{
  "id": 17953668,
  "title": "UK cyber chief warns 'upgrade your tech defences' after supermarket hacks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/uk-cyber-chief-warns-upgrade-your-tech-defences-after-supermarket-17953668",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-03T11:04:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2026/11/03/uk-cyber-chief-warns-upgrade-your-tech-defences-after-supermarket-hacks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Britain's chief cyberspace official has cautioned businesses to significantly enhance their cybersecurity measures following a series of hacking incidents that struck supermarkets across Europe. Richard Horne, head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, expressed concern over the outdated technology that many organizations rely on, which is becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber attacks. He emphasized that advancements in artificial intelligence have given hostile states and criminals innovative methods to identify and exploit system weaknesses.\n\nThe NCSC chief executive stated that the risk isn't due to AI inventing new attack methods but due to vulnerabilities that have gone unchecked for too long and can now be discovered and exploited at an unprecedented scale. A series of cyberattacks specifically targeted supermarket freezers across Europe on Monday, raising temperatures to potentially as high as 50°C, resulting in significant food waste. Horne criticized decades of underinvestment in \"operational technology\" - systems that regulate electricity, water, switches and refrigeration units - which has left Britain with numerous vulnerabilities.\n\nHorne highlighted that many organizations have neglected to upgrade their equipment or properly isolate it from the internet, leading to a plethora of vulnerabilities. He warned that AI in the hands of adversaries could take advantage of these weaknesses. The cyberattacks affected supermarkets in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia and Finland on Monday, following similar attacks on French supermarkets and food suppliers in early October.\n\nThe motive behind these incidents remains uncertain, with Horne stating that it could be attributed to states or criminals. He called on companies to prioritize technology renewal and advised individuals and households to keep their devices updated, enable automatic updates, maintain offline backups, and utilize passkeys whenever possible. Horne emphasized that while the NCSC provides warnings and assistance, the ultimate responsibility for system protection lies with individual organizations. He urged them to make wise choices and take control of their cybersecurity.",
  "summary": "Businesses must urgently strengthen their cyber defences or face major disruption , Britain’s head of cyber security has warned after supermarkets across Europe were victims of hacking. Richard Horne, head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre , said organisations were relying on outdated technology that was increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, while artificial intelligence was giving…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}