New research from Armis, an asset intelligence cybersecurity company, reveals that over half (52%) of UK IT leaders believe that the government is incapable of protecting its citizens and businesses from an act of cyberwarfare. This figure is higher than in any other country in Europe, representing a drastic shift from a year ago when 77% expressed confidence in the capabilities of the government.

Ahead of a crucial election year, 37% of UK IT leaders also believe that cyber war has the potential to compromise the integrity of the electoral process. This concern sharply rises amongst respondents from the government sector (60%), the medical, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industry (67%) and financial services (71%). Further, 45% believe cyberwar could result in attacks on the media, a figure that is higher than the concern level in the U.S., France, and Germany.

David Critchley, Regional Director, UK & Ireland, Armis, said, "The overwhelming sentiment in the IT industry that the government will be unable to keep citizens safe and the country secure underscores a critical shortfall in defensive measures to date. In this pivotal election year, it's imperative for the government and organisations to proactively rebuild national confidence by enhancing defensive cybersecurity strategies."

The survey included more than 2,600 global security and IT decision-makers and showed that UK organisations face significant threats from global adversaries. With 46% of UK respondents stating that geopolitical tensions with China and Russia have led to an increased threat of cyberwarfare and 50% describing North Korea's cyber capabilities as a potential trigger for a full-scale cyberwar, the survey underscores the gravity of the situation.

The research also reveals that many UK organisations feel underprepared to address these threats. 43% have experienced 1-2 cybersecurity breaches, and 27% of IT leaders say they have a plan in place to handle cyberwarfare, although it has not been validated. Moreover, 21% of UK organisations state that they haven't allocated sufficient budget for cybersecurity programs, thereby exposing themselves to increased risk.

Nadir Izrael, CTO and Co-Founder of Armis, emphasised the seriousness of the situation: "Make no mistake, we are in a cyber arms race against our adversaries and society as we know it is at risk. Relying on legacy technologies and manual security processes is the equivalent of bringing a knife to a gunfight, given the threats we're up against and the arsenal of nation-state actors."

Worryingly, in the face of rising threats, around two-thirds (64%) of IT leaders claim digital transformation projects have been paused or pulled due to the threat of cyberwarfare. Considering an estimated GBP £27 billion is spent each year on digital transformation in the UK, the impact of such a pause is tremendous.

Armis emphasises the need for the deployment of AI-driven tech and a robust investment in cybersecurity, arguing that this is the best chance to shield society from the threat of cyber warfare.

The findings from Armis underscore the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the UK, with IT leaders expressing heightened concerns about the government's ability to protect against cyber warfare. As the threat landscape continues to evolve and geopolitical tensions persist, organisations must prioritise cybersecurity investments and deploy advanced technologies to safeguard against potential attacks. With digital transformation projects at risk and the nation's security on the line, proactive measures are crucial to defend against the escalating threat of cyberwarfare.