NCSC Annual Review 2025
Looking back at the National Cyber Security Centre's ninth year and its key developments and highlights, between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2025.
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Initiate
Innovating for a secure tomorrow.
‘Initiate’ is part of the NCSC’s extensive research portfolio. That portfolio contributes to our advice and guidance, shapes the services we provide and the future products that will continue to protect the UK’s most sensitive information and capabilities.
Bright Sparks
‘Bright Sparks’ is the term we use to describe the innovative products that will be commercialised to significantly improve cyber security. While our focus is predominantly for use across government, some products - such as the two here - may be able to deliver UK-wide value.
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WIRED GLASS
WIRED GLASS is a small, low-cost device that prevents digital video connections being used to attack connected devices. It essentially acts as a firewall ensuring that any data going in either direction, from device to monitor and back again, is what you expect to see. Anything unexpected is blocked. This stops the display cable being used to attack your devices or exfiltrate your data. Using the WIRED GLASS device, a user can (for example) safely connect laptops that contain sensitive information to external projectors or monitors, removing the need for multiple screens on a desk.
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Retransmit
Retransmit is a new hardware sleeve for mobile phones which looks very similar to a normal battery sleeve. The use of the sleeve reduces the risk of baseband attacks from a fake cellphone tower, or when operating in locations where local cell and Wi-Fi connections can’t be trusted. This is achieved by offboarding connections from the mobile phone to dedicated chips within the sleeve, effectively allowing the mobile phone to remain in 'flight mode’.