Nearly Half Of AI Security Firms Are Based In The UK, Report Finds

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology and OnSecurity have published details on AI and software safety. Their information is from government-backed research that tracks security providers around the country. Official records give an overview of how these specialised teams are spread out and what they do.

Nearly half of AI security outfits have headquarters in the UK. Another fraction sits in the US, with smaller hubs noted in Ireland, Israel, Romania, India, and France. A good number of software defenders also set up shop here, though international names are visible as well.

DSIT worked with Perspective Economics to group and review this data. They saw London and the South East brimming with cybersecurity talent, yet more teams are stationed across the country. Reports mention fresh techniques in protective coding and high-level tactics for fending off attacks.

 

What Makes Up AI-Specialist Teams?

 

Government material reported that AI security groups are usually needed by businesses that need machine-powered insights. London accounts for 59% of them, with the South East at 17%.

DSIT and Perspective Economics classify many of these as small or micro. Some connect to large consultancies and global tech names that add AI-focused safeguards to existing products. Investments worth millions have poured into younger firms tackling language model checks and code lockdowns.

Harmonic Security secured roughly £20m to protect financial and healthcare information. Another group, Mindgard, brought in around £9m to shield language models from harmful actions. These developments reveal a rise in defenses for neural networks as adoption keeps climbing.

Specialists stand ready to counter data leaks, block intrusions, and craft systems that keep algorithms safe. Extra funding from supporters shows a real drive to strengthen these lines of defence.

 

 

Where Are Software Security Teams Based?

 

Information from the same documents shows 79% of software security providers in the UK place their main base here, while 21% trace their origins to overseas spots, often in the United States.

London is the biggest magnet for code specialists, with the South East close behind. Smaller clusters appear in the South West and North West, and there are listings in Scotland and Wales as well.

Another group of partial providers seems scattered in different areas. Plenty are tiny outfits that bundle software checks with daily cyber tasks. Each region apparently hosts at least a few of these.

A share of them earns revenue from public sector projects, given that government bodies need code testing. Banks and online shops also use these services to keep software clear of flaws.

Conor O’Neill, Co-Founder & CEO at OnSecurity, commented, “The data highlights the UK’s strong leadership in the cybersecurity market, especially in the AI sector, where nearly half of the global providers are headquartered here. This is a testament to the UK’s growing influence and innovation in cybersecurity, driven by a combination of world-class talent and forward-thinking policies.

“It’s exciting to see such a concentration of cybersecurity for AI capabilities in London and the South East, which further solidifies the UK’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence. While regional distribution remains somewhat limited, the UK’s ability to attract investment and talent from across the globe speaks volumes about its market potential. As cybersecurity continues to evolve, the UK is perfectly positioned to continue leading the way, not just in AI, but across the entire cybersecurity landscape.”