Iranian-linked hackers successfully shut down a small-scale power generator in Britain for four days in July, marking the first known cyberattack of its kind on a UK power facility, according to a report.
The incident, reported in July, did not threaten the country's wider electrical supply, UK officials stated. The targeted facility has not been identified.
The breach prompted alarm within Britain's energy sector, and authorities issued a warning about the increasing threat posed by Iran-linked cyber groups. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the public-facing branch of GCHQ, had previously alerted companies earlier this year to prepare for potential attacks from Iran-linked hackers amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, and its allies.
This event follows a series of cyberattacks that have affected water infrastructure in at least 12 U.S. states. Officials in Minnesota have accused Iran of being responsible for brief automated shutdowns and subsequent boil-water notices in the state.
The UK government has cautioned that cyberattacks against domestic infrastructure remain a significant risk, particularly as artificial intelligence facilitates faster and easier execution of such attacks. Despite these concerns, British officials maintain that the nation's energy system is highly resilient and that the government is collaborating closely with industry partners to reinforce defenses.
A government spokesperson told The Telegraph, "The UK has a highly resilient energy system. We work closely with the energy sector to protect infrastructure and ensure the highest security standards."