The week in business IT & comms

Weekly Roundup · Week of 3–9 July 2026

The week in business IT & comms

The week's business IT and comms news, boiled down to what actually affects how you run your business. This week: a record telecoms fine, a fresh warning about SharePoint servers under attack, and the first ransomware break-in run start to finish by an AI. If you only read one thing this week, make it this.

9 July 2026
  1. 01
    Connectivity & Broadband

    Ofcom hits Virgin Media with a record £28m fine

    The regulator fined Virgin Media £28m on 8 July for repeatedly making it hard to cancel, its largest ever penalty for direct consumer harm. A good prompt to check the notice periods and exit terms on your own comms contracts.

    Read the full story
  2. 02
    Cyber Security

    A SharePoint server flaw is under active attack

    US authorities added CVE-2026-45659 to their known-exploited list on 1 July and gave agencies three days to patch. It affects SharePoint you run on your own server, not the SharePoint that comes with Microsoft 365.

    Read the full story
  3. 03
    AI for Business

    The first ransomware attack run entirely by an AI

    Security firm Sysdig documented a break-in where an AI agent did the whole job on its own, from finding a way in to encrypting data. It got in through software left unpatched since 2025.

    Read the full story
  4. 04
    Connectivity & Broadband

    UK gigabit broadband coverage passes 91%

    Full-fibre reached about 85% of premises and gigabit-capable coverage 91% by early July, on independent thinkbroadband figures. The connection most businesses need to move off old copper lines is now available.

  5. 05
    Cyber Security

    Over 320 UK organisations reported ransomware last year, most of them smaller firms

    City of London Police figures for April 2025 to March 2026 show SMEs now make up more than half of reported ransomware cases, with real losses likely far higher than recorded. A national reporting campaign launched at the end of June.

What we’re watching

Microsoft's next Patch Tuesday lands on 14 July, so it is worth having your updates lined up. We are also watching for Ofcom's autumn decision on Openreach's proposed October prices for full fibre and leased lines, which will shape what a business connection costs at renewal. If you want a straight answer on what any of this means for your setup, that is a phone call away.

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Got a question this raises?

If anything here makes you wonder where your business stands, ask us. We'll give you a straight answer for your setup, with no obligation.