Hackers are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to launch attacks against physical infrastructure, potentially threatening critical services and commerce.
F.B.I. I recently received a warning Congress has reported that hackers from China are penetrating deeply into U.S. cyber infrastructure with the intent to cause harm. Hackers backed by the Chinese government have focused their attacks on critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, electrical systems, and oil and gas pipelines. Experts say the activity in China is a sign of the growing use of AI in cyberattacks, which could impact how companies function.
The cyber crime rate is escalate, experts have warned that the growing adoption of AI in cyberattacks poses significant risks to business operations. This trend highlights the urgent need for businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity measures in response to these advanced threats.
“AI, in a sense, gives us all kinds of superpowers,” said Luke Plaster, chief security architect at a cybersecurity firm. io.finnetsaid in an interview with PYMNTS. “Unfortunately, this means that malicious intruders now have access to a new combination of social engineering tactics and tools such as large-scale language models. [LLMs] To create more effective attacks.
“For example, LLM can generate convincing spear-phishing emails to gain initial access, which can then be tracked by AI-generated malware to exploit vulnerabilities and escalate the attacker’s privileges. .”
AI as a cyber weapon
Criminals can now use AI to automate the creation of malware on almost anything connected to the internet, Antonio Sanchez, Principal Evangelist Cyber security provider Fortrasaid in an interview with PYMNTS. He added: “A malicious party could use his AI to write code that would disable the machine or cause it to operate at a dangerous level, with catastrophic consequences.” added.
Cyber-attacks on infrastructure are more than just hypothetical threats.of Attack on Colonial Pipeline in 2021 Plaster said it demonstrated how ransomware can be harmful to critical services and cause significant disruption. Similarly, Hackers attack Ukraine’s power griddemonstrated the ability to attack systems that control industries and cause large-scale power outages.
In recent deepfake incidents, Financial staff tricked into authorizing $25 million transfer Plaster said it reveals an “astonishing evolution” in cyber-physical attack technology.
“Threat actors are leveraging AI to create highly convincing deepfakes that can fool even the most wary of individuals,” Plaster said. “These examples highlight the need for organizations to continually reassess their defenses against these multifaceted and advanced threats.”
Part of the problem is that cyber-physical systems are often aging. They typically use technologies and protocols created in the 1970s and 1980s and are designed with more than just security in mind, and include common security features such as encryption, integrity checks, and authentication. Measures are being ignored. GuidePoint Securitysaid in an interview with PYMNTS.
“Retrofitting or redesigning these systems to incorporate basic security controls presents significant challenges and can be costly,” he added.
AI for defense
While AI provides powerful tools for attackers, it can also serve as a powerful ally in defense. AI is start a revolution How security teams can manage cyber threats and improve the speed and efficiency of their operations. AI streamlines the early stages of incident investigation by sifting through large amounts of data and identifying complex patterns. These advanced technologies give security professionals a comprehensive overview of the situation from the beginning, speeding up the response process.
Cybersecurity professionals are using AI not only to defend against AI-powered cyberattacks, but also to enhance predictive analytics, improve threat detection, refine investigation methods, assist AI co-pilots, and automate workflows. Masu.
“Organizations generate vast amounts of security-related data every day that the human mind can barely comprehend,” said Adam Geller, CEO of a security company. xerbeamsaid in an interview with PYMNTS. “However, GenAI and machine learning (ML) offer some of the best technologies for identifying patterns in these data stores.”
AI can also help businesses by transforming patch management, which improves software defenses against cyber-attacks by updating to the latest versions. Recent data breaches demonstrate the inefficiency and outdated nature of traditional methods, which require a lot of manual labor, says CEO Josh Aaron. Aiden Technologiessaid in an interview with PYMNTS.
“AI-powered tools that help businesses detect and stop software attacks include advanced solutions such as AI-based hyperautomation,” he added. “These tools go beyond traditional patch management methods to increase efficiency, security, and compliance when dealing with evolving digital threats.
“By adopting AI and hyperautomation, organizations can not only protect their digital assets, but also increase workforce efficiency and engagement in a rapidly changing digital environment.”
