AI is significantly enhancing social engineering attacks, making them more targeted, convincing, and harder to detect. Traditional phishing attempts often had clear red flags like poor grammar or unfamiliar writing styles, but with generative AI, attackers can now create highly personalized, grammatically perfect messages that mimic an individual’s writing or speaking style. This evolution poses a new challenge for businesses, as AI can also generate deepfakes and conduct advanced reconnaissance to exploit personal and organizational vulnerabilities. To mitigate these risks, businesses must focus on training employees to recognize AI-driven social engineering attacks. This includes regular security awareness programs, phishing simulations, and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and verification before responding to unexpected messages or requests. Organizations should also update their policies to address AI risks, ensuring clear protocols for identifying and reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, implementing phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA), zero-trust security models, and AI-based threat detection can help block attacks before they cause harm. By combining employee awareness with robust technological defenses, businesses can better protect themselves from the growing threat of AI-enhanced social engineering attacks.

Soujerman, Stu. 2024. “The Growing Threat of AI in Social Engineering: How Business Can Mitigate Risks” Fast Company. Aug 4. READ: https://bit.ly/3XJTVdQ

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