Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
AI Ascends, Healthcare Faces New Cyber Threats: A Glimpse into 2024
By Gabrielle Hempel, Customer Solutions Engineer at
LogRhythm
2023 was a year of significant change across the
cybersecurity landscape, with two key trends taking center stage: the use of
generative AI in cyberattacks and a surge in threat actors targeting critical
infrastructure.
The emergence of generative AI tools significantly
impacted both the offensive and defensive sides of cybersecurity -- hackers
shifted their tactics, techniques, and procedures to leverage AI tools and
generative AI chatbots, launching more sophisticated and widespread attacks. These
innovative tools and techniques empowered malicious actors to craft nuanced
phishing attempts, sophisticated deepfake content, and highly evasive malware,
posing formidable challenges for conventional security measures. Simultaneously,
cybersecurity frameworks underwent a significant evolution, integrating AI into
their protocols to confront and mitigate these rapidly evolving threats.
Advanced machine learning algorithms were employed to analyze massive datasets,
detect anomalies, and fortify defenses against the new attack vectors
engineered by AI-powered adversaries.
Ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure also
skyrocketed in the past year, specifically, in the healthcare sector, which became
a prime target. These attacks have evolved to include both the encryption of
files and the exfiltration of data. Notorious groups like LockBit, CL0P, Black
Cat, and Black Basta remained relentlessly active, targeting sensitive
infrastructure and disrupting operational systems.
Some of the most notable attacks this year include:
These are just a few examples of the increasing frequency
and sophistication of ransomware attacks aggressively targeting healthcare
organizations. In January of 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services
issued a threat brief warning the healthcare
sector of Royal and BlackCat ransomware. This reaffirms the need for healthcare
organizations to be vigilant in their efforts to protect themselves as
ransomware tactics evolve.
Based on the trends we saw in 2023, here's what to expect
in 2024:
Healthcare will be at the frontline of AI-powered attacks
The healthcare industry will be most susceptible to
AI-powered attacks in 2024. As AI becomes more integral in diagnostics, patient
data management, and medical tools, there will be a notable rise in targeted
breaches, jeopardizing the confidentiality and reliability of vital health
information. The vulnerability of interconnected systems will compel a critical
reevaluation of cybersecurity measures, marking a pivotal moment in fortifying
defenses against AI-powered attacks in healthcare.
"Defense in
depth" approach will take the spotlight as organizations prepare against
diverse cyber threats
In 2024, the cybersecurity landscape will firmly embrace
the reality that no single tool can comprehensively cover all threats.
Emphasizing a 'defense in depth' strategy will take center stage, advocating
for a multi-layered approach to fortify systems against diverse and evolving
cyber threats. Organizations will increasingly invest in a combination of
technologies, protocols, and human expertise to create resilient defenses
across multiple fronts.
While looking ahead to the cyber threat landscape in 2024
may seem daunting, organizations have access to security measures to mitigate
and respond to potential attacks. The proliferation of hacking resources,
particularly those powered by AI, requires a proactive approach to
cybersecurity. By creating a resilient response strategy that addresses threats
in real-time, organizations can ensure mitigation is top of mind. Leveraging
Security Information and Event Management solutions with comprehensive endpoint
detection will allow organizations to build a strong defense with increased
visibility.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabrielle Hempel is a Customer Solutions Engineer at LogRhythm,
distinguished by a diverse expertise that encompasses Cloud Engineering, Vulnerability
Management, and Network Detection and Response (NDR). Having earned an MS in
Cybersecurity and Global Affairs from NYU, Gabrielle presented an impactful
Masters Thesis on Critical Infrastructure Security, accomplished in close
collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security.
In 2022, she was named
an ‘Emerging Leader' by the National Security Innovation Network, and she has
keynoted multiple conferences and taken the stage at esteemed events such as
BlackHat and DefCon. This thought leadership is further reflected in her extensive
publication history, with articles gracing both peer-reviewed journals and
assorted media outlets.
Her active involvement
is evident in roles like the NOC at global BlackHat conferences and as a
Briefings Review Board member for Black Hat MEA. A commitment to community
service shines through her volunteering with the Marine Corp Cyber Auxiliary
and fostering collaborations with a myriad of law enforcement and professional
organizations, aiming to advance the cybersecurity landscape.