During BT's Secure Tomorrow cybersecurity festival at Adastral Park in Suffolk, alarming data regarding the rise in cyber attacks was presented.

The report revealed a staggering 1,234% increase in malicious internet protocol (IP) scans on BT's network over the past year, highlighting a significant surge in cyber threats across the UK.

BT's monitoring systems are detecting over 2,000 potential cyber attack signals every second, amounting to more than 200 million incidents daily.

Ben Owen, a former spy, warned that AI is lowering the barrier for novice hackers, contributing to the rising volume of cyber attacks.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre has previously stated that AI tools are empowering cyber criminals and facilitating easier attacks.

Web-connected devices are being scanned over 1,000 times daily by known malicious sources, with 78% of these scans aimed at identifying weaknesses.

In response to the escalating threats, BT is evolving its network security to protect over one million businesses and stay ahead of cyber threats.

High-risk industries, particularly healthcare, often lack the budget for top-tier cybersecurity, making them prime targets for ransomware attacks.

Tris Morgan, BT's managing director for security, noted that hackers are continuously probing for vulnerabilities, likening their tactics to those of opportunistic burglars.

The analysis identified the IT, defense, and financial services sectors as the most targeted, while retail, education, and hospitality are increasingly at risk due to perceived security weaknesses.

Cybercriminals are leveraging AI technology to enhance their tactics, making attacks more sophisticated and frequent.

While AI presents new attack vectors, Tris Morgan emphasized that it can also serve as a defense mechanism against cyber threats.