To stay ahead of these threats, your security team needs to embrace automation and leverage AI-driven solutions. BDO's cybersecurity services are here to help you navigate this complex terrain and fortify your defenses against the next wave of ransomware attacks.
The Dual Nature of Generative AI
Generative AI has introduced a new dimension to the cybersecurity landscape. On the one hand, it aids in enhancing cybersecurity defenses by automating routine tasks, detecting patterns invisible to the human eye, and addressing critical vulnerabilities. On the other hand, it has also enabled cybercriminals to conduct more sophisticated and targeted attacks. According to recent studies, over 80% of cyber incidents are due to human error. This statistic underscores the importance of leveraging AI to bridge the gap and enhance your organization's security posture.
For the defender, AI's contributions to cybersecurity are multifaceted. It helps cyber leaders address critical vulnerabilities, automates routine cybersecurity tasks, and detects patterns that are invisible to humans. By integrating AI into your security operations, you can significantly reduce the risk of human error and improve your organization's ability to respond to threats in real-time.
Generative AI is Enhancing Cyberattacks
While AI has allowed enterprises to drive advanced data analysis, communication, and operational efficiency, it has also enabled threat actors to conduct more sophisticated cyberattacks. Cybercriminals now use the power of AI to enhance existing tactics and enable new types of attacks. This is why security leaders must evolve their defenses quickly. A recent survey revealed that 84% of CEOs are concerned about widespread or catastrophic cybersecurity attacks as a result of generative AI. Additionally, CEOs anticipate their AI cybersecurity budgets to increase by 43% by 2025.
High-scale electronic threats are accelerated by generative AI, enabling both social engineering and technically-led exploitation. Your organization requires a coordinated program to reduce risks and protect against ransomware emails or executive text scams. The attack chain typically involves reconnaissance, access, execution, persistence, lateral movement, and exploitation. By understanding and addressing each phase of the attack chain, your organization can better protect itself against these sophisticated threats.
The Role of Policy and Culture
Your defense starts long before the attack. Effective security policy, social media policy, and user training are critical components of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Policies set the foundation for expected behaviors and establish the enterprise framework for allowed technologies. Cultural engagement ensures that everyone feels like they are part of the security program, which is essential for creating a security-conscious organization.
With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, a new wrinkle is added for business leaders to address: governing when Artificial Intelligence enhanced tooling is acceptable for use in the enterprise, and how and when to report when things go wrong.
Technical Controls and Automation
Surrounding your team with effective technical controls is crucial for recognizing and mitigating threats at scale. Automated malware filtering, link inspection, and DNS inspection are examples of technical systems that can help identify and block malicious activities. AI-driven solutions can provide real-time threat intelligence and make decisions about the risk of an activity, ensuring that your organization remains protected against evolving threats.
Incident Detection and Response
Despite the best preventive measures, incidents can still occur. Having a prepared playbook for incident detection and response is critical. Your team needs to be led through predefined scenarios to ensure that they can respond effectively during a time of stress. BDO provides incident response and forensics services to help organizations navigate the aftermath of a cyber incident. Our services, combined with continuous testing and validation, help your organization be prepared to contain, isolate, and restore operations quickly.