1. Phishing = a persistent cyber threat fueled by the rise of AI capabilities
Indeed, phishing has been one of the most common cyber threats for many years. It remains the predominant method used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. The situation is exacerbated by AI-driven techniques that have greatly increased the sophistication of phishing campaigns and phishing attacks. Using machine learning algorithms, attackers can create highly personalised phishing messages that mimic legitimate communications, increasing the likelihood of deceiving the recipient. These messages may traditionally take the form of an email or text message, but are also now appearing in 3D vector form as audio recordings or video with a high degree of authenticity.
Artificial intelligence systems handle analyzing vast amounts of data from publicly available information to identify potential targets and tailor messages to elicit a response and specific vulnerabilities of their target. In addition, AI can be used to develop evasive malware that adapts its behavior to avoid detection by traditional security measures such as antivirus software. This dynamic adaptability makes it difficult for cybersecurity to keep up, requiring the constant evolution of security strategies to counter these advanced threats.
2. Public cloud resources and remote access
Securing public cloud resources has become a critical issue as more and more organizations migrate their operations to the cloud. This trend brings many benefits such as increased flexibility, scalability and reduced IT infrastructure costs. However, with these benefits come new security challenges that require innovative approaches to protect sensitive data and systems. For example, according to a survey by BeyondTrust, 74% of all public cloud security breaches involve human factors, which include configuration errors, misuse of permissions, as well as the use of the aforementioned phishing campaigns and stolen login credentials. This trend highlights the importance of educating and training employees on cyber security and implementing robust security measures,
The solution?
To address these issues, many adopt the Zero Trust security model, which operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify”. This approach ensures that every access request is thoroughly authenticated, authorized and encrypted, regardless of its origin. In practice, this means that no user or device is automatically considered trusted, even within the internal network. By implementing Zero Trust, organizations can better protect their cloud environments from unauthorized access and potential breaches, thereby increasing overall security and resilience to cyber threats.
3. Zero day vulnerabilities
In the past year, there has been a significant increase in attackers exploiting zero day vulnerabilities in high-end enterprise technologies. These zero day exploits, which take advantage of previously unknown security vulnerabilities, have become more common as cybercriminals use AI to more effectively identify and exploit these weaknesses. AI-driven tools can quickly scan and analyse enterprise systems to uncover vulnerabilities that might otherwise go unnoticed. This trend underscores the urgent need for organizations to improve their cybersecurity measures and adopt proactive strategies to detect and mitigate these sophisticated threats.
How to defend yourself?
Defending against zero day vulnerabilities requires a multi-layered approach known as Defence in Depth. This strategy involves implementing multiple security measures at different layers of an organization’s IT infrastructure to create redundancy and reduce the likelihood of a successful attack. One effective technique in this framework is network microsegmentation, which divides the network into smaller isolated segments. Doing so, even if an attacker exploits a zero-day vulnerability in one segment, will prevent him from moving laterally across the network. This containment strategy significantly reduces potential damage and improves the overall security posture of the organization.
System4’s SecuRadar service provides advanced tools for real-time threat detection and prevention. It uses a Zero Trust approach, which means that every interaction within the system is authenticated. With different service variants – Lite, Complete and Ultimate – it offers solutions to meet the needs of small and large organisations.
