SecurityBrief UK

Augmentt has published research showing a Microsoft 365 readiness gap among managed service providers as demand for AI governance rises. The study surveyed 193 MSP professionals. AI and Copilot governance was the fastest-growing client request for 40% of respondents, ahead of security and compliance at 24%. Yet only 10% said more than three-quarters of the client tenants they manage are ready for Copilot, and just 3% said every client tenant under their management is ready.

xReality Group reported record annual results, with revenue rising 43% to AUD $20 million, driven in part by growth in its defence training business, Operator XR. The ASX-listed group narrowed its net loss to AUD $0.1 million from AUD $3.1 million a year earlier, while EBITDA rose to AUD $3.8 million from AUD $0.6 million. Cash and cash equivalents stood at AUD $2.7 million at year end, compared with AUD $2.8 million the previous year, and net operating cash flow reached AUD $5.5 million.

Nasuni has acquired DryvIQ, adding data classification and governance technology to its file data platform. The deal brings DryvIQ's tools for discovering, classifying and governing unstructured data into Nasuni's broader platform for managing file data across cloud and on-premises systems.

Decodo has published research ranking 45 AI agents across 10 browsing and task-based functions. No tool achieved a perfect score. Claude for Chrome and Amazon Nova Act shared the top overall score with 18 points out of 20, followed by Fellou and ChatGPT Desktop on 17. The assessment compared vendor documentation with tests of how the tools handled practical tasks such as filling forms, completing purchases, switching tabs and carrying out multi-step work.

There are a number of changing demands facing physical security, with businesses needing to protect increasingly large or complex sites while maintaining coverage around the clock. Pressures include rising security costs, shortages of security personnel, theft and trespassing, and demand for continuous monitoring. Autonomous patrol robots are an emerging technology that can continuously patrol sites and provide information to human security teams.

rf IDEAS and Wavelynx have published a report on authentication modernisation that points to a gap between executives' confidence in their security posture and the progress being made inside organisations. Based on a survey of 500 IT and security leaders at mid-sized to large organisations, the report suggests many businesses believe they are ahead of their peers even as core identity and access systems remain dated.

There is a challenge when it comes to developing blockchain applications, and that is ensuring complex processes are simplified for the user without compromising the security that underpins them. Experienced users may be able to navigate wallet approvals, smart contract interactions and transaction signing, but for those newly initiated to blockchain, these additional steps can make transactions feel overly complicated. It could even deter them from continuing to use the application in future.

Abnormal AI has expanded its email security platform with Control Centre, Email DLP Rules and upgrades to AI Phishing Coach. The additions extend coverage across inbound email threats, outbound messages and employee training. The move reflects a shift in email risk as attackers use generative AI to create more convincing messages that resemble routine business communications. Abnormal's approach uses behavioural analysis to detect when email activity diverges from an organisation's normal patterns.

GBG has launched Reach, a data quality agent for AI agents. The product integrates with workflows including IBM watsonx Orchestrate. Reach is the first offering in GBG for Agents, a new portfolio designed to give AI systems policy-based decision support when handling address information. It verifies address data in real time and returns a confidence score from 0.0 to 1.0, allowing agents to decide whether to proceed.

Integrity360 has acquired identity security specialist CyberIAM, adding 120 employees and about €18 million in revenue. CyberIAM will become a new identity-focused services practice within Integrity360, expanding the Irish-founded cyber security group's work in identity and access management. The company operates from Chester, London and Cape Town, serving customers in financial services, retail, healthcare, insurance, energy, legal and the public sector.