NatWest Bank is fending off an astonishing 100 million cyber attacks every month, according to its head of cybersecurity, Chris Ulliott. Speaking to Members of the Scottish Parliament, Ulliott described how hackers are constantly probing the bank’s digital defences, forcing it to adopt aggressive cybersecurity measures.

Each month, NatWest blocks roughly a third of all incoming emails, identifying them as likely attempts to initiate attacks on its staff. To manage this relentless pressure, the bank has deployed hundreds of cybersecurity professionals and committed millions of pounds to its security budget.

Looking ahead, Ulliott warned that artificial intelligence will further complicate the threat landscape. He also pointed to groups like Scattered Spider—suspected to be behind the recent attack on Marks & Spencer—as an example of the evolving adversary: a loosely connected global network of young cybercriminals sharing tactics in online forums.