6 Tactics to Strengthen Your Defences Against AI-Generated Phishing Threats

24/04/2024

In our ever-changing digital world, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and phishing is developing into a major concern. Attackers are using advanced tactics like artificial intelligence (AI) in conjunction with phishing to exploit existing vulnerabilities. While the combination of AI and phishing pose a formidable challenge, staying informed and taking proactive steps against these threats can mean your organisation is in a resilient position to defend itself.

In this blog, we will explore how AI is utilised in phishing attacks, the implications of its use and how organisations can protect their networks and data from these sophisticated threats.

Did You Know?

89% of businesses experienced a phishing attack in 20231	68% of businesses experienced a fraud event that stemmed from a phishing attack1	60% of businesses fail 6 months after a cyberattack2

How is AI Used in Phishing Attacks?

Phishing attacks have evolved over the years from generic emails to highly targeted and convincing campaigns. In the age of AI, attackers are leveraging machine learning algorithms to create personalised and contextually relevant phishing campaigns. This makes it imperative for organisations to be vigilant and adopt advanced cybersecurity strategies to counteract these evolving threats.

Phishing isn’t just limited to the use of email, it also occurs through ‘smishing’ via text messages and ‘vishing’ using phone calls. The evolution of AI has increased the sophistication of these attacks, enabling the creation of convincing content with minimal human effort.

Grant Thornton recently highlighted that AI’s use can include employing ChatGPT to generate authentic-sounding business emails, utilising deepfake tools for realistic voice replication in vishing attempts or the creation of lifelike images. This means the traditional red flags of phishing like spelling mistakes or incorrect terminology, are becoming less reliable, making it increasingly challenging to spot a phish.

How Can You Combat Phishing Threats Using AI?

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, safeguarding your organisation against phishing threats demands a multifaceted approach.  Explore our short guide to strengthening your defences below.

> Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

Firstly, although it’s not powered by AI, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a straightforward additional step that can enhance the security of your online accounts. This extra security measure decreases the risk of unauthorised access by potential attackers, thereby safeguarding your sensitive data and helping to prevent any phishing attempts.

> Advanced Email Security Solutions

Adopting email security solutions powered by AI can enhance the detection, alerting, and blocking of phishing attempts. These advanced security features analyse email patterns, content, and sender behaviour in emails, effectively identifying and thwarting phishing attempts that target your users.

> User Education and Awareness

It’s paramount to educate your users about the evolving nature of phishing attacks. Training programs that simulate realistic phishing scenarios can help users to learn to recognise the red flags of a phishing attempt, fostering a culture of heightened awareness within your organisation.

> Behavioural Analysis

AI-driven behavioural analysis tools can monitor your users’ behaviour to identify unusual patterns that may indicate a compromised account. This proactive approach allows for swift intervention before a phishing attack can fully escalate.

> Regular Security Audits

Conducting regular security audits helps to identify vulnerabilities within your organisation’s systems and processes. By utilising AI within these audits, you can uncover any potential weaknesses that could be exploited by a phishing attack.

> Threat Intelligence Sharing

Collaborative efforts within the cybersecurity community are essential to combat the threats posed by advanced phishing techniques. Sharing threat intelligence enables organisations to stay ahead of emerging phishing techniques along with collectively strengthening our defences.

Protect Your Organisation from AI Generated Threats

As organisations confront the challenges of phishing in the age of AI, a holistic approach to cybersecurity is essential. By combining advanced technology with user education, you can fortify your defences against the ever-evolving threat landscape.

As a leading provider of modern cybersecurity and compliance solutions for businesses and schools across Cornwall, Devon and the South West, NCI Technologies can support your organisation to improve its defences against emerging cyber threats.

Our all-in-one IT support solution, PROsupport Modern Workplace, guarantees the security, compliance, and connectivity of every user device within your organisation. This also means your users benefit from access to the expert knowledge of our service desk and essential learning resources.

Alongside our PROsupport Modern Workplace solution, we provide a variety of conventional managed services, embodying the reliability and expertise you’d expect from a trusted and long-standing Managed Service Provider.

For more information contact us today, alternatively book a Teams or in-person meeting with our friendly sales team.

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