According to a survey conducted by NCA and CybSafe, there is increasing concern about cybercrime enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) and a carefree attitude towards AI cybersecurity at work.
A recent poll found that 65% of respondents expressed concern about AI-related crimes, indicating that the rise of generative AI (GenAI) in cybersecurity is accompanied with a growing sense of discomfort. One of the primary conclusions of the US-based National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) and CybSafe’s “Oh Behave! The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviours Report 2024” is this concern.
The analysis, which is based on a survey of 7,012 people in seven countries, highlights the stark disparity between awareness and readiness when it comes to combating cyberthreats facilitated by artificial intelligence.
The paper finds that different generations are afraid about cyberattacks driven by AI differently. The group most concerned about AI-related cyber dangers is the Silent Generation (those born between 1928 and 1945), with 73% expressing worry and Baby Boomers (at 70%) following closely behind. Sixty-one percent of Generation X say they are anxious, which is a little less than most. Although they were nonetheless worried, younger generations seemed less anxious.
The poll reveals a concerning deficiency in cybersecurity risk awareness about artificial intelligence, despite this growing worry. The study found that 55% of users of AI tools said they had never received official training on the privacy and security issues posed by this technology. This is made worse by the fact that 56% of participants claimed to use no AI tools at all, indicating a substantial overall knowledge gap.
“The growing concern about AI-related cybercrime reflects a heightened awareness of the digital threats we face,” said National Cybersecurity Alliance executive director Lisa Plaggemier. “However, with over half of participants (56%) not even using AI tools and most (55%) of those using AI not being trained on the risks, it’s evident that more education and resources are needed.”
Staff playing fast and loose with AI in the workplace
38% of AI users acknowledged disclosing private work-related data to AI tools without their employer’s knowledge, which is another alarming fact. Millennials (43%) and Gen Z (46%) in particular are more prone than older generations to participate in this risky conduct.
“While AI presents unique and urgent challenges, the core risks remain the same,” said CybSafe CEO and founder Oz Alashe. “Many employees understand what’s required to safeguard their workplace against cyber threats, but the key to strengthening organizational resilience lies in transforming that knowledge into regular, safe behaviour.”
According to the survey, generative AI tools have become increasingly popular. ChatGPT, for example, was the most used generative AI tool among users, with 65% of AI tool users interacting with it. Despite its widespread use, GenAI poses additional security dangers, including the generation of deepfakes and phishing attempts, which make it more difficult for people to recognize bogus information.
The survey also shows that 77% of participants think that IT corporations should be in charge of regulating and supervising the application of generative AI, underscoring the need for closer monitoring of these quickly developing technologies.
Beyond worries about AI, the research emphasizes a general rise in cybercrime instances. 3,346 cybercrime events were reported in 2024, which is 1,299 more cases than in the year prior. Phishing scams continue to be the most prevalent, making up 44% of all occurrences. Furthermore, 35% of poll participants said they have been the victims of cybercrime, an 8% rise from 2023.
These difficulties are being made worse by the increasing sophistication of AI-powered attacks, such as deepfake technologies and phishing schemes created by AI. The study also revealed that victims reported 91% of phishing occurrences, indicating both a rise in knowledge and a continuous threat.
Even though people are more aware of the risks associated with cyberspace, many still find it difficult to follow safe practices. Just 65% of participants, for instance, regularly create unique passwords, and 46% said they have never used a password manager. Moreover, only 66% of participants frequently utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA), despite the fact that 81% of participants are aware of it.
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