FBI Sounds Alarm on AI-Driven Infrastructure Hacking 

March 6, 2024 – Published on PYMNTS

Hackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to conduct attacks against physical infrastructures, which could threaten vital services and commerce.

The FBI recently alerted Congress that hackers from China have penetrated deeply into the United States cyber infrastructure, aiming to inflict harm. Hackers supported by the Chinese government are focusing their attacks on critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities, electrical systems, and oil and natural gas pipelines. Experts say the Chinese operations are a sign of the growing use of AI for cyberattacks and could affect the functioning of businesses. 

Cybercrime rates are escalating, with experts warning that the expanding deployment of AI in cyberattacks poses a significant risk to business operations. This trend underscores the urgent need for companies to bolster their cybersecurity measures in response to these sophisticated threats.

Part of the problem is that cyber-physical systems are often aging. They typically use technology and protocols created in the 1970s and 1980s and were designed with something other than security in mind, neglecting typical security measures like encryption, integrity checks and authentication, Patrick Gillespie, practice lead, Operations Technology at GuidePoint Security, told PYMNTS in an interview.

“Retrofitting or redesigning these systems to include basic security controls presents significant challenges and can be costly,” he added. 

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