Generative AI and Cybersecurity: A Balancing Act
The Importance of Cybersecurity Hygiene Practices
Naturally, generative AI threats exist, but the focus on new technologies risks overshadowing the importance of cybersecurity hygiene practices, especially in resource-constrained sectors like public healthcare, says Aaron Bugal, Sophos field CTO, APJ. “It can come at the expense of addressing more fundamental cybersecurity basics, which contribute to ransomware vulnerabilities.”
The Rise of Ransomware
Ransomware attack data in the Sophos State of Ransomware 2024 report shows that vulnerability management, compromised credentials, malicious email, and phishing are the most common starting points. It’s these risk factors that need to be managed through routine processes.
The Role of Vulnerability Management
“A lot of the attacks we’re seeing today, attackers are getting in using deficiencies in what constitutes a poorly managed or mismanaged environment and it’s just giving them the green light,” Bugal tells CSO.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Hygiene
Not protecting credentials, lack of multi-factor authentication, not patching well-known vulnerabilities, not keeping up with aging devices and user accounts, and overlooked configurations can get put off or forgotten about if too much focus is turned to generative AI.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
“Some things can be trivial to discover and mitigate, but if they’re overlooked by organizations, it leaves them vulnerable to attacks,” he says.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while generative AI presents a significant threat, it’s essential to remember the importance of cybersecurity hygiene practices. Failing to address fundamental cybersecurity basics can leave organizations vulnerable to attacks. It’s crucial to strike a balance between embracing new technologies and maintaining strong cybersecurity hygiene practices to protect against ransomware and other threats.
FAQs
Q: What are the most common starting points for ransomware attacks?
A: According to the Sophos State of Ransomware 2024 report, vulnerability management, compromised credentials, malicious email, and phishing are the most common starting points.
Q: What are some common cybersecurity hygiene practices that are often overlooked?
A: Not protecting credentials, lack of multi-factor authentication, not patching well-known vulnerabilities, not keeping up with aging devices and user accounts, and overlooked configurations are some common cybersecurity hygiene practices that are often overlooked.
Q: How can organizations avoid common pitfalls in cybersecurity?
A: By prioritizing strong cybersecurity hygiene practices, such as regular patching, implementing multi-factor authentication, and keeping up with device and user account maintenance, organizations can avoid common pitfalls and reduce the risk of attacks.
