AI Doesn’t Create New Cyber Risks from Threat Actors: It Scales the Old Ones
The headlines make it sound like artificial intelligence has unleashed a brand-new class of cyber threats. (NBC Anthropic) But the reality is more nuanced. AI isn’t introducing risks we’ve never seen before, it’s amplifying the speed, scale, and accessibility of threats that have existed for years.
Phishing, malware development, social engineering, credential stuffing, none of these attack types are new. What AI does is lower the barrier to entry. It makes advanced techniques easier for less-skilled actors to execute, shortens the time it takes to craft convincing attacks, and allows more people to operate at what used to be “expert level.” In other words, the capability was always there; now it’s just more widespread.
Let me add on caveat. Use of AI internally within organizations is changing the way we have to think about threats such with code development and hallucinations, third party risks, and customer facing models. In this post we are focusing on external threat actors attempting to gain access to organizations. How to Think About Risk in Generative AI: It’s Not As New As You Think — alaniz.io
Why This Matters
If the risks are not new, then neither is the solution. The fundamentals of cybersecurity, patching systems, enforcing strong identity controls, protecting data, and monitoring for anomalies remain just as critical today as they were before AI came into play. See recent post by Ross Haleliuk. Organizations that struggle with the basics will find themselves increasingly vulnerable, not because AI is rewriting the rules, but because attackers can now exploit weaknesses faster and more effectively.
Practicing for the Inevitable
No matter how strong your defenses, incidents are inevitable. Something will happen. The difference between organizations that bounce back and those that crumble is preparation. You don’t necessarily need a full-scale incident response team, but you do need a few things:
Foundational security program capabilities
A clear plan that defines roles and responsibilities.
Practiced procedures so chaos doesn’t take over in the moment.
Relationships with trusted partners who can help when the stakes are high.
AI Doesn’t Change the Playbook
The temptation in moments like this is to look for a “new” product promising an AI-specific shield. But the truth is simpler: if you’re managing the fundamentals and have a well-practiced response plan, you’re already ahead of most. AI makes attackers faster, not smarter. Solid defenses and rehearsed responses remain the best counter.
Where CipherNorth Comes In
At CipherNorth, we help organizations build resilience by focusing on what matters most: strong fundamentals, realistic tabletop exercises, and tailored incident response planning. You don’t need to overspend on “AI-proof” solutions that promise more than they deliver. You need a practical, tested approach that works when it counts.
AI has changed the tempo of cyber threats - but the path to resilience hasn’t changed. Let’s make sure you’re ready. Contact Us Today.