A new survey from cloud connectivity company Cloudflare Inc. reveals that businesses in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on data breaches.
The report, titled “Navigating the New Security Landscape: Asia Pacific Cybersecurity Readiness Survey,” highlights the growing sophistication of cyberattacks as AI evolves.
According to the Cloudflare survey, 87% of cybersecurity leaders are concerned that AI could make data breaches worse. Additionally, 41% of respondents said they had experienced at least one data breach in the past year, with industries such as construction, travel and financial services most affected by these attacks. The most commonly targeted data includes customer information, user IDs, and financial details.
The potential role of AI in the rise of cybercrime is alarming to many. Half of respondents expect AI to crack passwords, while others predict it will boost phishing and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Some even predict AI will be used to create convincing deepfakes that could further compromise security.
Ransomware
In response to these threats, 70% of organizations are adjusting their operations. Companies are focusing on improving governance, enhancing cybersecurity strategies, and increasing collaboration with IT vendors. Investments in AI-based security tools and the recruitment of specialized analysts are becoming priorities.
Despite increased awareness and precautions, ransomware remains a significant problem, with 62% of affected organizations paying a ransom despite policies against doing so. The survey shows notable differences between countries, with India and Hong Kong more likely to pay, while South Korea and Japan remain steadfast in their refusal.
Cloudflare highlights that managing AI risks is a growing challenge for cybersecurity leaders in the region.
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