The State of Threat Intelligence in the UK: What CISOs Need to Know Mid-2025

As we cross the halfway mark of 2025, the UK's cybersecurity landscape has taken a sharp turn into complexity and urgency. The frequency of large-scale attacks, the evolving nature of threats, and the increasing weaponisation of AI point to one undeniable conclusion: organisations, especially in the UK, are operating in a heightened risk environment where real-time intelligence is the only true defence.

At TechForce Cyber, we’ve been closely observing the shifts across industries, particularly in Scotland and the broader UK. From NHS bodies in the Highlands to energy providers in Aberdeen, a common thread emerges: cyber risk is no longer just a tech concern, it’s a boardroom essential.

High-Stakes Breaches Are Becoming the Norm

In the past six months alone, UK organisations have faced a surge in cyber incidents. GCHQ reported more than 200 “nationally significant” cyberattacks, a figure nearly double that of the same period in 2024. Notable breaches at M&S, The Co-operative, and major logistics firms revealed systemic vulnerabilities across both the private and public sectors.

While financial loss often grabs headlines, operational paralysis and reputational damage now have equal weight. At the local level, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, along with several Scottish councils, have publicly disclosed ransomware attempts. These aren’t isolated events, they’re signs of a broader trend.

“There’s a growing pattern of attacks that are not just opportunistic, but coordinated and data-driven,” says Jai Aenugu, CEO of TechForce Cyber. “And the response time and accuracy of threat intelligence will determine which organisations come out stronger, or not at all.

Ransomware and Phishing: Still the Most Reliable Weapons

Phishing remains the most common breach vector. According to UK government reports, 43% of businesses experienced cyber incidents in the past year, and for medium to large enterprises, that figure exceeds 67%.

Ransomware continues to evolve, moving from mass deployment to highly personalised infiltration. AI-generated phishing now accounts for over 65% of email-based attacks, with attackers using language models to generate believable copy at speed and scale. One simulated test found LLM-crafted phishing emails had a 54% click-through rate, compared to just 12% for generic messages.

The implication? Cybersecurity leaders must think beyond traditional endpoint protection and begin investing in tools that detect anomalies in user behaviour, communication tone, and even file structure.

AI-Driven Threats Are the New Frontier

Artificial intelligence is no longer a “nice-to-have” for attackers, it’s table stakes. UK Finance reports that more than £1 billion has been lost to fraud so far this year, and deepfake technology is now being used in internal scams, with attackers mimicking C-suite voices to authorise payments.

In Jai Aenugu’s words:

“The speed of attack creation and distribution using AI is outpacing traditional defence mechanisms. Security needs to become predictive, not reactive. And that starts with intelligence.”

Beyond phishing, AI-generated synthetic media is being used to manipulate brand sentiment. False endorsements, fraudulent partnerships, and misinformation about company performance can now spread at the click of a button.

Infrastructure and State Threats: A National Concern

The risk has also moved below the surface, literally. Intelligence agencies have flagged several suspicious maritime incidents involving the UK’s undersea data cables, which carry 95% of our global internet traffic. The implication of state-sponsored probing, particularly from adversarial regimes, is no longer theoretical.

This is where geopolitical threat intelligence must merge with commercial cybersecurity strategies. Enterprise security teams are being asked to think like national defence planners, because in many cases, they are the first line of response.

Governance, Regulation, and a Cultural Reset

The upcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a critical turning point. Set to enforce mandatory breach disclosures, tighten third-party audit requirements, and impose data-sharing duties, the bill represents a shift from voluntary compliance to legal obligation.

CISOs and business leaders need to prepare not just for threat mitigation, but for governance. That means training, documentation, alignment with national resilience standards, and proactive communication with supply chain partners.

The Next Six Months: What Smart Security Teams Will Do Now

The second half of 2025 will be defined by proactive, intelligence-driven defence. Here’s where we see leading organisations focusing their efforts:

1. Invest in Live Threat Feeds and Anomaly Detection

Adopt platforms that provide actionable threat intelligence in real time. Integrate these into your SIEM or SOAR tools. It’s no longer enough to collect data, you must act on it.

2. Run Phishing Simulations with AI-Generated Content

Train employees with phishing tests that mimic today’s real threats, not yesterday’s tactics. Regular exposure builds awareness and faster reporting culture.

3. Monitor the Dark Web and Brand Mentions

Leverage AI to track if your company is being impersonated or targeted. Tools like BrandGuard and Hive.ai can identify fake domains, stolen credentials, and suspicious media before they go viral.

4. Plan for Deepfake Attacks and Social Engineering

Create protocols for verifying internal voice or video requests. Consider ‘pause and confirm’ escalation procedures for any out-of-band approvals or financial instructions.

5. Push for Security Budget to Include Intelligence

Threat intelligence isn’t just a tech budget item, it’s part of business continuity, PR, legal, and operations. Make that argument at board level.

6. Build a Threat Intelligence Culture

Educate every team, not just IT. From comms to finance, everyone should understand their role in threat identification and escalation.

Final Word

Threat intelligence in 2025 isn’t optional, it’s fundamental. As AI accelerates the pace and precision of attacks, organisations must shift from fragmented, reactive defence to coordinated, anticipatory action.

And this isn’t just a UK-wide imperative. From the banks of the Thames to the hills of Aberdeenshire, the call is the same: security starts with knowing what’s coming, not just responding to what’s happened.

As Jai Aenugu of TechForce Cyber puts it:

“We don’t just need better firewalls, we need better foresight. And that’s what threat intelligence delivers.”