Hubtel IT has called upon the UK Government to ensure that the proposed Cyber Security & Resilience Bill adapts in line with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). During a recent visit by Rachel Taylor MP to the company’s headquarters in Nether Whitacre, near Birmingham, the firm cautioned that regulatory frameworks lagging behind technological advancements could stifle business adoption and impede economic growth.
Neil Bayliss, Chief Executive of Hubtel IT, emphasized the need for the legislation to maintain flexibility as AI continues to evolve beyond basic consumer applications. He noted that businesses are increasingly employing advanced automation in their operations, while cybercriminals are also leveraging AI to enhance their attacks.
“Britain’s new Cyber Bill must be agile and adaptive, keeping pace with rapid AI-driven advancements that are evolving far beyond simple chat tools and into powerful agentic automations delivering transformative business efficiency and growth,” said Bayliss.
Bayliss further advocated for greater collaboration between policymakers and industry specialists. “We need real pragmatism from those at the helm together with real trust in us, the industry experts at the frontier of harnessing the power of AI into our clients’ business processes and combating the ever-evolving threat of AI-enabled cyber criminals,” he remarked.
The Cyber Security & Resilience Bill is currently progressing through readings in the House of Commons and is expected to move to the House of Lords later this year before becoming law.
Hubtel IT has underscored the rising severity of cyber threats, reporting that the United Kingdom experiences an average of four major cyberattack-related incidents every week. The firm characterized cybercrime as a relentless and evolving challenge that requires sophisticated, continuous responses to safeguard critical infrastructure and corporate data.
As cybersecurity has surged to the forefront of corporate priorities, high-profile attacks targeting large employers’ supply chains have heightened awareness of these issues. During her visit, Taylor cited the cyberattack against Jaguar Land Rover as a key example of the “domino effect” that can occur when a single security breach affects multiple interconnected partners and suppliers. This instance illustrates the urgent need for legislative frameworks that address systemic vulnerabilities across entire industrial ecosystems.
“West Midlands firms like Hubtel IT are leading the way when it comes to ensuring businesses can reap the benefits and protect themselves against the threats posed by new technologies,” Taylor stated.
In a reflection on the broader implications of cyberattacks, she added, “As the recent cyberattack against Jaguar Land Rover shows, these attacks can cause real damage not just to individual businesses, but to whole communities.” Taylor expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with Bayliss and the Hubtel team, highlighting their critical role in maintaining digital security in an increasingly interconnected world.
As part of its AI-led growth strategy, Hubtel IT has recently expanded its workforce, increasing its headcount by 25% with the addition of three new employees: Marketing Manager Craig Potts, Tech Help Desk Manager Michelle Loveland, and IT Support Engineer Jake Barwell. This brings the total staff count to 15, a sign of the company’s investment in both talent and technological advancement.
Bayliss articulated that organizations must regard cybersecurity as a management issue in addition to a technological one. He described AI as both a risk factor and an opportunity for businesses. “Cybersecurity is as much about culture and awareness as it is about tech, and AI is the key risk as well as the key opportunity. It’s being used by cyber criminals, but it can also be harnessed by many businesses to drive growth, improve productivity and create more efficient ways of working,” he explained.
Bayliss cautioned that businesses relying on traditional methods may struggle to keep pace with rapid changes in automation and attacker tactics. Companies are now evaluating how AI can transform internal workflows and enhance decision-making processes. “Traditional processes can only take you so far. Now is the time for AI to elevate those processes to a higher level of automation, giving businesses and their employees the opportunity to focus more on strategy, efficiency and long-term growth,” he stated.
He also flagged the rise of AI-driven social engineering as a growing concern. This trend increases the importance of employee vigilance and awareness, as individuals become targets alongside corporate systems. “In 2025, many businesses, including big brands like JLR and M&S, fell victim to cyberattacks. While organizations continue strengthening their system defenses, the rise of AI-driven social engineering means individuals are increasingly being targeted, so each of us must be vigilant,” Bayliss concluded.
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