ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2025 – A recent study conducted by a global cybersecurity firm has raised alarms about the growing vulnerability of businesses to AI-driven cyber threats. The research, which was published on Thursday, emphasizes the urgent need for businesses to bolster their defenses against the evolving landscape of cyber risks, highlighting significant gaps in cyber protection across industries.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the cybersecurity domain, companies are finding themselves increasingly at risk from sophisticated AI-powered attacks. The study, titled “Cyber Defense & AI: Are You Ready to Protect Your Organization?” by Kaspersky, analyzed insights from IT and Information Security professionals working in both small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations. The findings underscore a critical sense of urgency among businesses to adapt their security strategies and technology in order to keep pace with AI-driven threats.
According to the report, 19% of global respondents indicated that their organizations have substantial gaps in cyber protection, a worrying statistic given the ever-expanding capabilities of cybercriminals leveraging AI. These gaps leave companies open to a range of increasingly complex and targeted attacks. The research also explored the key barriers preventing organizations from achieving effective cybersecurity and the serious consequences businesses could face if they fail to adapt to the evolving threat landscape.
One of the most pressing challenges identified by the study is the shortage of skilled professionals capable of understanding and combating AI-based cyber threats. A staggering 44% of organizations reported a lack of AI-related cybersecurity training for their employees. This gap in knowledge makes it difficult for businesses to effectively utilize AI-powered cybersecurity solutions or to respond swiftly to new AI-driven threats.
Moreover, 44% of companies pointed to the complexity of managing their cybersecurity infrastructure as another major hurdle. The sheer scale and sophistication of modern cybersecurity tools and systems make it increasingly difficult to stay ahead of attackers, especially when organizations lack the resources to manage these advanced infrastructures effectively.
The shortage of advanced AI-powered cybersecurity tools also emerged as a critical challenge. Nearly 43% of businesses admitted that they lack access to modern cybersecurity solutions powered by AI, leaving them vulnerable to attacks that are becoming more agile, dynamic, and adaptive. With the threat landscape evolving rapidly, companies are often ill-equipped to respond to the complex strategies employed by cybercriminals.
Furthermore, 41% of respondents expressed concerns about the lack of information from external experts regarding the AI-related threat landscape. This lack of timely and accurate information makes it harder for organizations to stay informed and prepare for emerging risks. Additionally, 39% of businesses reported difficulty in finding qualified information security professionals to fill critical roles in their cybersecurity teams.
The report warns that without addressing these barriers, businesses will continue to be exposed to increasingly sophisticated AI-driven cyber attacks. The failure to adopt AI-powered cybersecurity tools, train employees, and build a robust cybersecurity infrastructure could lead to severe financial and reputational damage, not to mention legal and compliance consequences.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way cyber threats are executed, the need for businesses to evolve their cybersecurity practices has never been greater. The study urges companies to act swiftly to implement advanced tools, invest in employee training, and streamline their cybersecurity management to stay one step ahead of potential threats.
In light of the findings, cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of proactive measures, recommending businesses to focus on bridging the AI knowledge gap and fostering collaboration with external cybersecurity experts. Only through such efforts will companies be able to effectively safeguard their operations against the growing wave of AI-driven cyber threats.