BT expands AI-driven cybersecurity services following rise in UK business device scans

Data from BT indicates a rise in cyber reconnaissance activities targeting UK businesses, with automated bots conducting over 4,000 daily scans of connected devices to detect network vulnerabilities.

These scanning activities have increased by 300% within a year, focusing on devices ranging from company-provided laptops and mobile phones to Internet of Things (IoT) equipment like office security cameras. Identified weaknesses can serve as entry points for cyberattacks such as ransomware, potentially compromising entire organizations.

According to BT’s data, professional service firms—including accountancy, legal, and consultancy entities—experience the highest frequency of ransomware incidents, followed by retail businesses and then hospitality and leisure operators. Smaller businesses, particularly those with fewer than 25 employees, appear more frequently targeted in these attacks.

In response to these findings, BT introduced a cybersecurity service for businesses, developed in collaboration with CrowdStrike. This service, named BT Business Detect and Respond, incorporates CrowdStrike Falcon® Go, which utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and mitigate cyber threats proactively.

Chris Sims, chief commercial officer at BT Business, said, “Cybercrime is a threat to all businesses, not just the household names that make headlines when they get hacked. Although small businesses often don't consider themselves prime targets, they’re under attack like never before, as cybercriminals increasingly use AI to scan for and exploit vulnerabilities. We’re committed to delivering leading technologies that secure organisations of all sizes, enabling them to focus on growing their business.” Daniel Bernard, chief business officer at CrowdStrike said, “Adversaries are weaponising AI to launch faster, more targeted attacks – and 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 small and medium-sized businesses, giving them the power to stay ahead of even the most sophisticated adversaries.”

The service launch expands BT's cybersecurity offerings for UK companies, adding to its existing solutions like Complete Cloud Secure and Security Awareness Training, which are designed to enhance organizations' cyber defenses. BT also provides resources including guides and expert advice through its Cyber Security Decoded website.