NCSC and BT block a billion harmful clicks
Virtually a billion early-stage cyber assaults and end-user makes an attempt to entry harmful web sites have been blocked by the Nationwide Cyber Safety Centre’s (NCSC’s) new Share and Defend service, a joint venture developed with associate BT that’s designed to guard Britons from fraud and cyber crime.
Quietly launched earlier this yr, Share and Defend collates knowledge gleaned from public reviews made to the NCSC, business risk intelligence specialists, protecting area title service (PDNS) suppliers and takedown actions. These datasets are then shared with web service supplier (ISP) companions, which in flip filter them by way of their very own DNS platforms to cease their prospects from accessing malicious web sites.
This all occurs in close-to real-time, enabling ISPs to chop fraudsters operating phishing or faux retail websites off from their potential victims at scale.
“At a time after we are all more and more depending on know-how to run our lives, the NCSC’s Share and Defend service helps to guard the British public at an unprecedented scale,” stated NCSC CEO Richard Horne.
“As one in every of our Energetic Cyber Defence companies, this functionality demonstrates the influence that we are able to have after we intervene to dam malicious exercise, working alongside business companions.
“Collaboration is crucial for proactively countering the risk, and we look ahead to extending the success of the programme driving up our nationwide cyber resilience,” he added.
“Our function as a founding associate of the Share and Defend programme aligns with the precedence we placed on defending the UK,” stated BT Client CEO Claire Gillies.
“As cyber threats proceed to develop for shoppers and companies throughout the nation, at present’s announcement demonstrates the worth of sturdy, coordinated motion. Ongoing collaboration between authorities and business is crucial to safeguard the UK’s digital panorama and guarantee a safer on-line surroundings for all,” she stated.
Companions sought
Share and Defend’s launch companions embody family names similar to TalkTalk and Vodafone, in addition to nationwide training and analysis community operator Jisc, telecoms wholesaler PlatformX Communications (PXC), and the Cyber Defence Alliance, a London-based risk intel non-profit.
Horne stated the NCSC was nonetheless trying to onboard extra new companions as a way to prolong Share and Defend’s attain throughout extra shoppers and companies.
In the meantime, safety minister Dan Jarvis, talking on the Monetary Instances’ Cyber Resilience Summit 2025 in London, hailed the partnership for instance of how UK authorities businesses are working with personal sector companies to maintain the UK secure from on-line harms, forward of the anticipated January 2026 publication of Westminster’s Nationwide Cyber Motion Plan.
This plan follows on from the 4 year-old Nationwide Cyber Technique, which Jarvis stated was too lengthy, unclear in regards to the authorities’s function, and didn’t be express sufficient in what was anticipated from companies.
“Following this yr’s assaults, there may be no-doubt on the actions that should be taken,” stated Jarvis, referring to main incidents on the likes of Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover.
“That’s we’re publishing a Nationwide Cyber Motion Plan. which could have outlined roles and duties for everybody concerned to remain cyber safe. Will probably be a business-first plan – written for companies, written with companies. I can verify at present that we’ve already consulted over 400 particular person companions, throughout enterprise, essential nationwide infrastructure and with worldwide companions.
“The motion plan will set clear expectations for companies, tailor-made to firms of all sizes and revenues. Will probably be a vital a part of our plan to make the UK the toughest potential goal for cyber criminals to function,” stated Jarvis.
The minister added: “I wish to ship a transparent message to cyber criminals that we’re on to you. Daily we’re discovering out extra about who you’re. And we are going to hunt you down, and we are going to deliver you to justice.”
