Business & Technology
AI adoption creates cybersecurity blind spots for UK CIOs
Logicalis has reported that AI adoption is creating cybersecurity blind spots for UK organisations, according to its latest survey of chief information officers.
The research suggests security teams are struggling to keep pace as businesses roll out AI more widely. Some 41% of UK CIOs said AI had worsened incident response times, while 35% said it had reduced their organisation’s ability to detect breaches and cyberattacks effectively. Another 34% said AI had created new cybersecurity blind spots.
The findings highlight a gap between the pace of AI deployment and the controls many companies have in place to manage it. Businesses have moved beyond early trials and proof-of-concept work, but oversight of how AI is being used appears less mature.
Visibility is one of the clearest concerns. Just 37% of CIOs said they had full visibility of all the AI tools and services used across their organisation, leaving most without a complete picture of where the technology has been deployed.
That lack of oversight is compounded by weaker governance. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, or 62%, said they had compromised or relaxed AI governance standards because of limited knowledge or capability within their organisation.
Control gap
For many companies, the issue is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to retain control as its use spreads across business functions. As AI systems become embedded in enterprise technology environments, security teams must monitor a broader, more complex mix of tools, services and workflows.
Mike Fry, Infrastructure, Data & Security Solutions Director at Logicalis UKI, described that challenge in the report. “AI is introducing a new level of complexity into enterprise environments and security teams are being asked to manage risks that are evolving just as quickly as the technology itself. As organisations embed AI more deeply into their operations, maintaining visibility and control becomes significantly more challenging, particularly if governance frameworks, skills and oversight are not evolving at the same pace,” he said.
The data suggests this is not only a technical problem. It also reflects organisational behaviour, including how staff adopt new tools and whether companies establish clear accountability for their use. In practice, AI can spread faster than policies, training and security processes are updated.
Many organisations are now trying to scale AI across the enterprise, changing the nature of the risk. When use is limited to small pilots, oversight may be simpler. Once adoption broadens, gaps in inventory, policy and monitoring become harder to close.
Fry said the figures point to a wider management challenge. “We are well beyond the proof of concept stage with AI. When only a third of organisations have full visibility of AI usage, it’s a clear sign that this is no longer just a technology challenge; it’s a cultural one. Most organisations are now trying to scale AI, but without the right behaviours, accountability and oversight in place, visibility quickly breaks down,” he said.
Governance strain
The survey adds to a broader debate in the UK technology sector about how companies govern AI once it moves into day-to-day operations. CIOs are increasingly expected to support deployment, manage risk and ensure security teams can still respond effectively when incidents occur.
For many organisations, the findings suggest a mismatch between board-level ambition for AI and operational readiness in IT and security. If incident response slows and breach detection becomes harder, the challenge is not simply one of efficiency. It is also one of resilience and accountability.
Logicalis argued that as AI is industrialised across enterprise environments, visibility and governance become harder to maintain. That is especially relevant where multiple teams procure or use AI tools independently, or where oversight frameworks have not been updated in line with adoption.
Fry said the focus now needs to shift towards security and control. “As AI systems become more embedded and autonomous, the role of the CIO is evolving rapidly. Success will depend not just on deploying AI, but on building the organisational discipline, accountability and expertise needed to manage it securely at scale,” he said.
The Original Factory Shop which sells discounted homewares, furniture, electrical goods and toys, shut its store in Carterton yesterday (Saturday, March 28).
On the business’ Facebook page, last-minute discounts were being offered with clothing down to £2 an item.
READ MORE: Store closure fears as UK discount brand in administration
On Thursday, March 26, a spokesperson for the store said: “Everything in store is now up to 85 per cent off as we prepare to close our doors this weekend.
“This is your last chance to grab a bargain – once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Following that announcement, prices were subsequently lowered and lowered.
Other branches around the UK also shut yesterday including in Cromer, Gorleston and Bungay in Norfolk and Suffolk with major sales also being implemented at other locations.
This comes after the business fell into administration in January, with further closures also expected imminently in Snettisham, according to The Sun, and around the country.
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Administrators said The Original Factory Shop’s troubles have been driven by challenging trading conditions, linked to high-cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies.
Problems were then exacerbated by issues linked to its third-party warehouse and logistics operator, weakening sales further.
It only has one store in Oxfordshire, its Carterton shop, although Claire’s – which is also owned by investment firm Modella Capital and is in administration – has one in the Oxford Westgate shopping centre.
The fashion retailer this month closed down its store in the Oxford city centre shopping centre having opened in October 2017 as part of the £440m revamp.
It was one of the original retailers as part of the shopping centre’s new phase of life, along with John Lewis, Primark and Next.
A spokeswoman from Hugo Boss said: “Hugo Boss optimises its global store portfolio as part of its long-term strategy, which also affects the Boss Oxford Westgate Centre store.
“Hugo Boss will maintain a strong presence in the UK, and we will also continue to serve our customers via our online flagship store at hugoboss.com.”
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The company did not say whether any redundancies had been made from closing the store.
The spokeswoman said: “Wherever possible, we reallocate employees through transfers or other internal opportunities.”
There are indeed other branches not too far, including at Bicester Village, Swindon and Reading.
A spokeswoman for the Westgate said: “We remain committed to making Westgate Oxford a vibrant and varied retail destination for our guests, welcoming exciting new arrivals such as Sephora, The Beefy Boys, and the opening of Lego later this spring, as well as recently upsized stores for Oliver Bonas, Goldsmiths, and Superdrug.
“We look forward to sharing more details about new brands joining the centre soon.”
Henley Business Buzz hosted its first event at Henley Rugby Club, drawing more than 30 businesses and decision-makers from the local area.
The group is part of the wider Business Buzz network, offering informal, no-membership, pay-as-you-go networking that focuses on building professional relationships in a relaxed setting.
Orinta Gaucyte, host of Henley Business Buzz, said: “It was fantastic to see so many local businesses come together for our first Henley Buzz.
“There’s something really special about building a supportive community where people feel comfortable, included and able to make genuine connections.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the launch such a success.”
The launch was attended by Business Buzz co-founders Katrina Sargent and Simon George, who officially opened the event.
The Henley meetings are supported by sponsors Logic Financial Services and Logic Mortgages.
Lee Humphrey, of Logic Financial Services, said: “It’s brilliant to see an event like Business Buzz arrive in Henley.
“Creating opportunities for local businesses to connect in a relaxed and approachable way is incredibly valuable for the town, and we’re proud to support something that brings the business community closer together.”
Henley Business Buzz will take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, with the next event scheduled for Thursday, April 23.
All businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the area are welcome to attend.
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