Cambridge-based Darktrace Reveals Top 5 Cybersecurity and AI Predictions for 2024
Darktrace, a cybersecurity company based in Cambridge, has recently unveiled its top five predictions for the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) in 2024. These predictions come after a critical year in AI development.
Derived from expert analyses and business trends, Darktrace’s insights forecast a year of significant change and challenges in the cyber domain, with real-world implications. Among the key predictions from Darktrace’s experts are a rise in climate hacktivism, escalating multilingual AI threats, and the emergence of the first ‘AI worm’.
One of the predictions focuses on the potential exploitation of elections. With crucial elections taking place in Russia, Ukraine, UK, and US, the use of cyber attacks to manipulate voters is not a new phenomenon. However, this year could see a new weapon being exploited – AI-generated deepfakes and propaganda. These tools could be used to either destabilize the vote or amplify one candidate over another. Darktrace emphasizes the importance of voters being mindful of the content they consume and the reputability of their sources.
Another prediction highlights the increasing multilingual nature of cyber threats. Traditionally, cyber-enabled social engineering attacks have been carried out in English, making the Asia-Pacific region a relatively safe haven from attackers due to its diverse languages. However, with the advent of Generative AI, composing text in foreign languages has become more accessible. Darktrace predicts that attackers will add new language capabilities, including Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and Hindi, making phishing in new languages a fertile ground for attackers and a weak spot for businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.
Darktrace also warns businesses about additional AI dangers. Malicious actors, nation-states, and ransomware groups are expected to leverage the widespread adoption of AI. Darktrace urges businesses to prepare for these advancing threats and highlights the possibility of witnessing the first AI worm in 2024. This aggressive autonomous agent would combine traditional worming ransomware with AI-driven automation, posing a significant risk to businesses’ software.
Furthermore, Darktrace anticipates a rise in climate “hacktivism” in cyberspace. While physical protests have caused disruption over the past year, experts predict that the next phase of climate change activism could be cyber-led. Campaigners may target fossil fuel companies with sophisticated cyber-attacks powered by AI, aiming to disrupt and send a strong message to polluters.
Lastly, Darktrace emphasizes the vulnerability of cloud environments for businesses’ cybersecurity. As more data storage and processing shift to the cloud, these platforms become prime targets for cybercriminals. Darktrace urges businesses to recognize and address this vulnerability.
Toby Lewis, Global Head of Threat Analysis at Darktrace, highlights the need for advanced, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. As cybercriminals become smarter and more sophisticated, businesses must equip themselves with the necessary tools to prevent and protect against attacks. Additionally, the public should be increasingly wary of their data and the content they consume.
Darktrace, with over 2,200 employees worldwide, protects approximately 8,900 customers globally from advanced cyber threats. The company’s innovations at its Cyber AI Research Centre in Cambridge have resulted in over 160 patents filed and research published to contribute to the cybersecurity community.