The UK’s largest telecommunications provider has revealed that its platforms detect approximately 2,000 potential cyberattacks every second, highlighting the increasing threats to businesses and essential services.
According to BT Group, malicious entities scan devices connected to the internet around 1,000 times per day, meaning cyber threats surface roughly every 90 seconds.
BT’s report underscores the seriousness of these threats, noting that over 75 percent of the scans are far from harmless. These scans typically represent hackers actively probing for vulnerabilities in the online systems of companies across various sectors.
Industries such as IT, defense, and financial services remain frequent targets, but according to BT, the hospitality and retail sectors are also increasingly at risk.
A key finding from the report is hackers’ widespread use of one-time disposable bots. These bots are designed to obscure the source of the cyberattacks, and BT registered a 1,234 percent rise in new internet protocol (IP) addresses involved in scanning attempts over a year. This suggests a sophisticated and growing effort to breach systems across various industries.
BT’s findings align with broader research showing that UK businesses are expected to increase their technology investments by 31 percent in 2024. However, this growth has not been matched by equivalent improvements in cybersecurity measures.
The telecommunications company warns that many businesses are expanding their networks and adding connected devices without adequately updating their cybersecurity strategies, leaving them highly vulnerable to attack.
The increasing number of cyberattacks also mirrors trends across Europe, with officials attributing a rise in attacks to Russian-linked groups. Earlier this year, Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), reported a doubling of cyberattacks originating from Russian-based groups between late 2023 and early 2024.
Lepassaar suggested these digital assaults are part of Russia’s broader aggression, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the physical conflict rages in Ukraine, Russia has been accused of waging a simultaneous digital war across Europe.
As cyber threats continue evolving and scaling, BT’s findings highlight the urgent need for businesses to invest in technology and prioritize comprehensive cybersecurity measures. The growing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks suggest that organizations across all sectors must remain vigilant and proactive in defending their systems from these persistent digital threats.