Spy Boss: Cyber Attacks Reaching Danger Levels

Cyber attacks on the Government, industry and individuals are at disturbing levels, the director of Britain's biggest intelligence agency has warned.

Iain Lobham, of the Government's listening centre GCHQ said the "UK's continued economic well-being" was under serious threat.

Writing in The Times , Mr Lobham said sensitive government data had been targeted as well as defence, technology and engineering firms' designs.

The Foreign Office was hit by "one significant (but unsuccessful) attempt" in the summer, he added.

He was writing ahead of a London conference on cyber-security which will bring together political leaders and technology experts to tackle the issue.

He warned that attempts to steal British ideas and designs to gain commercial advantage were becoming increasingly prevalent.

He wrote: "Such intellectual property theft doesn't just cost the companies concerned: it represents an attack on the UK's continued economic well-being."

Cyber-security is going to be "one of the great challenges" of our day, he added.

"We are witnessing the development of a global criminal marketplace - a parallel black economy where cyber dollars are traded in exchange for UK citizens' credit card details."

Graham Cluley, from IT security firm Sophos, told Sky News Online it can be difficult to establish exactly how often successful attacks occur.

"If an attack was successful, (the victim) may not even know.

"It's easier to cover your tracks - it's not like stealing the Mona Lisa and leaving a gap on the wall.

"It is a serious problem, all businesses and organisations need to properly protect themselves."

Mr Cluley added that the internet is increasingly being seen as the new battleground in global defence measures.

"Those countries already working together on security, like Nato, will be discussing how to protect themselves on the internet as well.

"Sensible steps are what's needed. Let's not panic, but make sure you have all of your pieces in order so you can protect your firm."

Foreign Secretary William Hague, who will address the conference, said attacks were rising exponentially.

"Countries that cannot maintain cyber-security of their banking system, of the intellectual property of their companies, will be at a serious disadvantage in the world."