UK businesses hit hard by AI-driven cyber threats, says report

New research reveals that nearly three-quarters (71%) of UK businesses have been impacted by AI-powered cyber threats. The findings are part of Darktrace's UK State of AI Cybersecurity Report, which surveyed over 200 security leaders and practitioners across a broad range of industries.

The report highlights several key issues facing UK organisations. A significant 95% of respondents indicated a lack of strong confidence in their ability to defend against AI-powered cyber-attacks. Additionally, 48% of security leaders feel their organisations are not adequately prepared for emerging threats. Concerns about the increased volume and sophistication of AI-driven attacks are chief among the priorities for these stakeholders.

High-profile incidents at major financial institutions such as Barclays and HSBC underscore the pressing nature of these threats. The UK faces the third-highest number of cyber-attacks globally, trailing only behind the US and Ukraine. Compounding the issue, half of UK businesses experienced some form of breach or attack in the last year, with 74% of large enterprises being affected.

In a broader context, the report also compares the preparedness levels of various countries. Security practitioners in Japan (90%) feel the most unprepared for AI-driven threats, followed by Australia (78%) and Germany (78%). Other countries, including the Netherlands, Singapore, and the UAE, also report significant apprehensions. On the whole, the global landscape reveals a near-universal concern regarding the rise of sophisticated AI-powered attacks.

UK businesses are responding by prioritising the integration of AI-driven security tools. Two-thirds (64%) of UK security leaders consider the addition of AI-powered security tools as the top priority to enhance their defences. Furthermore, 98% of respondents believe that AI solutions can significantly improve their defence capabilities. Notably, 72% express significant or extreme confidence in AI's ability to counteract AI-driven threats.

This confidence in AI is supported by the belief that AI-powered solutions will streamline security operations. According to the report, 65% of British security professionals are confident that AI can automatically thwart AI-powered threats, thereby reducing alert fatigue and allowing security teams to concentrate on broader strategic issues.

Platform-based security measures are also gaining traction among UK businesses. A substantial 86% of respondents expressed a preference for acquiring security capabilities as part of a broader platform rather than as individual point products. Additionally, 89% are very confident that platform-oriented approaches are more effective at mitigating threats than isolated security solutions.

Hanah Darley, Darktrace's Head of Threat Research, commented on the findings, stating, "We’ve seen time and time again that cybercriminals are using AI to infiltrate businesses at a faster and more accurate rate. For businesses, it’s becoming a near inevitability that hackers will try to breach their systems—this is shown by three-quarters of those in the UK having already been impacted. The best way forward for security professionals is to play hackers at their own game and embrace AI within security stacks. AI can automate time-consuming tasks, uplifting security teams to be able to think strategically and plan their next line of defences. At a time when the UK is a highly attractive target for attacks on the global stage, there’s no better way to secure a business."

Additionally, 79% of respondents consider reducing the cost and complexity of their cybersecurity stack a key organisational objective. The trend towards adopting platform-based security solutions aims to address these concerns by providing comprehensive, streamlined protective measures.

The report emphasises the critical need for UK businesses to proactively enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure. Integrating AI-powered solutions and adopting platform-based approaches appear to be pivotal strategies for navigating the evolving threat landscape posed by AI-driven cyber attacks.