Lindy Cameron, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, will say in a speech that the phenomenon, where hackers encrypt data and demand payment for it to be restored, is escalating and becoming increasingly professionalised.

To continue reading this report in The Guardian, go to:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/14/ransomware-is-biggest-online-threat-to-people-in-uk-spy-agency-chief-to-warn

Also see:

Director GCHQ’s Speech at CYBERUK 2021 Online
Good morning. Thanks to Lindy, for that introduction. I’m very happy to be with you today, even if it’s virtually.

Now Lindy took over from Ciaran Martin last October. I promise you a Northern Irish accent is not a prerequisite for her job! She’s brought a wealth of international, security and government expertise to the role and is already making a difference. It’s great to have her as part of the team – I know how much she is looking forward to meeting you in person too.

And so to today.

At a time when cyber security has never been more essential to the nation’s prosperity and resilience, CYBERUK is more vital than ever in bringing us together.

No one organisation can meet these challenges alone; we all need to play our part. And no one country can do this in isolation. Working with likeminded partners around the world is key. Cyber is most definitely a team sport.
https://www.gchq.gov.uk/speech/director-gchq-s-speech-at-cyberuk-2021-online