Artificial Intelligence is changing the cybersecurity equation and new threats are facing companies
The cybersecurity sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation due to artificial intelligence, which provides powerful tools for detecting and responding to threats, but at the same time it has become a weapon in the hands of attackers to launch more sophisticated and targeted attacks, such as advanced phishing attacks and attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
According to a recent study by Arkose Labs, 80% of companies are still not prepared to counter AI-driven cyberattacks, revealing a significant gap in corporate preparedness to counter these evolving threats.
The big surprise is that businesses are only beginning to see the impact that AI tools will have on the cybersecurity landscape. These tools will fundamentally change the way attackers and defenders alike operate, and if businesses continue to delay updating their security strategies, countering sophisticated AI-powered threats could become increasingly difficult.
The study showed a significant increase in the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks since the advent of generative AI tools. 56% of survey respondents reported that generative AI has increased the level of cyber threats their companies face, making them more complex.
Additionally, 88% of respondents indicated that their companies have been subjected to more attacks from AI bots in the past two years compared to traditional attacks. These attacks have targeted several vital sectors, such as healthcare, fintech, aviation, and hospitality, due to their sensitive data, complex digital infrastructure, and increasing reliance on cloud applications.
Many companies are struggling with a shortage of skilled AI and cybersecurity personnel, making it difficult to counter these threats. Hackers have started using bots to hijack legitimate company accounts and create fake accounts, and some bots have even started targeting large language model systems themselves, in an attempt to collect data to train their own models or sell AI services.
This comes at a time when generative AI technologies are rapidly transforming, enabling hackers to automate phishing and social engineering attacks more efficiently and quickly than humans. A report from Morgan Stanley suggests that AI could help generate phishing emails that are more targeted and faster than traditional methods, making attacks more effective. AI algorithms have also shown increasing skill at cracking passwords, making it more difficult to protect accounts from being hacked.
According to the Arkose Labs study, there is a discrepancy in how prepared companies are to face these threats. While some are falsely optimistic, others acknowledge the magnitude of the challenge they face. However, companies that already rely on AI-powered security tools are better prepared to combat these threats.
To address these growing challenges, companies must take proactive steps that include:
- Invest in training and development: Companies must educate their employees on the latest developments in AI and cybersecurity.
- Adopt advanced security solutions: Companies must use machine learning techniques to detect abnormal behavior patterns and new threats.
- Collaborate with experts: It is essential to collaborate with AI and cybersecurity experts to develop effective defense strategies.
- Update security policies and procedures: Companies should periodically adjust their security policies to keep pace with evolving threats.
Protecting businesses from advanced cyber attacks is a significant challenge, but with investment in technology and infrastructure, as well as ongoing training and collaboration with experts, these threats can be overcome and systems and data protected.