Cisco Talos Blog: Year in Review: AI based threats

Apr 29, 2025

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Source URL: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/year-in-review-ai-based-threats/
Source: Cisco Talos Blog
Title: Year in Review: AI based threats

Feedly Summary: 2024 wasn’t the year that AI rewrote the cybercrime playbook — but it did turbocharge some of the old tricks. Read this summary of AI-based threats, from Talos’ 2024 Year in Review.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses the evolving impact of AI on cybercrime, specifically how generative AI has enhanced traditional cyber threats such as social engineering and phishing techniques. It emphasizes the ongoing threat landscape as cybercriminals leverage new technologies, forecasting greater challenges in 2025 with potential advancements in AI-driven attack strategies.

Detailed Description: The provided text acknowledges that while 2024 did not bring a complete overhaul to the cybercrime scene due to AI, it significantly amplified existing tactics and strategies used by cybercriminals. Key highlights include:

– **Generative AI Utilization**: Cybercriminals employed generative AI to refine their approaches to social engineering and phishing attacks.
– **Automation of Reconnaissance**: Tasks such as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering were automated, making it easier for attackers to gather information about targets.
– **Forecast for 2025**: The text suggests that as AI technology advances, particularly in the realms of agentic AI and automated vulnerability hunts, defenders will face mounting challenges, indicating a potential escalation in threat sophistication.
– **Cisco Talos Insights**: Cisco Talos’ annual report, in collaboration with Robust Intelligence, aims to provide a deeper understanding of the state of AI in cybersecurity and potential implications for security professionals.

This analysis is crucial for security and compliance professionals as it outlines the necessity of adapting existing defenses against increasingly savvy cybercriminal tactics augmented by AI technologies. The insights provided can help organizations preemptively strategize their security posture in anticipation of emerging threats driven by generative AI capabilities.

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