Retailers in the firing line as cyber crooks signficantly increase scouting raids on UK businesses

Cyber criminals are stepping up their surveillance of British businesses, scanning online devices more than 4,000 times a day to identify gaps in security, according to network data released by BT. 

Malicious scouting raids, which increasingly use automated ‘bots’ to look for weaknesses across organisations’ networks, have risen 300% in the last 12 months as hackers zero in on web connected devices.

This can range from company laptops and mobile phones through to IoT devices such as office security cameras. Once a system vulnerability has been identified, it can lead to the launch of a cyber attack such as ransomware, which can compromise an entire business.    

BT’s data shows that professional services such as accountancy, legal and consultancy firms are the most targeted sector for ransomware attacks, followed by retail businesses. The hospitality and leisure sector is the third largest victim in the last year, as criminals look to exploit valuable guest data and payment details.

Ransomware hits smaller businesses the hardest, with firms employing fewer than 25 staff the most targeted group for attacks. 

CrowdStrike tie up

BT has partnered with cybersecurity specialist CrowdStrike to launch BT Business Antivirus Detect and Respond.

Powered by CrowdStrike Falcon Go, the service leverages CrowdStrike’s AI native technology to stop threats before they become breaches. Available exclusively in the UK with BT, it aims to extend the same AI powered cybersecurity used by the world’s largest enterprises to smaller businesses.

The launch comes as CrowdStrike’s State of SMB Cybersecurity Survey reveals only 11% of small businesses use AI in their defences, even as cybercriminals increasingly weaponise AI to scale their attacks. In March, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre said “keeping pace with frontier AI capabilities” would be key to being resilient against threats in the next decade. 

Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer at BT Business, says: “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, says: “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.” 

RTIH AI in Retail Awards

RTIH proudly presents the first edition of its AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.

This is now open for entries. Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Check out categories and entry forms here.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.