Research from QBE shows that 95% of UK businesses are using or considering how to use AI, despite the fact that 80% believe cyber threats are increasing and more than half (53%) have suffered a cyber attack. According to QBE’s Control Risk Report, the number of significant UK cyber incidents will jump by 50% by the end of the year.

David Warr, portfolio manager for cyber at QBE Insurance, said: "Businesses are increasingly interconnected, and even the strongest internal cyber security measures can fall short if vulnerabilities exist within their supply chains. It’s essential for organisations to assess and secure their entire IT ecosystem, including third-party partners.

“Artificial Intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities in cyber security. As AI tools become more accessible, cyber criminals are able to execute faster, more widespread attacks. This heightened threat environment requires vigilance and ongoing training. At the same time, when effectively managed, AI can enhance cyber defences by identifying weaknesses and enabling quicker responses.

“Organisations of all sizes, in the UK and globally, must strengthen their cyber resilience – both to prevent threats and to ensure they can respond swiftly and effectively if an attack occurs. You can have the best systems in the world, but these will be vulnerable unless you have regular staff training."

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