Supply chains can involve thousands of vendors , who too often are the entry point for malware , ransomware or denial of service attacks , which then work their way upstream or downstream to important companies , organisations and public service providers .
In June , for example , three major London hospitals were hit by a back-door ransomware cyberattack that wreaked havoc across clinical services . The hack is said to have affected hospitals who are partnered with Synnovi , a provider of pathology services . A Russian group of cyber criminals calling themselves Qilin are believed to have been behind the attack .
As well as adopting AI-driven cyber defences , organisations are also collaborating with government agencies , such as the UK ’ s government agency National Cyber Security Centre , in order to share intelligence and fortify defences .
Cybercrime : an evolving battlefield Although AI is no doubt augmenting the tenacity of attacks , it is lending the same abilities to defence . Yet although war never changes , the same can ’ t be said for cyberwar .
Quantum computing , whilst still the reserve of Governments and large global organisations who can afford them , is likely to create a watershed moment . The computational power available will enable breakthroughs across various fields , including scientific modelling simulation and drug research , as well as attacks .
134 March 2025