The Rise of AI in Cyber Security: How to Stay Ahead of Evolving Threats
Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace at the moment, and changing every industry – and the cyber security industry is no exception. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has brought with it a whole host of both opportunities and challenges. AI in cyber security can help make businesses more efficient by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. However, cyber criminals are also able to harness its power for more malicious purposes. Today’s businesses need to adapt their cyber security strategies, and at Infosec K2K, we can help fortify your defences to cope with the evolving threat that is AI.
The Dark Side of AI in Cybersecurity
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in cyber attacks, from ransomware to phishing. Last year, a survey showed that 72.7% of businesses around the world had been affected by ransomware attacks. This rise in cyber threats isn’t likely to slow down, unfortunately. This month, the National Cyber Security Centre in the UK warned that “All types of cyber threat actor – state and non-state, skilled and less skilled – are already using AI, to varying degrees” – and that AI will lead to an increase in cyber attacks.
2023 was considered to be a breakout year for generative AI, and 2024 could see it being more widely used by cyber criminals. Tools like chatbots can make it easier for attackers to craft more targeted and more convincing phishing emails, and advances in AI mean that it could soon be used to analyse and exploit patterns in user behaviour. AI algorithms can quickly analyse vast amounts of data. Although this can be useful for any business, it could also help cyber criminals identify high-value targets. AI will lower the threshold of entry for cyber criminals, making it easier for even the most unskilled of them to access tools like malware. They won’t have to create their own malware – instead, they can rely on AI tools that they find online.
AI in Action
AI can be used to create images and videos, but it can also be used to generate fake audio. Cyber criminals have already taken advantage of this fact in phishing attacks. Europol has identified a tool that can generate someone’s voice from just a five second clip. Back in 2019, criminals were able to use one of these audio deep fakes to trick the CEO of a UK energy company into paying them £200,000. The CEO thought he was speaking to the chief executive of the parent company. This was five years ago, and AI tools have advanced greatly – there are some criminals now using video deep fakes.
Last year, it was revealed that Russia was running a cyber warfare campaign with AI-generated news articles and more than 800 social media accounts. The content was targeting audiences in Germany, Ukraine, and the US. While this cybercrime was state-sponsored, ransomware gangs and cyber criminals working on their own are following suit. The most common signs to look out for in phishing emails are poor grammar and spelling mistakes. Generative AI tools, however, can make phishing campaigns more convincing than ever.
AI’s Growing Threat
The growing threat of AI has left many people worried. A recent Barracuda report showed that just 39% of companies surveyed believed their cyber infrastructure was adequately equipped to protect their data from Gen AI-powered automated security attacks. Here at Infosec K2K, we stand at the forefront of defending businesses against the evolving threat landscape. Our IAM solutions go beyond traditional security measures to provide a more comprehensive cyber security strategy.
When it comes to maintaining your cyber defences, Identity and Access Management (IAM) is key. It ensures your organisation’s assets are out of cybercriminals’ reach, and can only be accessed by authorised individuals. The IAM solutions we offer allow you to enforce strict authentication protocols and protect your data from unauthorised access. While AI poses challenges, it also presents an invaluable opportunity for businesses to strengthen their cyber security defences. By leveraging AI in conjunction with IAM solutions, organisations can turn the tables on cybercriminals. With AI-driven authentication methods like biometrics and anomaly detection, IAM can enhance your defences. AI-powered tools can even monitor your network and analyse users’ behaviour, alerting you if anything might indicate a breach.
The Role of Infosec K2K
At Infosec K2K, we understand that strategic partnerships play a pivotal role in delivering effective security solutions. We’ve partnered with a range of industry leaders like AT&T Cybersecurity, to offer our clients protection against AI-driven threats. With their AI-driven IAM solutions we provide real-time insights into cyber threats, helping businesses respond swiftly to any threats. AT&T Cybersecurity’s AI-powered tools also include threat detection and automated incident response. These help businesses stay one step ahead of cyber criminals.
With businesses forced to navigate the challenges of the AI era, here at Infosec K2K we’re a steadfast cyber partner. Our innovative IAM solutions adapt to the evolving cyber threat landscape, defending our clients against AI-driven threats while also harnessing the power to strengthen their cyber defences.
Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.
Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.