AI is changing cyber security in two directions at once: it is giving businesses new tools to detect and respond to threats, and at the same time, it is giving attackers the ability to scale those threats faster, cheaper and with far more precision than before.
That imbalance is becoming more visible, according to recent industry reporting. There is a growing gap between how quickly AI-driven threats are evolving and how prepared organisations are to deal with them.
Training, rather than tooling, is emerging as one of the most important factors in closing that gap.
The rise of AI-driven attacks
Cyber attacks have always evolved alongside technology, of course, but AI has accelerated that process.
Attackers are now using AI to automate reconnaissance, generate convincing phishing messages and mimic legitimate user behaviour at scale. What used to require time and expertise can now be produced instantly and deployed across thousands of targets.
And this is not theoretical. Industry data shows that AI-related vulnerabilities are increasing rapidly, with 87% of organisations reporting a rise in AI-driven risks and more than a third experiencing data leaks connected to generative AI tools.
At the same time, concern among smaller businesses is rising. Around 35% of UK SMEs now identify AI-generated attacks as their top cyber threat, reflecting how quickly the risk profile has shifted and that AI has lowered the barrier to entry for attackers while increasing the sophistication of their methods.
SMEs and the supply chain problem
For SMEs, the challenge is compounded by their position in wider supply chains. Large organisations are increasingly well-defended but smaller suppliers often are not, making them an attractive entry point.
Recent reporting shows that 61% of businesses experienced a supply chain breach in the past year, with many incidents causing operational or financial damage.
The reason is simple: access granted to suppliers, partners and third parties creates an extended attack surface. Once an attacker gains a foothold, they can move laterally into larger environments.
For SMEs, this creates a difficult position. They are both a target in their own right and a potential gateway into something larger.
Technology alone is not enough to address this. One of the biggest constraints facing organisations today is capability. Many SMEs are still at an early stage of AI adoption, often held back by a lack of skills, confidence or time.
That gap is significant. While nearly 80% of SMEs are investing in AI for growth and efficiency, the ability to use it securely and effectively remains uneven.
Why AI training is becoming critical
The expansion of AI training programmes in the UK reflects a growing recognition that skills need to catch up with technology. Government-backed initiatives aim to provide free AI training to millions of workers, with a focus on practical, real-world application rather than theoretical knowledge.
This matters because effective cyber security is no longer just about tools. It depends on:
- recognising AI-generated threats
- understanding how AI systems handle data
- identifying unsafe or unapproved usage
- knowing when automation introduces risk rather than reducing it
Without that awareness, even well-configured systems can be undermined by everyday behaviour.
There is another side to this. The same technology being used by attackers can also be used defensively.
Fighting AI with AI
AI-powered security tools are already improving detection speed, identifying anomalies earlier and reducing response times.
This creates an arms race. Attackers are using AI to scale attacks. Defenders are using AI to detect and respond more effectively. The organisations that succeed are those that combine both technology and capability.
Relying on one without the other creates gaps.
The supply chain blind spot
Supply chain risk remains one of the most under-addressed areas in cyber security. Organisations often assess their own systems in detail but have limited visibility into the security posture of their partners. That creates what is sometimes referred to as “inheritance risk” – exposure that comes from trusted relationships rather than direct vulnerabilities.
Recent data shows that 65% of organisations now see supply chain risk as their primary cyber concern, yet only a minority have full visibility into those ecosystems.
AI compounds this issue. It enables attackers to exploit trust relationships more effectively, whether through impersonation, automated phishing or manipulation of shared systems.
For SMEs, this reinforces the importance of being secure not just for their own sake, but as part of a wider network.
A Dr Logic perspective
AI is changing cyber security in a fundamental way.
The threat landscape is becoming faster, more automated and more difficult to detect using traditional approaches. At the same time, the tools available to defend against those threats are becoming more capable.
Skills, awareness and training are now as important as technology. Organisations that invest in both are better positioned to adapt as the landscape continues to shift.
For SMEs in particular, the focus should extend beyond individual systems to the wider supply chain. Security is no longer contained within organisational boundaries.
If your organisation is exploring how AI fits into its security strategy, Dr Logic can help ensure that both your technology and your team are aligned to manage the risks that come with it.
