Cyberattacks are multiplying with AI and reaching new sectors such as education

BarcelonaEvery time a new technology emerges, a host of new threats also appear. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up many business opportunities, but, likewise, vulnerabilities in the security systems of companies and organizations have skyrocketed. This was detected by Sofistic in its annual report, which analyzed 1,500 cases and 100,000 alerts at its security operations center, from where it serves companies in Spain and Latin American countries such as Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

The technology company, part of the Cuatroochenta group, has seen a 34% increase in cases managed from its operations center during the past year. "Companies are increasingly aware and have more connected devices, which means more cyberattacks are being detected, in addition to the fact that criminal groups are also increasing their activity," argues Sofistic's CEO, Mar López, former head of the Spanish government's cybersecurity office.

Furthermore, cybercriminals are constantly adapting. Now that citizens are more alert to emails from phishingSofistic has seen a 21% reduction in users clicking and a 9% reduction in those providing credentials. However, once this hurdle is overcome, AI allows for generating calls by impersonating banks or energy companies.vishing), and it is here that he finds new, more unsuspecting victims to carry out his scams.

Critical Infrastructure

Critical infrastructure remains the focus of cybercriminals, especially given the recent geopolitical tensions. According to the report by the Castellón-based technology company, 41 percent of the cases studied involved attacks on sectors such as energy, transportation, and water supply. However, sectors that hadn't received much attention, such as education, are becoming increasingly vulnerable, particularly due to the vast amount of data they possess. "Security isn't part of their core structure," notes Juan Carlos García, Director of the Security Operations Center at Sofistic, who points out that "data is gold these days." Another area that needs to increase its vigilance is commerce, where investment in cybersecurity remains very low.