#1: NCSC cyber deception trials and guidance updates

The NCSC ran cyber deception trials to assess how deception technologies (defensive strategies used to lure attackers) can improve organisational security. These trials involved 121 organisations, 14 vendors, and 10 real-world environments.

The goal was to test three assumptions: 1) Cyber deception can help detect hidden compromises already inside networks, 2) Cyber deception can help detect new attacks as they happen, and 3) Cyber deception can change how attackers behave if they are aware it exists.

Following these trials, the NCSC found that deception can reveal threats where traditional monitoring struggles, and data from deception tools is often more actionable than standard alerts. Interestingly, most organisations deploy deception without public announcement, but academic research reviewed by the NCSC indicates that attackers are less confident in their attacks when they believe cyber deception is in use.

The NCSC has also refreshed its guidance on managing web PKI certificates, TLS, and IPsec. Key changes include:

• Automated certificate management to reduce errors and prepare for shorter certificate lifetimes.
• Guidance on TLS and IPsec now aligns with certificate best practices and external attack surface management advice.
• The NCSC plans to introduce new profiles incorporating post-quantum cryptography once standards and robust implementations mature.

#2: Ofcom tackle AI chatbots

Ofcom has issued new guidance on AI chatbots under the UK’s Online Safety Act. Chatbots that enable user-to-user interaction, search functions, or distribute adult content will face the same safety obligations as social media platforms, including risk assessments and age checks.

AI-generated content is regulated like human content, and providers risk fines for non-compliance. One-to-one chatbots without search or adult features remain outside scope – for now. Ofcom is also monitoring developments and exploring future safeguards around generative AI, deepfakes, and search tools.

#3:  RAM prices surge – what it means for you

RAM costs have surged recently, and it’s not just about consumer demand. Leading manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are prioritising high-margin memory types such as DDR5 and HBM for AI and enterprise markets, leaving older formats like DDR4 in short supply. Micron’s exit from the consumer memory space has tightened availability even further, pushing up prices across PCs, smartphones, and even GPUs and SSDs.

This shift isn’t temporary – it reflects a broader market realignment. OEMs are already warning of double-digit price hikes on new systems, and relief is unlikely until new fabrication plants come online or AI investment slows. GPU prices from major manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD are also reportedly set to rise as demand for AI hardware surges, with limited supply and a shift toward enterprise markets driving costs higher for consumers.

Rising hardware costs could strain IT budgets, delay infrastructure upgrades, and slow digital transformation projects. Planning ahead and exploring cost-optimisation strategies will be key.

More recent updates…

• Ofcom has awarded small-scale DAB multiplex licences to four new areas. These are Ely & March (Fen Radio), Market Harborough (Creativity Media), Wakefield & Castleford (Mid Yorkshire DAB), and Wellingborough (Steers Media). This is part of its wider initiative to expand affordable digital radio across the UK with over 100 multiplexes planned. It’s also consulting on a proposed frequency change for the Cheshire-Mid multiplex, inviting public input by 14 January.
• The NCSC has warned that, unlike SQL injection attacks, prompt injection attacks in generative AI systems can’t be fully mitigated due to large language models’ inability to distinguish between instructions and data. The NCSC urges developers to build in resilience and risk management across AI supply chains.
• Ofcom’s latest report looks at how our digital habits are evolving – from the apps we rely on to the growing role of AI in search functions. It offers insights into what’s shaping online behaviour and the implications for businesses and consumers alike. Read the full report here.

…and in other news

• France plans to ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms and prohibit mobile phone use in high schools starting September 2026.
• NVIDIA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy’s newly launched Genesis Mission—under an executive order—to significantly bolster national AI infrastructure and R&D efforts across energy, scientific research, and national security, with an MOU guiding joint work on supercomputing, digital twins, robotics, quantum computing, and open-science AI platforms.
• New AI and 5G technology trialled at a stadium in Milton Keynes allows fans to stream multiple high-quality live video feeds, access real-time player stats, exclusive content, and queue navigation—promising to revolutionize connectivity and engagement at large live events.
• The UK’s National AI Strategy outlines a ten‑year plan to strengthen the country’s position as a global AI leader by investing in research and innovation, boosting skills, ensuring ethical governance, and fostering AI adoption across public and private sectors to drive productivity, growth, and resilience.

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