We are in the midst of a massive shift in cybersecurity. Artificial intelligence is not only equipping defenders with powerful tools—it is also arming attackers with terrifyingly effective new capabilities. But here’s the twist: our strongest defense may not be a smarter algorithm, but a better-prepared person.
In 2019, criminals used AI to perfectly clone the voice of a company’s CEO. They placed a call to a senior employee, who was convinced the request was genuine, and transferred $243,000 directly into the criminals’ account.
This single AI-generated phone call revealed just how devastating deepfakes and AI-driven attacks can be. It was a wake-up call to the business world: AI is a double-edged sword. In the right hands, it strengthens defense. In the wrong hands, it becomes a weapon.
The real threat is not just one new type of attack—it’s how AI supercharges every known form of cybercrime.
Take phishing emails, for example. Once filled with awkward grammar and generic greetings, they can now be written with flawless grammar, personalized with social media details, and even mimic the writing style of a boss or colleague. Since generative AI tools became widely available, phishing attacks have surged by 4,000%.
And deepfakes—hyperrealistic fake audio, video, or images—are accelerating just as quickly. Scams using deepfakes are growing by 50–60% every year, with many impersonating top executives. According to the FBI, these scams contributed to over $12.5 billion in losses last year alone.
Even more concerning, AI has lowered the barrier to entry for cybercrime. Attackers no longer need to be experts. With minimal technical skill, they can now use AI to generate polymorphic malware—viruses that constantly change to evade detection.
Despite the sophistication of these tools, almost all attacks have one thing in common: they target people.
According to Verizon’s research, 74% of all data breaches involve a human element—whether that’s a mistake, misplaced trust, or falling victim to a scam. In other words, three out of four breaches begin with people, not technology.
This raises a critical question for every organization:
In the age of AI-powered threats, are your employees your greatest liability—or your strongest defense?
The solution lies in empowering employees to become defenders themselves—a concept known as building a human firewall.
This involves:
A simple text or phone call to a verified number can stop a multi-million-dollar scam in its tracks.
Fortunately, defenders are not limited to human vigilance. We can—and must—fight AI with AI.
Cybersecurity teams are already using AI for:
The AI arms race is here. Attackers are evolving daily, becoming smarter, faster, and more effective. For organizations, preparation is no longer optional—it is the price of survival.
The final question is one every leader must ask:
Your attackers are already using AI. Are you?