HOW DEFENDERS ARE LEVERAGING AI TO PREVENT THE NEXT ATTACK
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool for defending against sophisticated and ever evolving cyberattacks. It has had a profound effect on both the efficacy of ransomware and other attacks methods, and the ability to defend against these advanced campaigns. One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is in threat detection and analysis. AI-powered cybersecurity systems excel at identifying anomalies and detecting previously unseen attack patterns, thereby mitigating potential risks before they escalate.
For example, Check Point’s ThreatCloud AI powers all of our solutions using AI technologies with big data threat intelligence to prevent the most advanced attacks while reducing false positives. It aggregates and analyzes big data telemetry and millions of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) every day. Consider this scenario. A new malicious link is detected and blocked in a zero-day attack in the US. The threat data is immediately shared across all attack vectors with protections for this attack updated in real time. This same zero-day malicious link can then be blocked less than two seconds later in a similar attack in Australia –preventing the attack from causing disruption and damage.
POWERING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES WITH ZERO PHISHING IN CHECK POINT TITAN
Using legitimate brands in phishing attacks has proven to be extremely effective for attackers as it is highly convincing and often successfully tricks even the highest-level executives and security professionals.
In response to this, and to enhance online safety and security, Check Point has introduced an industry first, inline security technology called ‘Zero Phishing’ in its Titan release, T81.20, leveraging patented technology based on dedicated AI engines. The newly developed engine blocks links and websites associated with both local and global brands that have been impersonated and exploited as bait to deceive victims in phishing attacks, spanning multiple languages and countries.
The engine safeguarded more than 6,000 organizations across 140 countries in the first 30 days by effectively preventing potential attacks. This was achieved through the utilization of our advanced Quantum, Harmony, and CloudGuard products.
Check Point has also developed over sixty threat prevention engines that leverage its ThreatCloud AI threat intelligence for zero-day prevention. Our patented inline ‘Zero Phishing’ technology has prevented dozens of zero-day phishing campaigns. In fact, when tested, ‘Zero Phishing’ was able to detect x4 more zero-day phishing pages than traditional anti-phishing solutions, and 40% more detections compared to AI-based security vendors. The key advantage of the inline ‘Zero Phishing’ AI technology is that it doesn’t require any installation on an endpoint or mobile devices.
PRACTICAL ADVICE:
PREVENTING RANSOMWARE AND OTHER ATTACKS
Against a backdrop of advanced cybersecurity tools, organizations need to exercise good security hygiene across on-premise, cloud and hybrid networks all the way up to the board level. There are several actions that leaders can take to minimize exposure to and the potential impacts of an attack.
Here are a few simple tips to keep you safe:
The goal of ransomware is to force the victim to pay a ransom in order to regain access to their encrypted data. However, this is only effective if the target actually loses access to their data. A robust, secure data backup solution is an effective way to mitigate the impact of a ransomware attack.
Phishing emails are one of the most popular ways to spread ransom malware. By tricking a user into clicking on a link or opening a malicious attachment, cybercriminals gain access to the employee’s computer and begin the process of installing and executing the ransomware on it. Frequent cybersecurity awareness training is crucial to protecting the organization against ransomware, leveraging their own staff as the first line of defence in ensuring a protected environment. This training should instruct employees on the classic signs and language that are used in phishing emails.
Anti-ransomware solutions monitor programs running on a computer for suspicious behaviors commonly exhibited by ransomware, and if these behaviors are detected, the program can take action to stop encryption before further damage can be done.
Most ransomware attacks can be detected and resolved before it is too late. You need to have automated threat detection and prevention in place in your organization to maximize your chances of protection, including scanning and monitoring of emails, and scanning and monitoring file activity for suspicious files.
AI has become an indispensable ally in the fight against cyberthreats. By augmenting human expertise and strengthening defense measures, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions provide a robust shield against a vast array of attacks. As cybercriminals continually refine their tactics, the symbiotic relationship between AI and cybersecurity will undoubtedly be crucial in safeguarding our digital future.
AI has become an indispensable ally in the fight against cyberthreats. By augmenting human expertise and strengthening defense measures, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions provide a robust shield against a vast array of attacks. As cybercriminals continually refine their tactics, the symbiotic relationship between AI and cybersecurity will undoubtedly be crucial in safeguarding our digital future.