By Emmanuel Tzingakis, Technical Lead, Africa and Venture Markets at Trend Micro
In the fast-evolving cyber risk landscape, it’s crucial to focus on the everyday risks that businesses face and the practical steps to mitigate them, amidst the captivating headlines of futuristic threats.
Africa is not immune to the surge of AI-driven techniques reshaping the global threat landscape. With sophisticated fraud schemes on the rise, propelled by advancements in generative AI and deepfakes, businesses need to rethink their cybersecurity strategies to stay ahead in this advancing game.
During Trend Micro’s recent World Tour in Johannesburg, actionable insights were shared on how businesses can effectively counter the emerging challenges posed by AI advancements.
A New Wave of AI-Powered Phishing Emerges
Attackers are now leveraging AI to craft hyper-personalised phishing messages by mining social media interactions. This raises the stakes for businesses, demanding a more vigilant approach to cybersecurity.
Deepfakes Are Becoming Mainstream
The rise of deepfakes poses a significant threat, with incidents increasing due to advanced AI tools. Fraudsters can convincingly mimic voices and faces, blurring the line between real and fake with alarming precision.
AI Is Exposing Deeper Gaps in Data Governance
AI tools can inadvertently reveal sensitive information if proper access restrictions are not in place, highlighting the importance of robust data governance and permissions management within organisations.
Open-Source Is an Avenue for Malicious Code
Developers using open-source repositories for AI applications must be cautious of potential vulnerabilities that could be introduced into their systems, underscoring the need for careful vetting of tools and models.
Hallucinations Can Prove Catastrophic
AI models generating false information can have serious consequences, emphasizing the importance of quality assurance processes tailored to AI systems to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
The path forward involves enhanced visibility, continuous monitoring of AI interactions, and evolving application security processes to address the new AI-driven threat landscape. With defensive AI outpacing offensive capabilities, the future of cybersecurity lies in anticipating and responding smarter to emerging challenges.
