UK in ‘new era of national security’ as AI supercharges rising threats, security chief warns

UK in New Era of National Security, MI5 Chief Warns

Healfromzero.com – The UK is in a new era of national security, marked by growing pressure from hostile states, terrorism and rapidly developing artificial intelligence, according to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum. In his annual threat assessment, McCallum said the relative stability that followed the Cold War had given way to a more contested environment requiring greater resilience and vigilance.

He said MI5 is now tackling terrorism and state-threat operations on a broadly similar scale, a major shift from recent years. Russia, Iran and China were identified as key sources of concern, with threats ranging from arson, sabotage and cyberattacks to coercion and violence.

AI could intensify security risks

Artificial intelligence is already amplifying some risks, particularly in cybersecurity, McCallum said. MI5 is establishing a new AI Threat Assessment Center as officials assess how the technology could help hostile actors operate more effectively.

One of the most serious concerns is the possibility that AI could eventually assist the creation of destructive biological weapons. McCallum said that capability has not yet materialized, but warned that AI could give less sophisticated actors a significant boost if effective safeguards are not put in place.

State threats now demand major MI5 resources

McCallum said MI5 is devoting more resources to countering state threats than it did during the Cold War, and that its state-threat caseload has quadrupled over the past decade. The UK in new era of national security is not, he said, a short-term disruption but a lasting change in the threat landscape.

Russia remains the leading aggressor, McCallum said, pointing to what he described as an escalating campaign of hybrid warfare across Europe. He cited examples including a cyberattack on Polish energy infrastructure and an alleged attempt to use an explosive-laden drone against a cargo plane in Germany. In the UK, a man was charged under the National Security Act last month over allegations that he was preparing to sabotage a drone factory in Swindon.

McCallum said Russia’s intelligence capacity has also been weakened after more than 1,000 of its foreign staff were expelled by host countries following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He said Russia has increasingly turned to criminals to carry out its objectives, while Iran has used similar methods in efforts to expand its hybrid campaign.

Iran-linked plots and Chinese espionage concerns

More than 50 people have been arrested in connection with Iran-linked plots, most of them targeting British Jewish communities, McCallum said. He also referred to Iranian ambitions to target military sites, including the incident at RAF Fairford last month, while declining to provide further details because investigations remain ongoing.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was “almost certainly” responsible for directing a suspected plot against the UK airbase used by US forces. Iranian officials have strongly denied the allegations. Several men, including a British-Iranian dual national, were arrested in connection with the suspected plot and later released on bail.

McCallum also accused China of carrying out espionage in the UK, referring to a recent MI5 alert issued to the academic community and to convictions earlier this year for national security offences linked to Beijing. Despite the heightened focus on hostile states, he said terrorism remains a top MI5 concern and that an attack is highly likely.

FAQ: What does this mean for people in the UK?

What does the UK in new era of national security mean?

It means security agencies expect persistent threats from hostile states, terrorism, cybercrime and emerging technologies. The warning emphasizes the need for government, businesses, universities and the public to remain alert to suspicious activity.

How can organisations reduce cyber risks?

Organisations can strengthen passwords, use multi-factor authentication, apply security updates promptly, train staff to spot phishing attempts and report suspected cyber incidents through appropriate UK channels.

Is AI itself considered a threat?

AI is not inherently a threat, but MI5 warns it can make harmful activities easier for hostile states, criminals and terrorists. Effective safeguards and responsible use are central to limiting those risks.