Catch up on this month’s round-up of the latest hosting and tech news. Here’s what we’ve uncovered since our last edition.
SaaS Security Gaps
Small and mid-sized businesses are leaving security gaps in their SaaS environments through weak controls over guest users, third-party access, and shared data. Kaseya’s 2026 SaaS Security Report found that nearly 70% of SaaS accounts now have more guests than licensed users, a sign that many firms now rely heavily on external collaboration without enforcing strong access controls.
With attackers increasingly targeting identities, OAuth connections, and collaboration tools rather than trying to break through traditional perimeter defences, SaaS environments with weak access controls are at much greater risk. The problem is even harder to contain for companies using AI due to the increase in the number of connected services and persistent tokens.
Additionally, more than half of the accounts were found to lack multi-factor authentication, while Microsoft 365 environments showed particularly high levels of external data sharing.
With cybercriminals continuing to adopt AI, Kaseya recommends that smaller firms focus on identity governance, continuous monitoring and tighter auditing of guest accounts, machine identities and sharing permissions.
Cloud Sovereignty Concerns
A study by Civo has found that UK businesses are increasingly concerned about their reliance on American cloud providers. Nearly three-quarters of firms now see sovereignty as a strategic priority, while two-thirds are considering ditching their US provider.
The worry comes not just from using foreign companies but because the growing adoption of AI means more businesses are paying attention to where their systems are built, who manages the technology, and which laws affect their data. Over half of those surveyed are apprehensive about the laws that govern their AI providers, while 43% think that AI work should be carried out in the UK.
The impact on UK businesses of outages from large foreign companies is another reason many are considering UK-based providers.
Despite the change in attitude, the research shows that many companies have been left stuck with their current cloud providers due to the technical difficulties and complexities of switching.
Dorset AI Trial
Dorset Council has begun testing AI tools to speed up the processing of planning applications. Developed by London-based AI company Faculty, the tool helps planning officers by organising minor applications and reviewing documents. It also summarises important information and gives initial recommendations.
The trial, which is part of a government-backed pilot program that also includes Barnet and Camden, focuses on smaller, routine applications like loft conversions and home extensions, which mostly involve checking paperwork and gathering the right information. Faculty said that the system is designed to assist, not replace, the judgment of professionals, with final decisions still made by qualified officers and planning committees.
The project is the latest example of how AI is being tested in local government to reduce administrative delays, improve efficiency, and allow specialised staff to focus on more important tasks. The government believes the technology could cut the average processing time for planning applications from eight weeks to four. If successful, the tool could be rolled out more widely from 2027.
AI Creating New Jobs
UK business leaders are feeling more optimistic about how AI will impact jobs during the latter half of the decade. Research from Box shows that 65% of leaders think their workforce will grow in the next three years, while only 14% expect it to shrink. This comes as more companies move beyond trialling AI and begin incorporating it into key parts of their business.
The research suggests that AI is actually creating demand for new skills and management systems. Among the businesses already using AI, very few have reported a decrease in jobs. Instead, many have found they need new specialised positions to support AI. These jobs include AI system operators, experts in task automation, and roles focused on compliance and regulations.
While changes to job roles and workforce planning are still expected, the situation is more complicated than the immediate job loss crisis some predicted. For employers, the current focus will likely be on retraining their staff, governance, and effectively weaving AI into everyday work.
Supercomputer Build Begins
Work has begun on building the UK’s new supercomputer, a £750 million project that hopes to boost the country’s computing power when it starts operating at the end of 2027.
Located at the University of Edinburgh, the new system will be 50 times more powerful than the old ARCHER2 machine it replaces, and the most powerful in the UK. Those involved in the project claim that, as one of the world’s most advanced supercomputers, it will help researchers and businesses simulate complicated systems that are hard to test in labs.
Once completed, the supercomputer will assist in fields like climate modelling, quantum computing, advanced engineering and space research. Researchers believe it will enable much larger and faster analysis of scientific data and help industries solve problems such as engine design and materials development.
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