More than a quarter (26%) of UK business leaders are not using AI to improve security
More than half of businesses have fallen victim to a cyber attack, and 50% of UK leaders are concerned about their team’s ability to manage AI threats
91% of UK business leaders say AI is a priority for the next two years
london, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — More than half of UK business leaders are unprepared for the threat posed by advanced AI-powered cyber threats, new research has revealed. Hornet security by Proofpointa leading cybersecurity company.
More than 50% of companies say they are unsure whether their organization has the expertise to prevent AI-powered attacks.
The survey of 500 business leaders across the UK found that 54% of respondents (up from 45% two years ago) said cyber-attacks were on the rise. More than 50% of companies say they are unsure whether they have the expertise to prevent AI-powered attacks.
The findings also highlight that: More than half of UK business leaders have been victims of a cyberattackand 79% of respondents He said he believes AI has made cybersecurity attacks more sophisticated.
Commenting on the survey results: Daniel HoffmanCEO of Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint, “Cyberattacks are on the rise, and advanced AI tools are only accelerating the threat,” he said. “While 69% of businesses have incorporated AI into their defenses, it is very concerning that one-third have not yet. It is now more important than ever that businesses recognize the need to incorporate AI into their security strategies so they can stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated AI attacks.”
AI is benefiting attackers
AI is rapidly becoming more sophisticated and is being effectively exploited by cyber attackers and threat actors. This technology allows highly sophisticated malicious attacks to be automated and developed on a global scale, increasing the number of attacks and victims.
The double-edged sword of AI poses challenges for experts in a variety of fields, including: 42% of UK respondents see AI as a positive opportunitythe majority of enterprises have not yet implemented it effectively enough, giving attackers an opportunity to gain an advantage.
Even though AI defense technology is at the forefront of cybersecurity, significant gaps in adoption remain. Enterprises are still not taking full advantage of these advanced defenses available. Surprisingly, More than a quarter (26%) of UK business leaders are not yet leveraging AI to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. Meanwhile, cyberattackers are using modern AI to their advantage, effectively lowering the barrier to entry and fueling an increase in sophisticated attacks.
Phishing, deepfakes, and compromised emails
Email continues to be the primary communication mechanism for many organizations. This means that business leaders are most concerned about AI-powered phishing attacks. 57% of UK respondents said it was their main worry. AI is facilitating malicious activities that trick people into revealing sensitive personal and business information, as attackers can create highly personalized phishing emails at scale.
Companies are also increasingly concerned about: Likelihood of using deepfakes (40%) These technologies become more accessible and create new opportunities for attackers, enabling them to carry out cyberattacks.
Deepfakes not only enable attacks, but also pose serious risks through misinformation and media manipulation, posing a growing threat to enterprise security. Therefore, detecting and preventing its use is an important issue and requires vigilance, education, and strong security measures.
Invest in AI for the future
Despite the challenges, AI continues to prove its value by playing a critical role in enhancing cybersecurity efforts. largely Two-thirds (61%) of UK business leaders have successfully used AI to reduce cybersecurity threats. In the past year.
The success of AI in preventing cyberattacks is driving a shift in business priorities. AI will become a technology of focus for the majority of companies in the coming years. Almost all business leaders surveyed in the UK (91%) said investing in AI is a priority for the next one to two years.demonstrating a strong commitment to the future. However, this change must be accompanied by investment in people. Many leaders are Concerned about whether internal teams can manage these threats (50%)highlighting the cyber skills gap that exists in many companies.
The next step for cyber resilience in the age of AI
Looking ahead, most leaders see AI as an opportunity in cybersecurity. 90% of UK business leaders agree that the role of AI in cybersecurity will grow in importance over the next five years. These results point to a future where integrating AI into a company’s cybersecurity strategy will be essential.
Mr. Hoffman added: “For businesses, this message has never been clearer: Leverage AI for cybersecurity today, because attackers are already doing it. To achieve strong cyber resilience, cyber awareness must be a top priority. In addition to working with trusted vendors and managed service providers, ongoing employee training can help organizations prepare for evolving threats.” Training can further enhance this by automating and personalizing the experience, making it more engaging, efficient and effective. In today’s threat landscape, continuous investment in new technology and strengthening your defenses is not an option, but a necessity.”
Note to editors:
The survey was conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2026 among a sample of 500 UK business leaders.
About Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint
Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint is a business unit of Proofpoint that leverages the Hornetsecurity suite of products specifically for managed service providers (MSPs) and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), delivering next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions to help businesses and organizations of all sizes around the world. Its flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 on the market. Driven by innovation and cybersecurity excellence, Hornetsecurity is building a safer digital future and sustainable security culture with its award-winning portfolio. Hornetsecurity operates in more than 120 countries through an international distribution network of more than 12,000 channel partners and MSPs. Its premium services are used by over 125,000 customers. For more information, please visit: www.hornetsecurity.com.
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Most business leaders are concerned about AI-generated phishing.
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