The former head of GCHQ, a British intelligence agency which provides the government and armed forces with signals intelligence and information assurance, has warned that Russia is a threat to British democracy.
Robert Hannigan stepped down from his position in January this year after only two years in charge, citing personal reasons, particularly the stress placed on his family life by his position. In his first subsequent interview, Hannigan commented on what he perceived to be a threat from Russian cyber attacks, claiming the need for 'red lines' and highlighting the need to 'push back'.
While talking to BBC radio, he agreed that the Russian authorities were a threat to the UK's democratic process.
Credit: PA Images; Angela Merkel is up for re-election
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"There is a disproportionate amount of mayhem in cyberspace coming from Russia, from State activity, and (French) president Macron and (German chancellor) Angela Merkel have called this out recently, attacks on democratic institutions, right through to major organised cyber criminal groups many of which are based in or run from Russia," he said.
When asked what should be done, Hannigan said that first and foremost, starting to "talk about it is good, calling it out," but went on further to say Britain needed to tighten its defences with the National Cyber Security Centre taking the lead, supported by the private sector.
"But, ultimately, people will have to push back against Russian state activity and show that it is unacceptable," said Hannigan. "It does not have to be by cyber retaliation, but it may be that that is necessary sometime in the future, certainly the Americans have talked about that. But it may be sanctions and other measures just to put down some red lines and say that this behaviour is unacceptable."
Credit: PA Images: French President Emmanuel Macron
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Hannigan highlighted French President Emmanuel Macron calling out Russia for its alleged state-sponsored cyber hacks and said such robust positions were a good start in combating the threat, while also arguing that Russia itself 'could certainly rein in its own State activity'.
Macron alleged that state-sponsored Russian agents tried to scupper his ultimately successful election campaign, while there have been strong allegations that the Russian state was influential in the outcome of last year's US election. There have also been further reports that the nation may try to play some online role in influencing the upcoming German election, in which Angela Merkel (openly critical of Russia in recent times) is expected to win once again.
Hannigan also cited the responsibility of social media sites to take down extreme content but believed it should be a voluntary move rather than the result of legislation, which he labelled a 'blunt last resort'.
Sources: Daily Telegraph, Reuters and Evening Standard
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Words: Ronan O'Shea
Topics: vladimir putin, UK, Russia