LAHORE: As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the cybersecurity landscape, organisations worldwide face mounting challenges in defending against sophisticated AI-powered attacks. Barriers such as skill shortages, a lack of AI-powered tools and the complexity of managing advanced cybersecurity infrastructures leave many businesses exposed to evolving threats.
In its latest study, titled ‘Cyber Defence & AI: Are You Ready to Protect Your Organisation?’, Kaspersky gathered insights from IT and information security professionals across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations. The research highlights a growing sense of urgency among businesses to prepare for AI-driven cyber threats, with 19 per cent of global respondents admitting to significant gaps in their cyber protection. The study also explores barriers to effective cybersecurity and the dire consequences of failing to adapt.
According to the findings, 44 per cent of organisations cite a lack of AI-related cybersecurity training for employees as a critical issue. Another 44 per cent point to the complexity of managing cybersecurity infrastructure, which makes it harder to stay ahead of attackers. The shortage of advanced tools is another key challenge. Nearly 43 per cent of respondents admitted that their organisations lack modern AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, while 41 per cent struggle with insufficient information from external experts on the evolving AI threat landscape. Additionally, 39 per cent report a shortage of qualified information security professionals, further exposing businesses to increasingly sophisticated threats.
The consequences of failing to adapt are severe and far-reaching. More than half of surveyed professionals (58 per cent globally) fear that unpreparedness could result in confidential data leaks, while 52 per cent anticipate a loss of customer trust, potentially leading to stock value declines and missed business opportunities. Reputational damage is a concern for 47 per cent of respondents, who worry about the long-term fallout from a cyberattack. Other potential consequences include financial penalties (33 per cent), investor withdrawals (31 per cent), lawsuits (29 per cent), and even partial business closures (23 per cent).
“The rise of AI-driven cyberattacks marks a turning point in the cybersecurity landscape. Organisations must act now to strengthen their defences by investing in AI-powered tools, training employees to recognise AI-related threats, and implementing cybersecurity controls for AI-integrated products and services. Failure to adapt could result in significant financial, operational, and reputational damage. Preparedness is not just an option – it is a necessity in this new era of cyber threats,” said Information Security Director at Kaspersky Alexey Vovk.
To protect businesses against AI-enabled cyber threats, Kaspersky recommends ensuring that all levels and components of an IT network are secured with robust, multi-layered protection solutions. Leveraging expert cybersecurity knowledge can help detect and contain increasingly sophisticated, targeted attacks.
