Managing The Effects Of AI-Driven Cyber Attacks

Leading cyber protection firm, Acronis, has released the findings of its Mid-Year Cyberthreats Report, called From Innovation to Risk: Managing the Implications of AI-driven Cyberattacks. The is based on data captured from more than one million global endpoints, provides insight into the evolving cyber security landscape and uncovers the growing use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, such as ChatGPT, by cyber criminals to craft malicious content and execute sophisticated attacks.

The biannual threat report highlights ransomware as the dominant risk to small and medium-sized businesses. And while the number of new ransomware variants continues to decline, ransomware attacks' severity remains significant. 

Equally concerning is the growing prominence of data stealers, who leverage stolen credentials to gain unauthorised access to sensitive information. “The volume of threats in 2023 has surged relative to last year, a sign that criminals are scaling and enhancing how they compromise systems and execute attacks,” said Candid Wüest, Acronis VP of Research. “To address the dynamic threat landscape, organisations need agile, comprehensive, unified security solutions that provide the necessary visibility to understand attacks, simplify context, and provide efficient remediation of any threat, whether it may be malware, system vulnerability, and everything in between.”

According to the report's findings, phishing is the primary method criminals leverage to unearth login credentials. In the first half of 2023 alone, the number of email-based phishing attacks has surged 464% when compared to 2022. 

Over the same frame, there has also been a 24% increase in attacks per organisation. In the first half of 2023, Acronis-monitored endpoints observed a 15% increase in the number of files and URLs per scanned email. Cyber criminals have also tapped into the burgeoning large language model (LLM)-based AI market, using platforms to create, automate, scale, and improve new attacks through active learning.  

The Cyber Attack Landscape Is Evolving 

Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their attacks, using AI and existing ransomware code to drill deeper into victims’ systems and extract sensitive information. AI-created malware is adept at avoiding detection in traditional antivirus models and public ransomware cases have exploded relative to last year. 

Acronis-monitored endpoints are picking up valuable data about how these cyber criminals operate and recognises how some attacks have become more intelligent, sophisticated, and difficult to detect.

Drawing from extensive research and analysis, key findings from the Report include:    

  • Acronis blocked almost 50 million URLs at the endpoint in Q1 2023, a 15% increase over Q4 2022. 
  • There were 809 publicly mentioned ransomware cases in Q1 2023, with a 62% spike in March over the monthly average of 270 cases.
  • In Q1 2023, 30.3% of all received emails were spam and 1.3% contained malware or phishing links.  
  • Each malware sample lives an average of 2.1 days in the wild before it disappears. 73% of samples were only seen once.
  • Public AI models are proving an unwitting accomplice for criminals looking for source code vulnerabilities, creating attacks and developing fraud prevention-thwarting attacks like deep fakes. 

 Cyber criminal gangs phish to acquire credentials, extract data and dollars, of note:    

  • Phishing remained the most popular form of stealing credentials, making up 73% of all attacks. Business email compromises (BECs) were second, at 15%.
  • The LockBit gang was responsible for major data breaches.
  • Clop breached a mental health provider’s system, affecting the personal and HIPAA-covered data of more than 783,000 individuals.
  • BlackCat stole more than 2TB of secret military data, which included personal information of employees and customers, from an Indian industrial manufacturer.
  • Vice Society compromised 1,200 servers and the personal information of 43,000 students, 4,000 academic staff and 1,500 administrative staff at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. 

Breaches Demonstrate Major Security Concerns 

Traditional cybersecurity methods and lack of action let attackers in, the report shares:   

  • There is a lack of strong security solutions in place that can detect zero-day vulnerability exploitations.
  • Organisations often fail to update vulnerable software in a timely manner, long after a fix becomes available.  
  • Linux servers face inadequate protection against the cyber criminals who are increasingly going after them.  
  • Not all organisations follow proper data backup protocol, including the 3-2-1 rule.

With these trends in mind, Acronis emphasises the need for proactive cyber protection measures. 

A sound cyber security posture requires a multi-layered solution that combines anti-malware, EDR, DLP, email security, vulnerability assessment, patch management, RMM, and backup capabilities. 

Leveraging an advanced solution that combines AI, machine learning, and behavioural analysis can help mitigate the risks posed by ransomware and data stealers. 

Through ongoing research, development, and collaboration with industry partners, Acronis is committed to empowering individuals and businesses by providing innovative solutions which protect against emerging cyberthreats. 

You Might Also Read: 

Is It Possible To Trust AI Decision-Making In Cybersecurity?:

_________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

 


Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible


 

 

« WatchGuard Expands Identity Protection Capabilities
Britain's Biggest Hospital Held To Ransom »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Versasec

Versasec

Versasec is a leader in identity and access management, providing customers with security solutions for managing digital identities.

Tanium

Tanium

Tanium delivers Autonomous Endpoint Management (AEM) with the industry’s only true real-time platform for AI.

7 Elements

7 Elements

7 Elements is an independent IT security testing company providing expertise in technical information assurance through security testing, incident response and consultancy.

NetSPI

NetSPI

NetSPI is an information security penetration testing and vulnerability assessment management advisory firm.

CloudBolt Software

CloudBolt Software

CloudBolt provide solutions for your toughest cloud challenges. From automation, to cost and security, and hybrid IT governance — we have you covered.

Secureframe

Secureframe

Companies from startups to enterprises use Secureframe to automate SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance, complete audits, and continuously monitor their security.

Etisalat and (e&)

Etisalat and (e&)

Etisalat Group is one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets.

Shield Capital

Shield Capital

Shield Capital helps founders build frontier solutions in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space & autonomy for commercial and government enterprises.

Riskonnect

Riskonnect

Riskonnect technology empowers organizations with the ability to anticipate, manage, and respond in real-time to strategic, operational, and digital risks across the extended enterprise.

Saiflow

Saiflow

SaiFlow provides a tailor-made cybersecurity solution for Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure (EVCI), Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and energy networks and assets.

Ventum Consulting

Ventum Consulting

Ventum Consulting stands for digitalization, networking and agilization. We take this up on the strategic, professional and technical side and support our customers in the digital transformation.

Dryad Global

Dryad Global

Dryad Global offers a comprehensive suite of maritime intelligence solutions, including a best-in-class situational awareness, planning and security system and industry-leading cyber protection tools.

Omnex

Omnex

Omnex provides consulting and training services in Quality, Environmental, and Health and Safety standards-based management systems including Automotive Cybersecurity.

Cyber Advisors

Cyber Advisors

Cyber Advisors offers customizable cyber security solutions and IT services for businesses of all sizes across the nation from experts you can trust.

Konsulko Group

Konsulko Group

Konsulko Group offers embedded Linux software and hardware development and Yocto Project services.

Ciena

Ciena

Ciena is a global leader in optical and routing systems, services, and automation software. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to address ever-increasing digital demands.