NCSC issues a high-confidence warning on escalating ransomware attacks driven by AI advancements, drawing from classified data and industry expertise.
NCSC issues a high-confidence warning on escalating ransomware attacks driven by AI advancements, drawing from classified data and industry expertise. The comprehensive intelligence assessment, released on Wednesday, expresses “almost certain” confidence in the surge, marking the highest rating by British intelligence analysts.
Experts at NCSC, a branch of GCHQ, caution that AI tools disproportionately benefit threat actors. Generative AI enhances reconnaissance and social engineering, while AI’s role in cyber operations is likely accessible to well-resourced actors by 2025.
The report underscores a limitation in AI tools for advanced hacking, emphasizing the need for developers to access high-quality exploit data. Until 2025, effective AI use in cyber operations depends on quality data. As successful hacks occur, threat actors can train more sophisticated tools, creating a feedback loop.
Recent ICO data reveals a substantial increase in ransomware attacks in 2023. James Babbage, director general at the National Crime Agency, emphasizes the ongoing threat of ransomware due to AI advancements. Lindy Cameron, NCSC’s outgoing CEO, sees AI’s role as evolutionary, urging adherence to NCSC advice for cybersecurity resilience.
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