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2 clusters · 8 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

UK cybercrime and data breach trends

Overview

Reports indicate a rise in various forms of digital and data security incidents in the United Kingdom. Financial losses stemming from social media and email hacking increased by over 400% during the 2025-26 financial year, reaching £6.3 million. These incidents, which accounted for 69% of all reported cybercrimes, often involve account hijacking or impersonation scams such as the “Hi mum” tactic.

Separately, data breaches caused by human error have seen an upward trend. Since 2020, over 26,000 such incidents have been reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office, with human-related breaches rising 43 percent between 2020 and 2025. Common causes include emailing data to incorrect recipients, improper redaction, and failures in handling physical paperwork, with the health industry reporting the highest volume of these errors.

Entities

Bridewell · Information Commissioner’s Office · Santander · Report Fraud · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
    UK data breaches: 26,000 incidents caused by human error since 2020

    Over 26,000 UK data breaches caused by human error have been reported since 2020, with emailing data to wrong recipients being the primary cause. The health sector is most affected.

  2. [CRIME] 3 sources
    UK social media and email hacking losses rise 400%

    UK financial losses from social media and email hacking surged 400% to £6.3 million in the 2025-26 financial year, according to City of London Police data.

Sources

hrnews.co.uk · insurance-edge.net · saferworld.org.uk · scottishbusinessnews.net · securityjournaluk.com · tekedia.com · thedataschool.co.uk · theguardian.com