With more and more businesses leaning on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for new efficiencies and insights, there is a growing concern about security. According to the AI Threat Landscape Report 2024 by HiddenLayer, a staggering 77% of businesses reported AI breaches in the past year alone. These numbers justify the growing concern for the security of AI systems and raise the question: should we be more concerned about bot attacks than ever before?

The Growing Threat of AI Breaches

The HiddenLayer study paints a troubling picture. While 97% of IT leaders prioritize securing AI systems, and 94% have budgets for AI security in 2024, only 61% of IT leaders feel confident that their allocated budget will actually prevent hackers from compromising their AI systems. This disconnect between prioritization and perceived effectiveness of their AI security means that most leaders don’t have confidence in the security measures in place. 

Why Are AI Systems Vulnerable?

AI systems process and store vast amounts of data, making them a goldmine for cybercriminals. If hackers breach an AI system, they potentially gain access to information that spans the entire business, including customer or proprietary data, business intelligence, and much more. The sheer amount of data in AI systems makes them vulnerable to attackers.

More dangerous still is that a compromised AI model can be used to manipulate results, introduce bias, or as a tool for future attacks. 

Can Businesses Use AI to Defend Themselves?

Despite AI’s potential to enhance cybersecurity, few businesses are leveraging it for that purpose. A separate report, the Impact of Technology on the Workplace 2024, found that only 19% of businesses currently use AI for cybersecurity. While more businesses are using AI to streamline operations, they’re not recognizing its capabilities to help prevent cyber threats.

As bot attacks and cyber threats become more sophisticated, using AI to quickly detect anomalies, predict future threats, and respond to attacks faster would be extremely beneficial. But most businesses haven’t recognized this potential.

How to Protect AI Systems

There are steps businesses can take to protect their AI systems from breaches:

1. Build Strong Relationships Between AI and Security Teams
   Security and AI teams need to work closely to identify potential vulnerabilities and integrate protection measures from the start.
2. Regularly Scan and Audit AI Models
   Continuously monitoring AI models for anomalies or unusual activity is key to identifying and preventing breaches. 
3. Understand the Source of AI Models
   AI systems often incorporate third-party models or datasets. Knowing where these models originate and whether they have been vetted for security risks helps businesses stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities that could arise from using insecure or compromised models.

Why AI Breaches Are More Dangerous Than Traditional Attacks

A standard cybersecurity breach is always concerning, but an AI breach can be far more damaging. If an attacker gains control of an AI system, they can access an unprecedented amount of data. Worse, they could alter the AI’s behavior to disrupt operations or even manipulate business strategies.

The Future of AI Security

As AI continues to evolve, so too will the tactics of cybercriminals. Businesses need to stay ahead of these threats by implementing robust AI security measures. The HiddenLayer report underscores the importance of proactive security strategies, suggesting that businesses not only focus on securing AI systems but also anticipate how they might be exploited in the future.

In the coming years, we can expect to see more AI-powered security tools and greater integration of AI into overall cybersecurity strategies. But for now, businesses must take immediate steps to ensure that their AI systems are well-protected.