Cybersecurity gaps leave businesses vulnerable to AI-powered threats

AI is reshaping the threat and cybersecurity landscape. As technology enables the development of increasingly sophisticated attacks, businesses must redouble their efforts to anticipate, identify and remediate threats. Barriers such as skills shortages, lack of AI-based tools, and the complexity of managing advanced cybersecurity infrastructures reinforce the vulnerabilities of many companies.

In its latest study entitled “Cyberdefense & AI: are you ready to protect your organization?” “, Kaspersky collected opinions from information security professionals within SMEs and large enterprises. The study highlights a growing sense of urgency around technical preparedness in the face of AI-generated cyberthreats. Thus, 17% of French respondents declare that they have considerable gaps in their cybersecurity system. The study also examines the barriers to effective cybersecurity and the far-reaching consequences that arise from a failure to adapt.

While businesses understand the risks, they face significant obstacles when it comes to implementing strong cybersecurity. According to the study, in France, 41% of companies believe that the lack of training of employees in AI applied to cybersecurity constitutes a critical problem. On the other hand, 34% highlight the complexity of managing cybersecurity infrastructure, which can prevent IT teams from staying one step ahead of attackers. The shortage of advanced tools is another major challenge, Nearly 33% of respondents admit that their company does not have modern AI-based cybersecurity solutions, while 40% of them face the lack of information from external experts on the evolution of AI-related threats. Additionally, 36% of respondents say they face a shortage of qualified IT security professionals, leaving businesses vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated threats.

Lack of adaptation and resilience are also at the heart of the concerns of the professionals surveyed: more than half of them (48%) fear that a lack of preparation will lead to confidential data leaks, while 50% fear that their customers will no longer trust them, and 39% of suffering significant financial losses, resulting for example in a depreciation of the value of their company’s shares. The risks of reputational damage and their long-term consequences worry 48% of respondents. Other consequences that businesses should anticipate include financial sanctions (30%), investor withdrawal (24%), legal action (28%), and partial closure of the business (14%).

“The rise of AI-driven cyberattacks marks a turning point in the cybersecurity landscape. Businesses must act now to strengthen their defenses, from investing in AI-powered tools to training employees to recognize AI-related threats to developing and implementing cybersecurity controls to AI-enabled products and services. Failure to adapt could result in significant financial, operational and reputational damage. In this new era of cybersecurity, preparation is a necessity today,” said Alexey Vovk, Director of Information Security at Kaspersky.