BT has reported a staggering 2,000 potential cyber-attack signals detected per second across its network, reflecting a 1,234% increase in malicious scanning activities over the past year. The data, presented at BT's Secure Tomorrow cybersecurity festival, highlights that hackers are increasingly using disposable AI-powered bots to probe for vulnerabilities in various sectors, notably IT, defence, financial services, and more recently, retail, education, and hospitality. Alarmingly, 78% of the scans are deemed malicious, with web-connected devices being targeted over 1,000 times daily. The National Cyber Security Centre has noted that the rise of AI tools is enabling novice cybercriminals to conduct more sophisticated attacks. BT's managing director of security, Tris Morgan, emphasized the critical need for businesses to bolster their defenses against these evolving threats. The data underscores the urgent challenge facing organizations as they navigate this digital landscape filled with opportunistic hackers.