Cybersecurity firm Hadrian has launched a new version of its agentic artificial intelligence platform that uses autonomous “offensive” software agents to search for and test security weaknesses before criminal hackers reach them. The launch comes as security researchers report a sharp increase in the use of AI tools by attackers, and as the UK emerges as a major target for cyber incidents in Europe. Hadrian said its platform runs continuous tests against organisations’ external digital infrastructure. The system imitates real-world attack techniques and attempts to exploit weaknesses that it discovers. The company positions the technology as a response to a growing “machine versus machine” dynamic in cyber security, where both attackers and defenders are deploying automated agents. Recent industry research cited by the company indicates that the UK accounts for around 25% of all reported cyber incidents across Europe. Organisations in the UK faced more than 100 million malicious attack attempts in a single quarter. The country ranked as the third most targeted globally, behind the US and Canada. Security teams have reported broader use of AI by criminal groups over the past year. The tools range from basic chatbots that support fraud attempts to customised models that generate malicious code on demand.

Full report : Hadrian unveils AI agents to pre-empt cyber attacks.

For more see the OODA Company Profile on Hadrian.