General Sir David Richards, the new head of the Armed Forces, has used his first public speech to voice concern at the UKs preparedness for a cyber attack.

Richards said: “The UK’s trade is now so dominated by financial services that the internet is as vital to us today as shipping routes were a century ago.”

The general went on to point out that a cyber attack had potential to paralyse the country more effectively than an aerial bombardment and suggested Britain was “behind the curve” on addressing the threat.

Richards comments come in the aftermath of the recent Strategic Defence Review which was described as a “way point” toward reshaping the military.

It could ultimately see the RAF switching their role from the defence of airspace to cyberspace.