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.
South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet will consider a targeted, one-off reduction in business rates in July, aimed at easing pressure on pubs across the district.
The move follows growing concern that many venues are struggling with rising costs despite their importance as community hubs, rural assets and employers.
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets, said: “Everyone knows that pubs are experiencing significant financial pressures.
“These venues play an important role in the economy and are vital for ensuring a thriving local community.
“We’re carefully considering how best to provide targeted support for pubs in South Oxfordshire which will both help to strengthen our local and rural economy and safeguard employment in our hospitality sector.”
Council leader Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers said: “While this support can’t fix everything, it’s a step in the right direction.
“We’re staying focused on collaborating with our local pubs and partners to provide the practical support and guidance they need right now.”
Details of the proposed business rates support are set out in a report to cabinet on July 2, when a decision is due to be made.
The popular shopping centre in Oxford’s Queen Street already has an exciting mix of shops on offer, from first-class dining options to familiar high street favourites and world-renowned brands.
Now, the Westgate has welcomed the latest addition to its retail offering, as David Clulow opticians opened on Friday, June 26.
READ MORE: All train lines closed out of Oxford for works from tonight
The eye health specialist store showcases the brand’s modernised retail format, with state-of-the-art testing rooms and improved accessibility.
It’s broad product range also includes designer frames from the likes of Chanel, Prada and Ray-Ban.
The store is the latest edition to David Clulow’s store collection which is hosted in nearly 30 cities and shopping centres across the UK.
The introduction of the new shop is the latest in a long line of recent Westgate comings and goings in recent months.
Shoe chain Russell & Bromley has departed its ground-floor store, leaving the unit empty, after the brand fell into administration.
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Similarly, Claire’s has also closed at the Westgate after the beauty and accessory brand also collapsed into administration.
Last month, the new Lego store opened on the ground floor of the centre, welcoming queues of shoppers at its grand opening event.
Oliver Bonas also recently moved from its home on the ground floor to a much larger unit on the middle floor, near the Queen Street and Bonn Square entrance.
The scheme, designed to support attendance at Armed Forces Day events, will be in effect across the UK on June 27 and June 28.
It applies to all Stagecoach services except those operated by Megabus, Transport for London and the Bee Network.
To access free travel, serving military should wear uniform or present a valid military ID card, and veterans should present a veteran’s badge or military medal.
Martin Gibbon, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “Our Armed Forces have given so much to protect our country, and offering free travel over this weekend is just a small gesture of our immense gratitude.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for our service people, past and present, to attend local events and celebrate with their communities.”
Stagecoach’s ongoing support for the military community includes similar free travel schemes on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.
The company’s Veterans Network also offers a platform for veterans and service families within the business to connect and shape a more supportive workplace.
Stagecoach was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award in 2024 in recognition of its commitment to supporting the military community.
Mr Gibbon said: “Through our Veterans Network, we are dedicated to ensuring Stagecoach remains a deeply supportive environment for the military community, both as passengers and as valued colleagues.”
Stagecoach has backed the Armed Forces Covenant since 2015.
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