Cyberattacks in 2024: 87% Driven by AI

A recent report by SoSafe, a cybersecurity company focused on protecting organizations from advanced threats powered by #AI, illuminates the global tension between AI adoption and its associated security risks. The report features insights from 500 security professionals and 100 SoSafe clients across 10 countries.

AI-driven cyberattacks are no longer a future threat but a present reality. In the past year, 87% of organizations have fallen victim to such attacks, and 91% anticipate these threats will grow over the next three years—still, only 51% express concern over AI-generated attacks that conceal the attacker’s origin and intent.

Organizations face two major fears: 45% are worried about entirely new methods of attack, while 38% are most concerned about the speed and scale of automated threats.

Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to expand their attack surface. A concerning example involved the CEO of WWP: attackers used WhatsApp to build trust, Microsoft Teams to deepen engagement, and ultimately, a "deepfake" voice call to steal data and money. This highlights how AI doesn’t just evolve threats—it creates new security gaps.

Phishing has also evolved from simple emails to 3D phishing, combining voice, video, and AI to create more believable scams. Andrew Rose, CSO at SoSafe, warns that AI has taken attack personalization to another level, making it more sophisticated and complex to detect.

But the threat isn’t just from attackers. Well-intentioned AI used by companies can also backfire. Hackers can exploit chatbots designed to help employees extract sensitive data or map critical assets.

Still, it's not all bad news. Niklas Hellemann, CEO of SoSafe, emphasizes that AI is one of our best cybersecurity tools. But no technology is effective without a well-prepared team behind it. Education and cybersecurity awareness are crucial—without trained employees, no tech solution can fully protect an organization.

At WAU, we understand this challenge: combining artificial intelligence with human expertise is key to staying ahead of threats and strengthening digital security. That's why we work closely with specialized cybersecurity partners in our projects, recognizing the ever-changing nature of these attacks.

Do you think we’re ready to face this challenge?