The UK's national resilience plan may be compromised by a major risk factor: the supply of food and water. A severe disruption to these essential services could have far-reaching consequences for the population.
The threat of a cyber attack on water infrastructure is a significant concern, with the potential to impact a large population. A worst-case scenario could see an advanced cyber actor infiltrate the operational systems of a water company, deploying malware that erases critical data and disables key components.
This could result in a major disruption to water supply and wastewater services, with a significant impact on public health and safety. In a worst-case scenario, over one million people in London could be affected.
The UK's reliance on imported food, with over a third of its food supply coming from abroad, adds to the risk. This makes the country's food and water supply more vulnerable to disruption than in some other nations.
A nationwide resilience plan could help mitigate these risks, enabling Brits to prepare for emergencies and disruptions. This could include preparations for food supply, water, weather, and other worst-case scenarios.
