'Al-Qaeda plans cyber war against Britain'

Britain faces growing threat from the al-Qaeda, which is on track to launch a cyber-warfare campaign against the country, UK's Security Minister has warned.

Lord West warned that al-Qaeda is intent on using the internet to launch a cyber-warfare campaign against Britain.

"We know terrorists use the internet for radicalisation and things like that at the moment, but there is a fear they will move down that path (of cyber attacks)," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph newspaper today.

Britain's Security Minister issued the warning as he published the Government's new Cyber Security Strategy to combat the cyber-warfare threats.

"As their ability to use the web and the net grows, there will be more opportunity for these attacks," Lord West underlined.

The minister said among the key targets include key businesses, the national power grid, financial markets and Whitehall departments. The government plans to set up a new Office for Cyber Security to co-ordinate its policy to constantly monitor, analyse and counter cyber attacks, the report in the British daily said.

Lord West confirmed that the UK has already faced cyber attacks from foreign states such as Russia and China. The head of MI5, Jonathan Evans, has also warned business and legal firms of the rise in the online threat from Chinese state organisations.