Major Cyber Attack Threat Looms Over Greater Manchester

• •Greater Manchester faces a significant and persistent cyber attack threat.
• •Critical systems like police GPS and healthcare data access are at risk.
• •Recent cyber incidents include breaches at Manchester Airport and attacks on local councils.

Experts warn of a significant threat of cyber attacks targeting Greater Manchester, potentially disrupting police GPS systems and healthcare access. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) report indicates a hostile threat landscape, with active attempts to disrupt emergency services and spread disinformation. Professor Ali Kashif Bashir from Manchester Metropolitan University highlighted the interconnectedness of critical systems, which could lead to severe consequences if attacked. Recent incidents include a data breach at Manchester Airport Group and previous attacks by the Russian-linked group NoName057(16) on local councils. The GMCA paper cites threats from state actors like China, North Korea, and Iran. A meeting of Greater Manchester leaders is scheduled for September 21 to discuss these cybersecurity issues.