October 10, 2023 at 10:06AM
Many cybercriminals still rely on non-sophisticated attacks because they are effective. These include phishing attacks and credential harvesting, often obtained through social engineering. Automation and AI are increasingly being used by bad actors to conduct attacks more efficiently. To defend against these attacks, organizations need to bolster human defenses through cybersecurity awareness training that covers the latest threats and best practices. Employees should create unique usernames and passwords, be cautious of phishing attempts, use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi, and avoid sharing sensitive information. Training in the basics can help overcome automated and AI-assisted attacks.
The meeting notes highlight several key takeaways:
1. Non-sophisticated attacks still work: Despite discussions on new technologies and advanced attacks, cybercriminals continue to carry out scams and fraud that prey on human behavior. Basic phishing attacks and credential harvesting are still successful methods.
2. Valid credentials are the root of successful intrusions: The compromise of valid account credentials, combined with spear-phishing attacks, accounted for nearly 90% of infiltrations last year. Valid accounts were responsible for 54% of all attacks studied in the annual risk and vulnerability assessment.
3. Social engineering remains a successful tactic: Threat actors often obtain credentials through social engineering, relying on human error. This tactic is difficult to fix with technology, making it an ongoing challenge.
4. Automation assists bad actors: Bad actors are increasingly utilizing automation to execute attacks more quickly and easily. Examples include automated recruitment campaigns for money mules and credential stuffing for account takeover.
5. AI is weaponized by cybercriminals: AI is being used by bad actors to bypass network activity detection, mimic human behavior with deepfakes, and generate malicious code more rapidly.
To defend against these pedestrian attacks, organizations should focus on bolstering human defenses through cyber awareness and hygiene training. This should include regular training intervals to educate employees on the latest threats, tactics, and best practices. Employees should be taught to create unique usernames and passwords for each app, recognize phishing attempts, use VPNs when connecting to public Wi-Fi, and avoid sharing sensitive information.
Overall, while advanced cyber techniques are discussed, it is crucial to address and train employees in basic cybersecurity measures to counter the ongoing threat of non-sophisticated attacks.
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