When AI Accelerates Cyberattacks

Companies should take these measures now for greater digital resilience

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), cybercrime is also reaching a new dimension. What used to require considerable technical effort and human resources can now be automated, scaled and optimized with the help of intelligent algorithms. Attacks are becoming more personalized, more dynamic and much harder to detect. Companies are therefore facing a new quality of digital threat that is increasingly pushing traditional security mechanisms to their limits.

This calls for a holistic approach to security that combines prevention, continuous monitoring, clear organizational processes and the strategic use of modern technologies. RIEDEL Networks, provider of customized IT security and network services, shows how AI increases cyber risk and which six key measures companies should take now to strengthen their digital resilience in the long term:

1. Strengthen security architecture holistically

A powerful, multi-layered IT security architecture is the foundation of any effective cyber defense, especially in the face of AI-based attacks. Companies should deploy robust endpoint security solutions to protect servers, laptops and mobile devices from malware, ransomware and unauthorized access. A well thought-out backup concept with local and cloud-based storage locations, the recoverability of which is tested regularly, is just as important. Structured business continuity management safeguards business-critical processes in the event of a crisis, while automated threat prevention solutions such as SOAR help to efficiently prioritize and process security incidents. Firewalls, integrated email filters, consistent patch management and the use of two-factor authentication further reduce attack surfaces and significantly increase access security.

2. Expand monitoring into a strategic early warning system

In the face of increasingly dynamic threats, transparency about your own IT infrastructure is crucial. Companies should continuously monitor networks and systems and systematically analyze security-relevant data in order to detect anomalies at an early stage. SIEM systems bundle log data from different sources and enable real-time evaluation of potential threats. DDoS protection solutions protect critical systems from overload attacks, while threat intelligence provides up-to-date information on attack methods and actors. Regular vulnerability analyses help to identify and close potential gateways at an early stage. This transforms IT security from reactive crisis management to a proactive early warning system.

3. Use external expertise strategically

Medium-sized companies in particular often do not have their own security operations center. Cooperation with specialized partners such as RIEDEL Networks can therefore be a decisive security factor. Managed security services enable professional 24/7 monitoring, clearly defined incident response processes and access to highly specialized know-how. External expertise increases the speed of response in an emergency and effectively supplements internal resources.

4. Anchoring a security culture in the company

Despite modern technologies, people remain one of the most common gateways for cyber attacks. It is therefore important to continuously raise awareness of current threat scenarios. Training courses on detecting phishing and social engineering - provided by specialist providers such as SoSafe - raise risk awareness in everyday working life. Realistic attack simulations also help to test response procedures and check compliance with IT guidelines under realistic conditions. In addition, companies should provide information about the risks of AI-supported attacks and activities on the darknet in order to promote a comprehensive understanding of the changing threat situation. An active security culture turns employees into an active line of defense.

5 Use standards as a strategic guard rail

International standards such as ISO 27001 provide a proven framework for systematically establishing and continuously developing information security. Even without formal certification, the standard can serve as a practical guide to clearly structure and sustainably anchor processes, responsibilities and control mechanisms. Alignment with recognized standards creates transparency, strengthens the trust of customers and partners and forms the basis for a long-term resilient security strategy.

6. Use AI proactively for defense

Artificial intelligence is not only a driver of new threats, but also a central component of modern cyber defense. AI-supported security solutions collect and analyze data from end devices, cloud workloads, networks and email systems automatically and in real time. Automation and intelligent data enrichment free up security teams to focus on assessing and containing critical incidents. AI detects attack patterns and anomalies faster than traditional methods and prioritizes risks based on risk. The strategic use of intelligent technologies thus gives companies a decisive advantage in an increasingly automated threat landscape.

Outlook for the future: AI as a risk and strategic tool

"Artificial intelligence significantly lowers the barriers to entry for cybercrime. The number of AI-supported attacks will continue to rise - from deepfakes to automated voice phishing, some of which take place without human intervention," explains Michael Martens, CEO at RIEDEL Networks. "At the same time, security providers are also investing heavily in AI-based defense mechanisms. We are experiencing a technological arms race between attackers and defenders. Companies therefore need to see AI not just as a risk, but as a strategic defense tool and actively integrate it into their security architecture."

The increasing availability of powerful AI tools makes cyberattacks easier, faster and more scalable than ever before - not only for organized criminal groups, but increasingly also for less tech-savvy actors. At the same time, however, the defense side is also developing rapidly: AI-supported detection systems, automated analyses and intelligent defense mechanisms are becoming the new standard.

As AI is also becoming increasingly integrated into end devices and applications will also run locally and independently of the cloud in future, the threat situation is changing fundamentally. Companies that strategically integrate AI into their security architecture can actively counter the technological arms race and strengthen their digital resilience in the long term.

About RIEDEL Networks

RIEDEL Networks is a privately held, global network provider focused on customized networks. We are listed in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global WAN Services as a niche provider specializing in mid-market international enterprises and the media and events sector. With our own global backbone, we help companies to be connected worldwide. Our services include internet connectivity, MPLS, SD-WAN, SASE, Cloud Connect, security and much more. Our customers come from various industries and value quality, security and reliability. RIEDEL Networks is a 100% company of the RIEDEL Communications Group in Wuppertal, Germany, and is fully privately owned by Thomas Riedel.