AI Jeopardizes Corporate Data Integrity

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, a new threat has emerged: AI models are now being used to perform sophisticated cyberattacks. According to a recent report, these attacks accounted for 20% of breaches.

This alarming trend is partly due to the existence of "shadow AI," unauthorized tools used by workers that aren't sanctioned by the company. These hidden security risks are often overlooked, leading to a significant increase in the cost of a data breach.

Many firms lack adequate policies to stop the practice of using unauthorized AI tools, a situation that significantly raises the cost of a data breach. Shoddy AI company policies, such as ignoring unsanctioned AI tools being used on company networks, can have severe consequences.

Preventing phishing attacks should be a big focus, as they are one of the top causes of data breaches. Encrypting data and using advanced threat monitoring tools can also help protect against data breaches.

However, the AI used by cybercriminals can adapt to defensive measures like malware detection systems in real time. To counter this, businesses should regularly take an inventory of all the software in use and ditch underused tools, which are susceptible to attacks.

Investing in AI for security can help organizations detect breaches much faster and save money. AI security tools can help bolster defenses against phishing, deepfakes, and other cyberattacks.

A recent threat report by Anthropic states that AI chatbots can help cybercriminals profile victims, analyze stolen data, steal credit card information, and more. Anthropic took immediate action when they discovered such accounts and are now trying to preemptively detect such criminal activity.

The rapid adoption of AI by businesses raises issues, since AI tools are often put in place with weak security settings, leaving the systems vulnerable to a breach. New policies such as oversight of shadow AI, having a solid data breach response plan, and regular security training for workers can help mitigate the risk of data breaches.

Regulatory fines for data breaches in the U.S. are higher than in other countries, driving up the cost. The cost of a data breach in the U.S. has surged to more than $10 million on average, according to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025.

HiddenLayer, a tech publication, reported a case study showing an attacker targeting at least 17 organizations in health care, emergency services, government, and religious institutions for ransomware attacks. The AI tool used in this case helped automate attacks, from reconnaissance to extortion demands.

It's clear that the number of AI-driven attacks is rapidly increasing. Businesses must take proactive steps to protect their data and systems from these threats. By implementing robust security measures and staying vigilant, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and keep their data secure.