As we enter 2024, Skybox Security experts predict a landscape defined by AI-generated tailored malware, automated vendor assessments, deepfake threats, and heightened geopolitical AI investments. Learn more about how these trends can reshape how organizations defend against cyberattacks and navigate global security challenges.
Adi Dubin, Vice President of Product Management, Skybox Security
In 2024, there will be a transition to AI-generated tailored malware and full-scale automation of cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity teams face a significant threat from the rapid automation of malware creation and execution using generative AI and other advanced tools. In 2023, AI systems capable of generating highly customized malware emerged, giving threat actors a new and powerful weapon. In the coming year, the focus will shift from merely generating tailored malware to automating the entire attack process. This will make it much easier for even unskilled threat actors to launch successful attacks.
Automated vendor assessments and enhanced security measures will become the norm, redefining how companies interact with third-party vendors.
In 2024, we can expect a significant shift in how companies interact with third-party vendors and assess their security measures. The traditional checklist approach to mitigating third-party breach threats will evolve as businesses increasingly transition from manual assessments to automated procedures.
Similar to the adoption of external attack surface solutions, many companies will adopt automated vendor assessments for a more comprehensive approach. This approach is expected to become the norm, especially in industries like insurance. Additionally, customers will take a more active role in assessing their vendors, conducting extensive evaluations, and implementing a wide range of automation-driven solutions to enhance code controls and security measures. This will ultimately strengthen the vendor-customer relationship.
Howard Goodman, Technical Director, Skybox Security
In 2024, threat actors will weaponize generative AI to craft malware that evades detection and fabricate highly convincing deepfakes.
In 2024, threat actors are poised to unleash a new breed of malware, empowered by generative AI to bypass conventional detection methods and adapt to evade security measures. This evolution will usher in an era of intelligent malware capable of mimicking human interactions with unprecedented sophistication.
Generative AI is also set to exacerbate the deepfake phenomenon, potentially wreaking havoc on social media and introducing the chilling prospect of "brain hacking." This sinister form of manipulation could exploit digital content to influence individuals' thoughts and perceptions, posing a serious threat to societal stability and individual autonomy.
Nations are set to intensify their AI investments to further their geopolitical goals, necessitating increased control over intellectual property and supply chain security through real-time monitoring.
As nations like China, Russia, and North Korea ramp up their investments in artificial intelligence, the potential for AI-powered threats to geopolitical stability looms large. This surge in AI development could lead to direct attacks on adversaries or indirect support for criminal syndicates utilizing AI-powered services. To mitigate these risks, it is imperative to strengthen intellectual property protections and bolster cybersecurity measures. Additionally, establishing real-time monitoring of supply chain processes, replacing periodic assessments, is crucial to gain full visibility and control over these critical channels.