AI’s Dual Role in Cybersecurity
Experian’s annual breach forecast puts artificial intelligence firmly in the spotlight, emphasizing its role as both a powerful tool and a potential threat in the realm of cybersecurity.
According to Michael Bruemmer, vice president of global data breach resolution at Experian, while ransomware and supply chain breaches dominated headlines in 2024, the landscape is set for a shift as AI-related cyber threats come to the forefront in 2025.
Many businesses are now harnessing the benefits of AI technologies.
However, Bruemmer points out a troubling trend: executives often have a limited grasp of the advantages and risks this technology brings.
Alarmingly, AI has been linked to around 75% of cyberattacks, which is why Experian emphasizes AI in four out of five of its significant predictions for the Data Breach Industry Forecast.
Emerging Vulnerabilities and Trends
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting data centers, and the rise of generative AI complicates matters even further.
For instance, the energy demands of powerful AI models, like ChatGPT, are reported to be ten times greater than that of a typical Google search.
This staggering energy requirement introduces a new vulnerability where hackers could potentially disrupt the power supplies critical for cloud infrastructure on a national scale.
Young people, particularly tech-savvy teens and young adults, are likely to lead the charge in this evolving cyber landscape, captivated by their interests in online gaming and social media.
Bruemmer warns against underestimating this trend, highlighting that the average age of those arrested for cybercrimes hovers around 19.
The Evolving Threat Landscape
While the tech landscape continues to evolve, traditional risks from employees remain a concern.
Staff members have long been a source of internal cybersecurity threats.
As organizations roll out AI training, there’s a darker flip side: this same knowledge can be exploited for fraudulent activities or other disruptions.
Moreover, AI-fueled fraud is advancing quickly, rendering traditional security measures—like encryption—less effective.
Experian predicts that criminals will soon create virtually indistinguishable proof-of-life documents.
To stay ahead, the organization advises government agencies to shift toward dynamic identification methods rather than depending on outdated tools like driver’s licenses and Social Security cards.
In another noteworthy trend, the report underscores the rising occurrence of attacks among cybercriminals themselves.
The distinction between attackers and their targets is blurring, revealing a complex and ever-evolving cyber threat landscape that continues to shift under the influence of modern technology.
Source: Insurancejournal.com
