Priya PatelTLDR:
- The NCSC warns that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber attacks is expected to increase the global ransomware threat over the next two years.
- AI lowers entry barriers for cybercriminals and allows them to carry out more efficient access and information-gathering operations.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a warning about the projected increase in the global ransomware threat due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). According to the NCSC, the use of AI in malicious cyber activity is expected to heighten the volume and impact of cyber attacks. AI lowers the entry barriers for inexperienced cybercriminals, hackers-for-hire, and hacktivists, allowing them to carry out more efficient access and information-gathering operations. The combination of AI’s capabilities in enhancing victim targeting and the increased accessibility to cyber attack tools is expected to exponentially amplify the global ransomware threat over the next two years.
Ransomware is currently the principal cyber threat facing organizations and businesses in the United Kingdom. To counter this growing threat, the UK government has allocated £2.6 billion through its Cyber Security Strategy to strengthen the country’s resilience. The NCSC and the private sector have started utilizing AI solutions to enhance cybersecurity resilience, with a focus on advanced threat detection and security-by-design.
Suid Adeyanju, Chief Executive Officer of Riversafe, expressed the need for organizations to increase their threat intelligence and adopt comprehensive strategies that blend advanced technologies and heightened observability. Adeyanju also emphasized the importance of comprehensive training programs for all staff and securing data and mitigating risks as top priorities for businesses.
The UK government’s commitment to addressing these threats is reflected in its investment in the AI sector, which employs 50,000 people and contributes £3.7 billion to the economy. The government sees technology as a critical factor in driving the evolution of the national economy and job market, aligning with the Prime Minister’s five key priorities.
The issue of AI and security was also addressed at the AI Safety Summit hosted in the UK, where The Bletchley Declaration was endorsed. This declaration announces a global initiative to mitigate the risks associated with AI and promote its secure and responsible advancement.
