Microsoft UK is reportedly claiming that the United Kingdom's efforts and strategies in strengthening the government's defenses against cyber attacks have become the "key" to improving the country's cybersecurity position.
Paul Kelly, director of security for Microsoft UK, attributes this improvement to the UK's numerous interventions around vital national infrastructure across departments, strategies, the nation's National Cyber Strategy, its ten-year plan, and the practical advice provided by the National Cyber Security Center of the country, which assists small and large enterprises alike.
As per Kelly, echoing Microsoft's Digital Defense Report for 2023, the UK is the second most cyber-attacked nation in Europe, with Ukraine taking the top spot; thus, it remains important to maintain the UK's favorable position against cyber attacks.
(Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP via Getty Images) France is facing a surge in cyberattacks just ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics.
However, data by Microsoft and Goldsmiths University indicates that despite the country's improvement in cybersecurity, only 13% of UK firms are "resilient" to cyberattacks.
According to reports, 39% of UK organizations fall into the high-risk category because of traits like a lack of leadership engagement, a large skills gap, and inadequate investment in R&D and technology. 48% of the businesses, on the other hand, were ranked under the vulnerable category.
Businesses are then recommended to include artificial intelligence (AI) in their cyber defenses since hackers increasingly use AI to increase the volume and quality of their attacks.
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AI Cybersecurity
Kelly says that the same AI tools can assist executives in strengthening organizational security and regaining control of the situation. AI can reportedly both increase the security of the company and its data and decrease the negative effects of a cyberattack on their financial results.
Although the UK leads the world in cybersecurity, much more work must be done to protect businesses and the potential £52 billion yearly dividend that may significantly impact the country's economy.
The businesses' cybersecurity vulnerability is the most obvious weakness in the UK's goal of becoming a key leader in AI.
AI in cybersecurity has recently gained traction on both ends of the cyber spectrum, with Microsoft recently unveiling an April 1 release date for its AI-powered cybersecurity tool. After carefully testing the cybersecurity tool for almost a year, the IT giant hopes to improve and automate cybersecurity-related warnings, summaries, and several IT chores in a matter of seconds.
According to Microsoft, the new AI tool is a generative AI-powered security solution that upholds responsible AI principles and increases the efficacy and capacity of defenders to enhance security outcomes at machine speed and scale.
AI Cybercrime
AI has also long been shown to provide hackers with unwanted benefits. It has been alleged that ChatGPT copies have been uploaded to the dark web, allowing for a fresh round of highly hazardous AI-powered assaults.
Attacks are reportedly occurring at a rate of seconds and minutes instead of days or weeks, which is far faster than humans can detect and respond to.
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(Photo: Tech Times)
