Insights

On 8 August, the UK Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (“DSIT”) published a report titled “Emerging technologies and their effect on cyber security” (the “Report”). It examines how the convergence of AI, IoT, Quantum, Edge Computing, Blockchain and other emerging technologies is transforming the cyber threat landscape. We’ve summarised below some of their key findings and takeaways. In the pursuit of growth and efficiencies many companies are considering how to adopt emerging technology into their operational processes, and the Report provides a useful guide as to emerging cyber risks and where the UK Government’s attention is focused as it launches the Cyber Resilience Bill later this year.

On 11 July 2025, the European Data Protection Supervisor, (“EDPS”), the independent supervisory authority, which oversees the processing of personal data by EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, (“EUIs”) confirmed that the European Commission, (“Commission”) has succeeded in bringing its use of Microsoft 365 within the requirements of applicable European data protection rules thanks to additional measures adopted by both the Commission and Microsoft.

On 2 June 2025, the UK Government unveiled its 2025 Strategic Defence Review titled the “Plan for Change for Defence” (the “2025 SDR”), heralding it as the dawn of a new era in British defence and security. Hailed as a landmark by the Prime Minister, the 2025 SDR underscores the urgent need to address daily cyber threats and embrace the rapid evolution of technology that is reshaping the battlefield. It also emphasises both the necessity of and the opportunities that this approach affords to create a new partnership with industry and radically reform procurement, leading to the creation of a “defence dividend” of jobs, wealth and opportunity throughout the UK.