The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is astonishing and is being exploited by cybercriminals who are rapidly exploiting its ability to create realistic simulations to carry out highly sophisticated cyberattacks, including targeted phishing campaigns, social engineering attacks and voice/video cloning scams.
The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has been astonishing. The pace of AI innovation is advancing faster than any other technology we have seen before. Now available to everyone, AI is saving time and resources for businesses and cybersecurity providers around the world. It is also exploited by cybercriminals who are quickly exploiting its ability to create realistic simulations to carry out highly sophisticated cyberattacks, including targeted phishing campaigns, social engineering attacks, and voice/video cloning scams.
It’s no surprise that AI has been a central topic at cybersecurity conferences over the past couple of years. I recently attended the official Cybersecurity Summit in McLean, Virginia, where cybersecurity experts from various industries were in attendance. The event brought together providers such as Huguesinformation security analysts, business leaders including CISOs, CIOs, CTOs and CEOs, and government agencies such as the IRS and DHS.
The role of AI in modern cybersecurity
The fundamental goal of AI is to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, saving time and resources and improving our experiences. In the cybersecurity space, we see it serving two groups with two very distinct goals.
Cybersecurity Providers use AI to analyze networks, endpoints and traffic patterns to improve their products and protect their customers. AI is used to examine data and predict what might happen next, allowing proactive action to be taken before an incident occurs. Key components include real-time visibility, automated prevention and threat detection.
Cybercriminalsuse AI to refine their criminal activities with phishing, ransomware and deep fakes. The tactics tend to be similar: deceive a user, gain access, install malware, collect data, and take control.
Cybercriminals deceive users with more sophisticated methods. Gone are the days of pretending to be a prince from a distant kingdom; now they use generative AI to reproduce the voice, video and image of their target or someone the target knows. These advanced tactics have successfully deceived individuals at all levels, from new recruits to senior executives.
By leveraging generative AI, cybercriminals are refining their techniques, making system intrusions easier and more effective. AI-enhanced malware can autonomously steal sensitive data using new techniques, targeting specific users, interacting with those users, and posing as business-like interactions, which can evade some antivirus protections. Additionally, AI is used to falsify documents, which can lead to fraudulent business activities.
Is it possible to code software that prevents cyberattacks?
The short answer is that it may be possible. It is essential that software developers adhere to fundamental safety and security principles to protect users and their information from malicious actors. To achieve this, the code must be robust and secure, making unauthorized access either impossible or significantly difficult.
Since most software development lifecycle models do not cover 100% code efficiency and software security, it is crucial to incorporate practices such as the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) into every software development implementation. The SSDF framework is a set of essential and secure software development practices that help software developers minimize the number of vulnerabilities in their products, reduce the potential impact of undetected or unresolved vulnerabilities, and address root causes to prevent future problems.
Every business must understand the risks of AI and cyberattacks
A data breach occurs when unauthorized parties gain access to sensitive or confidential information, which can be burdensome for any business, but particularly for industries where customer data is very valuable, such as retail, banking and government. Franchises are also at high risk due to the unique geographic distribution inherent to the industry. franchise business model. Business cybersecurity efforts can become fragmented and less effective across multiple franchise locations, leading to a broader and more complex threat landscape. If a bad actor gains access to a franchisee, the entire franchise system could be at risk.
Data leaks are the unintentional or unauthorized transmission of sensitive information from an organization to an external recipient or destination. Data exposure occurs when sensitive information is accidentally or unintentionally disclosed to an unauthorized person or entity.
According to Statistin 2023, the number of data breaches in the United States stood at 3,205 cases. More than 353 million people have been affected by data compromises, including data breaches, leaks and exposures. The average cost per data breach in the United States amounted to $9.48 million, compared to $9.44 million the previous year.
A quote I heard at the conference really resonated with me: “AI will not replace humans, but humans with AI will replace humans without AI.” » This statement sends a powerful message that we must stay tuned to how AI is evolving and influencing the way we work, learn and protect our businesses.
