Government briefs energy companies after cyber attack

A small power plant was shut down during a cyber attack reportedly carried out by hackers linked to Iran.

The government has stressed that there was no risk to the UK’s energy system but generators have been contacted to remind them about the risks posed by cyber criminals.

The Telegraph reported that the attack, carried out last month, was organised by hackers affiliated to the Iranian regime.

Alicia Kearns, the shadow security minister, said the attack “must not be shrugged off”.

“It should be the shot across the bow needed to wake-up the government. Our critical infrastructure was built for reliability, not for an age of contest. It is lightly defended and in many cases laid bare on Google Maps for any hostile actor to identify.”