Cybersecurity threats are escalating, and the UK is facing a growing challenge to safeguard its digital infrastructure. With new risks from ransomware, quantum computing, and escalating global cyber threats, protecting national data is more critical than ever.
In his first major speech at the NCSC’s Eighth Annual Review, Richard Horne, head of GCHQ, highlighted the urgent need for robust defenses. He emphasized the growing gap between the UK’s exposure to cyber threats and the defenses needed to protect vital systems and data.
The Cybersecurity Threat Landscape
From NHS ransomware attacks to the looming threat of quantum computing, the UK’s public infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable. The NHS, with its outdated IT systems, has become a popular target for cybercriminals, leading to disruptions in essential services like surgeries and patient record access. The government has recently implemented measures, including banning ransomware payments to public bodies, to address the rising wave of attacks.
In 2024, of the 430 incidents handled by the National Centre for Cyber Security, 347 involved data exfiltration, underscoring the growing value of sensitive data to adversaries.
Four Key Issues in Digital Infrastructure
Current data storage and protection methods are highly centralized, creating key vulnerabilities in both defense and commercial sectors:
- Concentrated Risk: Centralized data storage in data centers and cloud systems makes them prime targets for cyberattacks, especially in times of geopolitical conflict.
- Quantum Computing: Traditional encryption methods are no match for the power of quantum computing, rendering vast amounts of sensitive data exposed to cybercriminals.
- Bottlenecks: The hub-and-spoke architecture of data systems creates inefficiencies and delays, complicating the rapid flow of information.
- Rising Costs: Maintaining centralized infrastructure, encryption systems, and virtual private networks is becoming increasingly expensive, particularly as data volumes grow.
Data Disaggregation: A Revolutionary Solution
The solution to these cybersecurity challenges lies in data disaggregation – a shift away from centralized storage to fragmented data storage across multiple platforms. This approach offers multiple benefits:
- Enhanced Security: By breaking down data into smaller fragments across various platforms, it becomes nearly impossible for attackers to reconstruct sensitive information, even in the event of a partial breach.
- Quantum-Proofing: Disaggregated data storage is more resistant to the threats posed by quantum computing and AI-driven attacks.
- Cost Reduction: Using commercial cloud infrastructure can drastically reduce costs compared to maintaining traditional centralized data storage systems.
- Improved Data Flow: Disaggregation enables more efficient, secure data transfer between authorized parties, enhancing decision-making and overall system responsiveness.
Future-Proofing Data Security
Prizsm Technologies has developed a patent-pending platform tested by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), offering a breakthrough in data security. Their platform stores data in atomic, non-sequential fragments across multiple cloud platforms, enhancing security against quantum attacks while cutting storage costs by over 50% in the long term.
As the UK moves towards digital transformation, adopting data disaggregation could ensure that the nation’s critical infrastructure is not only secure against evolving threats but also more efficient and cost-effective. This approach could help the UK maintain its global leadership in cybersecurity, keeping citizens, businesses, and national security safe in an increasingly digital world.
