MI5 Chief Ken McCallum warns of new strategic security shocks

MI5 Ken McCallum national security terrorism hybrid warfare

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum has warned that intelligence services must prepare for a new type of strategic shock that may not resemble the September 11 attacks. Writing in The Independent to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, McCallum emphasized that security agencies must avoid the trap of preparing for yesterday's enemies using outdated methods.

McCallum noted that while Al Qaeda remains a threat, the security landscape has become significantly more complex. He highlighted a recent foiled Islamist plot targeting the Jewish community in Manchester as evidence of ongoing extremist ambitions. Furthermore, he warned of rising state-backed aggression, including sabotage and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like power stations.

He pointed out that, unlike in 2001, many essential systems and services are now managed by the private sector. This shift necessitates closer cooperation between governments, businesses, and academia to address vulnerabilities and ensure rapid responses during crises. McCallum also referenced the dual threat of returning state-level actors and persistent terrorist groups, describing the current environment as one where 'dragons have returned, and snakes are still among us.'

Entities

Al Qaeda · Al-Qaeda · China · Ken McCallum · MI5 · Manchester · Russia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] China is becoming increasingly aggressive in competition for resources and trade routes. wiadomosci.onet.pl
[● 7 SOURCES] Many critical systems and services are now managed by the private sector. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · libertas.mk · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Russia is conducting hybrid warfare against the West through sabotage and espionage. wiadomosci.onet.pl
[● 8 SOURCES] Intelligence services must adapt to modern threats rather than focusing solely on past methods. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · +3 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Al Qaeda remains a threat despite being diminished. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · www.cnn.gr
[● 6 SOURCES] MI5 is facing increased state-backed aggression, including sabotage and cyberattacks. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The next strategic shock will not resemble the previous one. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] A foiled Islamist plot recently targeted the Jewish community in Manchester. www.businessdaily.gr · cde.news · www.sigmalive.com · www.tanea.gr · wiadomosci.onet.pl · +1 more