By The KTech team · Published 29 October 2026
What happened
On 8 October 2026 the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) announced a joint advisory with partners in six other countries. Its news item is titled China-linked malicious actors called out by UK and international partners for targeting sensitive data globally.
The advisory names a China-based company, Integrity Technology Group, as having enabled attackers who break into the networks of organisations around the world. The NCSC says they combine automated, AI-assisted scanning with large botnets and hands-on techniques to reach and steal confidential data.
A botnet is a large group of internet-connected devices that have been infected and are controlled remotely. The NCSC points out that it exposed this company as the operator of a substantial botnet in 2024, and that the UK government sanctioned the company last year.
Most of the advisory is aimed at network defenders in larger organisations, but the underlying point applies to everyone: devices that are exposed to the internet and left without updates can be pulled into attacks like these.
What this means for South Hams homes and businesses
- Keep routers, WiFi equipment, CCTV and other internet-connected devices up to date, and install firmware updates when they appear.
- Change every default password, and use a different one for each device.
- If a router or camera no longer receives updates from its maker, plan to replace it. Unsupported kit is a standing risk.
- Switch off remote-access features you do not use, so the device is not reachable from the wider internet unnecessarily.
- Know what is on your network. A quick list of devices makes it much easier to spot something that should not be there.
Source: NCSC, China-linked malicious actors called out by UK and international partners for targeting sensitive data globally, published 8 October 2026. Accessed 29 October 2026.
This is our own summary. For the full detail, please read the source above.