Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping organizations improve efficiency, automate tasks and enhance customer experiences. At the same time, bad actors are using AI to make cyberattacks more convincing and more difficult to detect.
Whether you work for a business, government agency, municipality, school district, nonprofit or other organization, understanding these risks can help strengthen security.
AI Is Making Cyberattacks More Sophisticated
Many cyberattacks rely on deception. Criminals use emails, text messages, phone calls and websites to convince people to take actions that place information or systems at risk.
AI can help attackers create messages that appear professional, personalized and highly credible. As a result, employees may encounter phishing attempts that are harder to recognize than those from the past.
Organizations should encourage employees to verify unusual requests rather than relying solely on appearance or tone.
Be Alert for Impersonation Attempts
Attackers may attempt to impersonate:
- Executives
- Employees
- Vendors
- Contractors
- Government officials
- Trusted business partners
These requests may involve financial transactions, payment changes, sensitive information or account access.
Establishing verification procedures can help reduce the risk of fraud.
Build a Culture of Security Awareness
Employees remain one of the most important lines of defense against cyber threats.
Organizations should encourage personnel to:
- Verify unexpected requests
- Report suspicious activity
- Question unusual instructions
- Participate in ongoing cybersecurity awareness efforts
Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up can help identify
potential threats before they become serious incidents.
Strengthen Account Security
Strong security fundamentals remain effective against many AI-enabled threats.
Organizations should consider:
- Multifactor authentication
- Strong password practices
- Timely software updates
- Limited access based on job responsibilities
- Regular reviews of user access
These protections help reduce opportunities for cybercriminals to gain access to systems and information.
Use AI Responsibly
Many organizations are exploring AI to improve productivity and service delivery. Before implementing AI tools, organizations should understand their privacy, security and governance requirements.
Employees should understand:
- What information can be shared with AI tools
- Which data must remain protected
- Applicable policies and procedures
- Security expectations for approved AI solutions
Balancing innovation with responsible use helps organizations realize AI's benefits while managing risk.
Preparing for the Future
AI capabilities continue to advance rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges for organizations across every industry. Cybercriminals are already using AI to improve scams, automate attacks and make malicious activity more difficult to detect.
As these technologies continue to evolve, organizations should focus on building strong cybersecurity foundations, promoting security awareness and developing processes that can adapt to emerging threats. Organizations that prepare today will be better equipped to manage tomorrow's risks.
Prepare Before an Incident Occurs
Every organization should have a plan for responding to cybersecurity incidents.
Planning ahead can help answer important questions:
- Who should be contacted?
- How should incidents be reported?
- Which systems are most critical?
- How will stakeholders be informed?
Preparation can help reduce disruption and improve recovery efforts.
What to Remember
AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, but effective security still depends on awareness, verification and preparation.
Organizations that promote strong security practices and responsible AI use will be better positioned to defend against evolving cyber threats.