# Britain on notice: AI-powered ransomware attacks to arrive by 2028

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/britain-on-notice-ai-powered-ransomware-attacks-to-arrive-by-2028/
- Published: 2026-11-03T12:39:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T14:15:35+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/11/03/britain-on-notice-ai-powered-ransomware-attacks-to-arrive-by-2028/5307200
- Topics: Cybersecurity, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- AI-powered ransomware is highly likely to target UK infrastructure by 2028.
- The NCSC warns AI could make attacks harder to attribute.
- Government plans include £130 million for cyber defence initiatives.

## Summary

The NCSC says AI-powered malware is highly likely to feature in a ransomware attack on UK critical infrastructure by 2028. Its warning matters because AI tools could make attacks more frequent and harder to trace, complicating efforts to identify who is responsible.

The NCSC says attackers are already misusing open-source AI security tools, while its assessment considers the possibility of autonomous systems acting beyond human control. A government pilot called Project DROMOS found hundreds of potential security issues, including critical vulnerabilities. Planned defences include Cyber Shield, backed by £60 million, and a £70 million National Exposure and Real-Time Vulnerability Centre.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.