The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it was targeted by a cyberattack, prompting an urgent investigation and renewed concerns over government cyber security. Officials said the breach was detected quickly and that systems were secured, with ministers stressing they are “fairly confident” that individual or sensitive personal data has not been compromised.
According to government sources, the attack affected parts of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s IT infrastructure rather than frontline diplomatic operations. While the full scope of the intrusion is still being assessed, officials said there is no evidence at this stage of classified material being accessed.
The Cabinet Office and National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are supporting the response, and affected systems have been isolated as a precaution. Ministers declined to attribute the attack to a specific state or group but acknowledged that foreign interference and hostile cyber activity remain a persistent threat to UK institutions.
Opposition figures have called for transparency and a review of cyber resilience across government departments, warning that even limited breaches can undermine public trust and diplomatic security. The incident comes amid heightened global tensions and follows a series of cyber incidents targeting Western governments and critical infrastructure.
The Foreign Office said it continues to work with security agencies to assess any potential impact and strengthen defences, adding that protecting government data and communications remains a top priority.
