UK Firms Face Surge in State-Sponsored Cyberattacks as AI Amplifies Threats A new report from cybersecurity firm Armis reveals that 54% of UK businesses experienced state-sponsored cyberattacks in 2025 a sharp rise from 47% the previous year. The findings, detailed in the 2026 Armis Cyberwarfare Report, draw from interviews with nearly 2,000 global IT decision-makers and proprietary threat data. The report highlights growing concerns over geopolitical tensions, with 80% of respondents citing the current political climate as a major driver of state-backed cyber risks, up from 74% in 2024. Nearly all (92%) fear the potential fallout of full-scale cyber warfare, while 76% believe critical infrastructure remains highly vulnerable to nation-state threats. Generative AI (GenAI) is further complicating the landscape, with 69% of IT leaders warning that its weaponization could prolong and intensify cyber conflicts. Nearly half (48%) reported falling victim to AI-powered attacks in the past year. While AI also offers defensive potential, many organizations remain unprepared: 45% lack the expertise to deploy AI-driven security tools, and 46% cite budget constraints as a barrier. Armis CTO Nadir Izrael noted that attackers are leveraging machine-speed tactics, while defenses often rely on outdated strategies. The convergence of nation-state capabilities, AI acceleration, and persistent security gaps, he warned, means many firms now face an inevitable cyber warfare threat raising questions about their readiness to respond.