Cyberattacks and interference in democratic processes have been added to the UK’s National Risk Register, reflecting the growing importance of digital resilience to public safety and trust.
What the register is
The public register summarises major risks assessed through the classified National Security Risk Assessment. Inclusion does not mean an event is certain; it signals that government and public bodies should plan for potentially serious disruption.
Why democratic interference matters
Threats may include hacking, covert influence, manipulation of information and attempts to disrupt electoral systems or public confidence. AI can increase the speed and scale of convincing false content, while cyber incidents can affect councils, public services and political organisations.
Local resilience
Proposals would formalise a role for local and regional mayors in resilience planning. That matters because many consequences—service outages, emergency communication and support for vulnerable residents—are managed locally.
What organisations should do
- Maintain tested incident-response and continuity plans.
- Use secure authentication and timely patching.
- Train staff to recognise phishing and manipulation.
- Prepare clear public communication before a crisis.
A public-awareness campaign is also planned. It should give specific, proportionate advice without encouraging panic or treating every disputed claim as foreign interference.
Source: Cabinet Office, 14 July 2026.
