UK firms boost cyber budgets amid rising AI risks
🔒 More than two-thirds of UK businesses plan to increase cybersecurity spending over the next 12 months as AI adoption and geopolitical uncertainty reshape budgets. The Q1 2026 Barclays Business Prosperity Index found 68% of leaders expect higher cyber investment and 46% say new technologies raise their exposure. Large firms have led the increase, with average cyber spend hitting £505,000 so far in 2026, and cloud, cyber and AI account for 44% of planned tech budgets.
