AI as a new weapon for cybercriminals. How to protect your network?

The field of cybersecurity is undergoing a period of great change. Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing the face of cyberattacks. Attackers are using generative AI to create malicious code, convincing phishing, to bypass traditional security measures, or to create increasingly frequent deepfake video and audio scams, in which, for example, they very convincingly imitate the face and voice of the "victim". What we would previously have described as crazy science fiction is often becoming reality.

Groups like Volt Typhoon can operate undetected for months on critical infrastructure networks. AI also allows malware to hide, change its behavior on the fly, and adapt to its environment.

Why is traditional network defense no longer enough?
The old model of protecting only the perimeter no longer works. Attackers can get in through an unsecured port or phishing attack and then roam the network. If the infrastructure is not partitioned and access is not controlled, the consequences can often be catastrophic.

What should a network administrator focus on as soon as possible?

Implementing microsegmentation and Zero Trust access
Separate the network into smaller parts and set rules that allow only necessary communication. Microsegmentation stops an attacker before it spreads.

Deploying a NAC solution
Network Access Control (NAC) verifies each device and user before connecting to the network. Unauthorized devices are quarantined. Modern NAC can assign VLANs based on the identity and type of device - this way, an IP camera cannot access company data.