BT Detects 2,000 Potential Cyber-Attacks Every Second on Its Network

BT reports a big jump in cyber-attacks, detecting 2,000 threats every second. Criminals use AI bots to target various industries.

BT, a big phone and internet company in Britain, has some startling news about cyber-attacks. They said they are spotting 2,000 possible attacks every second on their network. This is a huge rise because criminals are using new tools to break through security.

In July, the number of attacks using bad bots went up by 1,200% compared to last year. These bots are like automatic scanners that look for weaknesses in computer systems. 

Tris Morgan, who is in charge of security at BT, said that hackers are now targeting many different industries. They are going after retail stores, schools, hotels, as well as defense and financial services.

BT shared this information at their Secure Tomorrow cybersecurity event. They also showed their latest technology to keep communications safe and to use AI to defend against cyber-attacks.

The company found that web-connected devices are being scanned more than 1,000 times a day by known bad sources. While some scans are part of regular security checks, 78% of them are harmful. BT also found a 1,234% increase in new malicious scanners over the past year. This rise is partly because more criminals are using AI-powered bots to find security problems.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that AI tools are making it easier for criminals to launch attacks. According to BT’s research, IT, defense, and financial services are the top targets. However, other areas like retail, schools, and hotels are also being targeted because they often have weaker security.

BT shared this data during their Secure Tomorrow cybersecurity event at their research center in Adastral Park, Suffolk. Tris Morgan said, “Every business today is a digital business. Our data shows that every 90 seconds, hackers are trying to find a way into connected devices—like burglars looking for an open window.”

Morgan also said that while AI can be used for attacks, it can also help protect against them. BT is always updating its security to protect over a million businesses every day.