” Lucas added.

Those tools can defend but can also deter, argues John Lough of policy institute Chatham House. “The challenge for Western countries is to show, if you like, a degree of resolve for dealing with Russia, show the instruments they have available, showing in fact how those can be sharpened if needed if things were to get worse in Ukraine or elsewhere on the periphery,” Lough said.

Britain and the West lack a cohesive policy to counter the Russian threat, added Lucas. “We need a joined-up response to Putin’s joined-up threat which connects money, propaganda, espionage, the use of energy, subversion, military saber-rattling, all these things,” he said.

“But certainly one of the weakest links is the bankers, lawyers and accountants in the West who help the Russian elite dispose of their money. They should be facing prosecution and extradition to the United States.”

Much of that Russian money passes through banks in London. Lucas argues this trade must be tackled simultaneously as Britain ward off cyberattacks.