AI to Substantially Increase Cyber Threats, Warns UK National Cyber Security Centre
A report published by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns that AI will significantly increase cyber threats over the next two years.
Rise of Ransomware Attacks
The centre warns of a surge in ransomware attacks, involving hackers deploying malicious software to encrypt a victim’s files or entire system and demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key.
Enhanced Phishing Attacks
The NCSC assessment predicts that AI will enhance threat actors’ capabilities mainly in carrying out more persuasive phishing attacks that trick individuals into providing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
Generative AI: A Key Contributor to the Rising Threat Landscape
The advent of generative AI, capable of creating convincing interactions and documents free of common phishing red flags, is identified as a key contributor to the rising threat landscape over the next two years.
Challenges in Cyber Resilience
The NCSC assessment identifies challenges in cyber resilience, citing the difficulty in verifying the legitimacy of emails and password reset requests due to generative AI and large language models. The shrinking time window between security updates and threat exploitation further complicates rapid vulnerability patching for network managers.
Boosting Capabilities of Cyber Criminals
James Babbage, director general for threats at the National Crime Agency, commented: "AI services lower barriers to entry, increasing the number of cyber criminals, and will boost their capability by improving the scale, speed, and effectiveness of existing attack methods."
Potential for AI in Cybersecurity
However, the NCSC report also outlines how AI could bolster cybersecurity through improved attack detection and system design. It calls for further research on how developments in defensive AI solutions can mitigate evolving threats.
Conclusions
The report warns that AI is poised to substantially change the cyber risk landscape in the near future. Continuous investment in defensive capabilities and research will be vital to counteract its potential to empower attackers.
FAQs
- What does the report predict about the future of cyber threats?
- The report predicts a significant increase in cyber threats over the next two years, driven by the adoption of AI.
- What is the main contributor to the rising threat landscape?
- The advent of generative AI, capable of creating convincing interactions and documents free of common phishing red flags, is identified as a key contributor to the rising threat landscape.
- How will AI impact the capabilities of cyber criminals?
- AI services will lower barriers to entry, increasing the number of cyber criminals, and will boost their capability by improving the scale, speed, and effectiveness of existing attack methods.
