Criminals now scanning business devices 4,000-plus times per day

Malicious scouting raids, which increasingly use automated ‘bots’ to look for weaknesses across organisations’ networks, have risen by 300% in the last 12 months as hackers zero-in on web-connected devices.

The latter can range from company laptops and mobile phones through to Internet of Things devices such as office security cameras. Once a system vulnerability has been identified, that can lead to the launch of a cyber attack, which may compromise an entire business.

BT’s new data shows that professional services providers including accountancy, legal and consultancy firms are the most targeted when it comes to ransomware attacks, followed by retail businesses. The hospitality and leisure sector is third on the list of top targets as criminals look to exploit valuable guest data and payment details.

Ransomware hits smaller businesses the hardest, with firms employing fewer than 25 staff the most targeted group for attacks.

BT and CrowdStrike 

In order to help businesses remain ahead of evolving cyber risks, BT has partnered with global cyber security business CrowdStrike to launch BT Business Anti-Virus Detect and Respond. Powered by CrowdStrike Falcon Go, the service leverages CrowdStrike’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)-native technology to proactively stop threats before they become breaches.

Available exclusively in the UK with BT, the service extends the same AI-powered cyber security trusted by the world’s largest enterprises to smaller businesses, helping every organisation to defend against today’s adversaries.

The launch comes as CrowdStrike’s State of SMB Cyber Security Survey reveals that only 11% of small businesses use AI in their defences, even though cyber criminals are increasingly ‘weaponising’ AI to scale their attacks.

In March, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre stated that keeping pace with frontier AI capabilities is key when it comes to being resilient against threats in the next decade.

Under attack 

Chris Sims, chief commercial officer at BT Business, said: “Cyber crime is a threat to all businesses, not just the household names that make the headlines when they’re hacked. Although small businesses often don’t consider themselves prime targets, they’re under attack like never before, with cyber criminals increasingly using AI to scan for and then exploit vulnerabilities. We’re committed to delivering leading technologies that secure organisations of all sizes, in turn enabling them to focus on growing their business.”

Daniel Bernard, chief business officer at CrowdStrike, added: “Adversaries are ‘weaponising’ AI to launch faster and more targeted attacks. BT’s data shows the scale of that threat is only accelerating. At CrowdStrike, we’ve harnessed AI to stop breaches before they happen. Together with BT, we’re bringing that same AI-powered protection and expertise to UK SMEs, affording them the power to stay ahead of even the most sophisticated adversaries.”

The launch represents a further expansion of BT’s range of cyber security resources for UK businesses following the introduction of its cloud-based threat protection solution Complete Cloud Secure and Security Awareness Training, designed to help companies build their cyber strength.

Small business owners can also visit BT’s Cyber Security Decoded website, which features simple guides and expert tips on how to protect people, services and data from today’s cyber threats.