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Over 40% of UK firms suffered cyber attack last year, survey finds

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 30, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 30, 2026

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Over 40% of UK firms suffered cyber attack last year, survey finds

Survey: Over 40% of UK Firms Hit by Cyber Attacks in 2025/26

Key Findings from the 2025/26 Cyber Security Breaches Survey

Overview of Cyber Attacks on UK Businesses

LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - More than two-fifths of British businesses suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months, the same figure as for the previous year, according to a government survey published on Thursday.

Approximately 612,000 businesses reported at least one cyber breach or attack in 2025/26, the government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey found.

Statistics and Trends

• 43% of businesses reported a breach or attack in 2025/26, with the most common breach or attack being phishing attacks, suffered by 38% - both the same figures as for 2024/25

• There has been a decrease in prevalence among businesses since 2023/24, when 50% experienced a breach or attack

Government Response and Warnings

• Britain's minister for cyber security urged business leaders to take action now, especially as AI is making the threat more acute.

• The head of Britain's cyber security agency warned last week of a potential rise in cyber attacks linked to hostile states. Ministers have also sent an open letter to business warning about AI-related cyber threats.

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan )

Key Takeaways

  • 43% of UK businesses (~612,000) reported a cyber‑attack in 2025/26, unchanged from 2024/25, but down from 50% in 2023/24 (gov.uk)
  • Phishing was both the most prevalent and most disruptive attack—affecting 37% of all businesses and cited by 65% of those impacted (gov.uk)
  • AI‑powered and state‑sponsored cyber‑attacks are rising: 48% of businesses suffered AI‑powered attacks, and 54% reported state‑sponsored attacks (techradar.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of UK businesses suffered a cyber attack in 2025/26?
43% of UK businesses reported experiencing at least one cyber breach or attack in 2025/26.
What was the most common type of cyber attack reported?
Phishing attacks were the most common, affecting 38% of UK businesses.
Has the prevalence of cyber attacks on UK businesses changed since previous years?
Yes, there has been a decrease since 2023/24, when 50% experienced an attack, compared to 43% in 2025/26.
Are AI-related threats a concern in the report?
Yes, ministers and cybersecurity officials highlighted increased risks from AI-powered cyber attacks.
What actions were recommended for UK businesses?
Business leaders were urged to take action to improve cyber security in light of persistent and evolving threats.

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