Trend State threats to the UK increasing and diversifying

Summary

The report defines state threats as actions by foreign governments that stop short of armed conflict but exceed peaceful diplomacy and normal statecraft, harming or endangering the safety or interests of the UK and its allies. The UK has always faced such threats, but fast geopolitical change worldwide is producing a more volatile and contested environment. The emergence of state-aligned actors is also widening the global cyber threat landscape. The report expects the global security environment could worsen in coming years, with state threats both growing and diversifying. These threats can involve acquiring information, physically endangering people, targeting assets and services, interfering from abroad and undermining international freedom and stability. Espionage, cyber attacks, economic measures and interference in democratic institutions are among the methods cited.