Security Chiefs Urge Immediate AI Regulation Following DeepSeek’s Rise

A wave of anxiety is crashing over Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) manning security operation centers across the UK, particularly concerning the rise of Chinese AI heavyweight, DeepSeek. While AI was once heralded as the dawn of a new era in business efficiency and innovation, those on the front lines of corporate defense are now seeing a much darker side.

According to a new report, a staggering 81% of UK CISOs believe DeepSeek, and similar AI chatbots, require immediate government regulation. The fear? Without swift intervention, these powerful tools could trigger a national cyber crisis, turning the promise of AI on its head.

This isn’t just speculative worry; it’s a direct response to a technology where data handling practices and potential for misuse are setting off alarms at the highest echelons of enterprise security. Think of it as a high-stakes poker game where the other player can see your hand – and potentially rewrite the rules.

The findings, based on a poll of 250 CISOs at large UK organizations, were commissioned by Absolute Security for its UK Resilience Risk Index Report. The data demonstrates that the theoretical threat of AI has landed squarely on the CISO’s desk, prompting decisive – and somewhat drastic – action.

In a move that would have been almost unthinkable just a couple of years ago, over a third (34%) of these security leaders have already implemented outright bans on AI tools due to escalating cybersecurity concerns. A similar number, 30%, have already pulled the plug on specific AI deployments within their organizations, effectively hitting the kill switch.

This isn’t Luddism; it’s a pragmatic response to a rapidly escalating problem. Businesses are already battling increasingly complex and hostile threats, as illustrated by high-profile incidents like the recent Harrods breach. CISOs are struggling to keep pace, and the addition of sophisticated AI tools to the attacker’s arsenal presents a challenge many feel unprepared to handle.

A Growing Security Readiness Gap for AI Platforms Like DeepSeek

The core issue with platforms like DeepSeek lies in their potential to expose sensitive corporate data and be weaponized by cybercriminals. It’s like giving a master key to both the architect and a potential burglar.

A significant 60% of CISOs predict a direct increase in cyberattacks due to the proliferation of DeepSeek. The same proportion reports that the technology is already tangling their privacy and governance frameworks, transforming an already challenging job into a near-impossible one. It’s akin to navigating a minefield while blindfolded.

This has fueled a stark shift in perspective. Once viewed as a potential silver bullet for cybersecurity, AI is now seen by a growing number of professionals as part of the problem. The survey reveals that 42% of CISOs now consider AI a greater threat than a help to their defensive efforts, flipping the script entirely.

Andy Ward, SVP International of Absolute Security, explains: “Our research highlights the significant risks posed by emerging AI tools like DeepSeek, which are rapidly reshaping the cyber threat landscape.”

“As concerns grow over their potential to accelerate attacks and compromise sensitive data, organizations must act now to strengthen their cyber resilience and adapt security frameworks to keep pace with these AI-driven threats.”

“That’s why four in five UK CISOs are urgently calling for government regulation. They’ve witnessed how quickly this technology is advancing and how easily it can outpace existing cybersecurity defenses,” Ward added, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Perhaps most concerning is the admission of unpreparedness. Almost half (46%) of senior security leaders confess their teams are not ready to manage the unique threats posed by AI-driven attacks. They are witnessing the development of tools like DeepSeek outpacing their defensive capabilities in real-time, creating a dangerous vulnerability gap that many believe can only be closed by national-level government intervention. It’s a race against time, and the attackers seem to have a head start.

“These are not hypothetical risks,” Ward continued. “The fact that organizations are already banning AI tools outright and rethinking their security strategies in response to the risks posed by LLMs like DeepSeek demonstrates the urgency of the situation.”

“Without a national regulatory framework – one that sets clear guidelines for how these tools are deployed, governed, and monitored – we risk widespread disruption across every sector of the UK economy,” he warned.

Businesses Are Investing to Avert Crisis With Their AI Adoption

Despite this defensive posture, businesses aren’t planning a full-scale retreat from AI. The response is more of a strategic pause than a permanent roadblock. Think of it as hitting the brakes before a potentially dangerous turn, rather than abandoning the journey altogether.

Businesses recognize the immense potential of AI and are actively investing to adopt it safely. In fact, 84% of organizations are prioritizing the hiring of AI specialists for 2025, signaling a commitment to building internal expertise.

This investment extends to the very top of the corporate ladder. A significant 80% of companies have committed to AI training at the C-suite level. The strategy appears to be a dual-pronged approach: upskill the workforce to understand and manage the technology and bring in specialized talent needed to navigate its complexities. It’s about building a bridge from fear to understanding and control.

The hope – and perhaps a prayer – is that building a strong internal foundation of AI expertise can act as a counterbalance to the escalating external threats. It’s a bet that knowledge and proactive investment can mitigate the risks.

The message from the UK’s security leadership is clear: they don’t want to block AI innovation, but enable it to proceed safely. To do that, they require a stronger partnership with the government.

The path forward involves establishing clear rules of engagement, government oversight, a pipeline of skilled AI professionals, and a coherent national strategy for managing the potential security risks posed by DeepSeek and the next generation of powerful AI tools that will inevitably follow. It’s about creating a roadmap for responsible AI development and deployment.

“The time for debate is over. We need immediate action, policy, and oversight to ensure AI remains a force for progress, not a catalyst for crisis,” Ward concludes, emphasizing the pressing need for a proactive approach.