More than 80% of security professionals are worried about the prospect of criminals using artificial intelligence (AI) to attack their organisations.

This is one of the main findings of a survey by Neustar, a provider of real-time information services. The study has highlighted the increased year-on-year concern around security vulnerabilities, including significant fears around the impact of AI on company security defences.

According to the report, security professionals recognise the potential of AI in cybersecurity, with 87% of respondents agreeing that it will make a difference to their company’s defences.

Apprehension

However, the majority (82%) of security professionals are concerned about the possibility of attackers using AI against their company, with stolen data (50%) being of the highest concern, followed by the loss of customer trust (19%). Business performance and cost implications were also weighted equally (16%). As a result, nearly 60% of security leaders are apprehensive about adopting AI technology within their organisations.

​​The International Cyber Benchmarks Index is an initiative of the Neustar International Security Council (NISC), an group of select cybersecurity leaders across key industries that assesses the international cybersecurity landscape from the vantage point of security professionals across the EMEA and US regions. Other key findings from the most recent survey include:

DDoS leading the way: DDoS was most likely to be perceived as an increasing threat to organisations, followed by social engineering, email and generalised phishing.

Rising threats: 46% of enterprises have been on the receiving end of a DDoS attack in Q3, a higher proportion than in previous reporting periods.

IPv6 adoption: Just under half (48%) of organisations have already begun to adopt IPv6, and 16% have not started. Lack of IPv6 enterprise adoption and security considerations is presenting new opportunities for cyber criminals.

Threat from outside: Organisations have perceived the most likely increase in threats to be from criminals and unknown actors. These threats are also perceived to be increasing the most from the world at large and the least from within their own company.

Rodney Joffe, head of NISC and Neustar senior VP and Fellow, said: “Artificial intelligence has been a major topic of discussion in recent times – with good reason.

“There is immense opportunity available, but as we’ve seen today with this data, we’re at a crossroads. Organisations know the benefits, but they are also aware that today’s attackers have unique capabilities to cause destruction with that same technology. As a result, they’ve come to a point where they’re unsure if AI is a friend or foe.”

“What we do know is that IT leaders are confident in AI’s ability to make a significant difference in their defences,” said Rodney Joffe. “So what’s needed now is for security teams to prioritise education around AI, not only to ensure that the most efficient security strategies have been implemented, but to give organisations the opportunity to embrace – and not fear – this technology.”