Al's silent cyber attack

Take a sneak peek into the escalating threat of AI-driven cyber-attacks, along with the intricate challenges and imperative strategies in safeguarding against digital invasions.

- Shriyal Sethumadhavan

In recent years, manufacturing has advanced through digital transformation, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT, cloud computing, AI, and CPS, presenting new challenges in merging operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT).

"Connecting internal systems with external assets has changed OT security, leaving IT teams scrambling to protect both infrastructure and production," says Vivek Srivastava, Country Manager, India & SAARC, Fortinet.

"Integrating IoT, smart manufacturing, and data analytics has greatly expanded the attack surface and increased risks to infrastructure and client data," says Karan Patel, CEO and Technical Director, Redfox Securities.

Kartik Shahani, Country Manager, Tenable India, notes that the increased connectivity and interdependence of systems enhances operational efficiency but introduces new vulnerabilities." As OT systems, which were traditionally isolated, become connected to the internet, they become more susceptible to cyber-attacks.

Al-based cyber-attacks

AI tools are used to craft emails for phishing campaigns and write malicious code.

"Tools like WormGPT and FraudGPT are being utilised by attackers to craft convincing phishing attempts, leveraging AI to mimic communication styles and content," says Praveen Kulkarni, Director-Security, Risk & Governance, OpenText India. "Additionally, AI is now employed to develop customised malware, escalating the effectiveness and pace of cyber threats."

"In fact, 73 per cent of IT and security leaders in India fear generative AI could cause catastrophic attacks within 12 months, says Shahani. AI also automates attacks and manages botnets."