CyXcel research discovers a third of UK businesses at AI risk

Research by cybersecurity consultancy CyXcel has revealed 29% of UK businesses surveyed have only recently implemented their first AI risk strategy, with 31% not no AI governance policies set up. The is despite a third of businesses recognising AI as a potential cybersecurity threat. The blind spot in AI risk preparedness leaves businesses prey to data leaks and breaches, operational disruptions, and regulatory fines, the company says.

Of those surveyed, 18% of UK and US organisations are unprepared for AI data poisoning, a form of cyberattack that targets the training data of AI and machine learning models. Moreover, 16% have no policies in place to fight cloning and deepfake incidents.

Megha Kumar, Chief Product Officer and Head of Geopolitical Risk at CyXcel, stated there is a catch 22 situation, where companies want to adopt AI solutions but simultaneously worry about its risks. “Organisations want to use AI but are worried about risks – especially as many do not have a policy and governance process in place.”

He said CyXcel’s Digital Risk Management (DRM) platform can help respond to mounting threats. “The CyXcel DRM provides clients in all sectors, especially those that have limited technological resources in house, with a robust tool to proactively manage digital risk and harness AI confidently and safely.”

The CyXcel DRM platform is designed to provide businesses with insight into growing AI risks. It combines cyber, legal, technical, and strategic expertise to help manage threats and improve digital resilience. The company says its DRM platform also helps implement governance and policies that will mitigate possible risks.