Rethinking network security in an Al-driven threat era

Cyber threats are scaling fast, powered by AI and hiding in core network layers. As enterprises move to multi-cloud and automation, the real risk lies in what they continue to overlook deep inside their networks

- Ashok Pandey

Cybersecurity used to be straightforward, at least in theory. Build strong defenses, keep threats out, and deal with whatever gets through. That approach is starting to break down. Today's attacks don't force their way in. They blend in, scale quietly, and often begin in places most teams don't actively watch.

Jay Shivaram, VP, Engineering, and Head of India Operations, Infoblox, points to a shift that's easy to miss but hard to ignore: the network itself, especially DNS (Domain Name System), is becoming the real battleground. Add AI into the mix, and both the speed and precision of attacks are rising fast.

This isn't just an evolution of threats. It's a deeper architectural problem.

AI is changing how attacks work

The next few years won't just bring more cyberattacks. They'll bring smarter, faster, and more targeted ones. Attackers are now using AI to automate reconnaissance, map targets, generate malicious domains, and craft campaigns tailored to specific enterprises. This isn't random anymore. It's deliberate and highly precise.

Millions of malicious domains are being created every year, many designed to bypass traditional detection systems that rely on known signatures. That creates a growing mismatch. Security systems are still largely reactive, while attacks are becoming automated and proactive. In many cases, detection happens only after something has already gone wrong.

The part everyone overlooks: DNS

Here's where things get uncomfortable. Most organizations still treat DNS as background infrastructure.

But everything depends on it. Every cloud workload, every payment transaction, and every digital service relies on DNS to function. It sits at the center of digital operations, yet it rarely gets the attention it deserves.