Is Your Data as Secure as You Think in 2025? The Rising Impact of AI on Cyber Security

The peace of mind and security that comes from knowing that your organisation’s data is safe can be immeasurable. Our collective reliance on data and information across every business, industry and our personal lives has been one of the defining tech elements of this century so far, and it shows no signs of slowing down.  

This makes it incredibly important that decision makers within a company reach the level of comfort and satisfaction where a data security strategy is as robust, up to date and proactive as it can possibly be.  

A recent Microsoft report highlighted that the overwhelming majority are happy with the strategy they have. It stated that 74% were satisfied with their security solutions, and perhaps more significantly, 89% were confident that they can effectively prevent sensitive company data being stolen or moved without permission. 

However, there is information that strongly suggests that this could be a huge oversight on their part. And the data security developments of 2025 are quickly demonstrating how complacency can lead to catastrophe.  

Mind the Gap – A New Threat Landscape  

The emerging gap between the actual threat landscape that modern organisations find themselves and the one they are prepared for is an alarming sign for data security professionals.  

The reasons for this could, in part, be accredited to some interesting statistics that show how the sheer number of attacks seems to have plateaued after a five-year rise, with 50% of UK businesses reporting a security breach or attack in both 2023 & 2024. At a glance this may suggest that security practices, software tools and the increasing cybersecurity awareness of the workforce are beginning to wrestle the control away from bad actors. 

These statistics should serve as a cautious reminder of the new cybersecurity world that we find ourselves in. Importantly, the same Microsoft report also highlights the severity of these attacks, and that information tells a different story with a rise to 27% in 2024 from 20% in 2023. All signs are suggesting that this worrying trend looks set to increase in 2025, too. 

AI Increases Attack Surfaces 

The pace at which Artificial Intelligence has been adopted and valuably integrated into business solutions has been astonishing over the last two years. There can be no disputing the that advantages in efficiency and benefits for resource management and decision making represent some game-changing transformations across hundreds of industries, but it has also given rise to new dangers. And many of those dangers are directly responsible for the new spate of severe attacks that organisations are having to defend themselves against. 

When technology such as AI is so widely used in such a short space of time it can take a little while for regulation and cybersecurity practices to properly catch up. This has ultimately led to new vulnerabilities appearing and the various ways that you can be attacked becoming more targeted and sophisticated with AI at the core. 

Lessons to Learn 

In 2024 a well-respected British engineering firm with over half a century of history behind them became the victim of a remarkable cybersecurity attack that demonstrates how difficult this whole area has become. 

Advanced AI technology was used to create deepfake videos and audio of the company’s CFO and other senior leaders of the business. The cybercriminals used these to instruct remote company staff to authorise multiple financial transfers of almost £20 Million before the attack was uncovered and halted. 

Fortunately, this was resolved before that their internal systems had been compromised and at extracted but the methods were clear to see and learn from, on a much wider scale. 

The Cyber Security AI Arms Race 

BT has recently reported that it is identifying an astonishing 2000 cyberattack signals every second amidst what they refer to as an AI Arms race between cyber security protocol and AI-driven hackers. 

These attacks can take several forms, and it always helps to understand more about them to manage your own exposure and vulnerabilities accordingly. 

AI Malware

AI capability has allowed for the creation of much more adaptive malware that can evade traditional cybersecurity measures. The ability to learn and repeat attacks makes this a particular threat and it also effectively lowers the bar for the knowledge required by the hacker, opening up the opportunity for a flood of new bad actors. 

Remote Access Tools 

Unauthorised access using remote tools to take control and steal data is often the ultimate goal of a cyberattack. AI has increased the levels of sophistication for these tools that allows them to conduct surveillance mimicking legitimate use and traffic on an IT system to evade detection until it is too late. 

Data Poisoning 

This is one of the most sophisticated uses of AI and potentially the most difficult to detect. Malicious or corrupt data from outside your organisation is inserted into your Machine Learning or Large Language Modelling datasets. These can then cause systems to behave in unintended ways with false information that makes targeted cyberattacks easier to carry out, undetected. 

Unauthorised Use of AI Applications 

It’s quickly becoming an impossible challenge to prevent the unauthorised use of AI applications by any workforce. The easy access and instant value these apps can offer to many roles and tasks makes them a valuable tool for people and an easy target for cyber criminals. This represents a potential blind spot for data security across all devices on ungoverned apps. 

Risk Mitigation & Management

One of the most telling outcomes of the Microsoft report regarding current cybersecurity solutions and readiness was the fragmented use of separate cybersecurity tools. On average an SME is currently using between 9-11 different solutions, with larger companies implementing up to 14. 

It’s easy to see how this fragmented approach greatly increases the complexity and potential vulnerability to attacks. Indeed, the report data showed that businesses with 10 or fewer tools suffered around a third less data security incidents than those with 11 or above. 

Working towards a cohesive data security strategy for 2025 without employing a single platform, or provider, then becomes an arduous and time-consuming task with ongoing research, development and testing required.  

Awareness, Understanding & Training 

As ever, the most effective protection against the emerging threats from AI powered cyber attacks is through your people. Creating a vigilant culture across your entire workforce with access to up-to-date resources, training materials and support will always be your simplest and strongest line of defence. 

BCN & Data Security 

BCN understands that a cyberattack is more than just an attack on your organisation, it can have an impact on your people, your stakeholders, your customers and your reputation. 

The BCN Cyber Security team takes the responsibility of preventing any attack very seriously. It represents one of the core values of our status as amongst the most trusted technology partners in the UK. 

Our own BCN Cybersecurity Pledge demonstrates this commitment with an aim of levelling 100% of our customers to a recommended level of cybersecurity posture as standard.  

Cyber Security Audit 

Contact the BCN Cyber Security Team to arrange your Cyber Security Audit and understand more about how we can help as your dedicated technology partner. We are always happy to talk and ready to assist you bolster your defence and deliver the most futureproof solution possible.