I will participate at the event for cybersecurity titled “Strategy Day Cybersecurity” in Zurich, 28 September 2023 | Zurich, Switzerland.
Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI: Navigating the Threats and Safeguards
I’m excited to announce my upcoming speech on a topic that is both fascinating and critical: cybersecurity in the context of generative AI and tools like ChatGPT. With the rapid adoption of generative AI technologies, we are at the forefront of innovation—but also facing unprecedented challenges that require vigilance and proactive solutions.
Key Points I’ll Address:
1. How ChatGPT and Generative AI Can Create New Threats
Generative AI models are capable of generating realistic text, which opens up a new frontier for cybersecurity threats. For example, ChatGPT can be used to generate convincing phishing emails, simulate human-like responses in social engineering attacks, or even spread malicious code snippets. These potential misuses raise questions about how we monitor and restrict AI applications to prevent harm.
2. Protective Measures for IT Professionals
As cybersecurity professionals, it’s essential to stay ahead of these threats. I’ll discuss actionable steps for IT teams, such as implementing AI-based detection systems that can identify AI-generated content. Additionally, I’ll cover best practices for enhancing security protocols to safeguard against AI-enhanced threats, as well as continuous education to stay informed about emerging AI-driven risks.
3. The Role of ChatGPT in Fake News and Misinformation
Generative AI has the power to create believable, yet completely fabricated, news articles and social media content. This can have dangerous consequences, from misleading public opinion to destabilizing institutions. I’ll address how to detect and counteract misinformation generated by AI and discuss tools that can verify sources and cross-check information in real-time.
4. Ethics and Responsibility in AI Development
How do we balance innovation with responsibility? As developers and users of AI, we must advocate for ethical guidelines that minimize the misuse of these technologies. This includes implementing transparency in AI-generated content, establishing guidelines for responsible use, and encouraging developers to build safeguards into AI tools.
5. Collaborative Efforts to Build a Secure AI Ecosystem
Finally, I’ll highlight the importance of collaboration between organizations, governments, and AI developers to create a secure and trustworthy AI environment. Together, we can set standards, develop industry-wide protocols, and promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness.
This speech aims to shed light on the double-edged sword that is generative AI, and I hope to inspire actionable steps for protecting both our systems and our society. Looking forward to engaging in an insightful discussion on these critical issues.
Riethofstrasse 40
8152 Opfikon, Schweiz
phone +41 44 808 10 00
Link: https://cysecday.com/session/impact-of-generative-ai-and-chatgpt-for-corporartions/
Use case: Phishing and Social Engineering with Chatbots
A cybercriminal sets up a fake support chatbot for a popular online banking platform. This malicious chatbot mimics the legitimate customer support chat interface of the bank and is designed to guide unsuspecting users through a “security check” to “verify” their accounts. Here’s how it works:
- Initial Contact: The attacker sends an email or SMS to a targeted individual, pretending to be the bank. The message informs the recipient of “suspicious activity” on their account and urges them to click on a link to chat with customer support for immediate assistance.
- Engaging with the Fake Chatbot: When the victim clicks the link, they’re taken to a fake website that closely resembles the bank’s official site. The website hosts the malicious chatbot, which has been programmed with a natural language model like ChatGPT. The chatbot initiates the conversation, using realistic language to greet the user and gain their trust.
- Gathering Sensitive Information: As the victim engages, the chatbot uses advanced conversational techniques to sound credible and reassuring. It might ask the victim to “confirm their identity” by providing their account number, password, and security questions, under the guise of helping them secure their account. It could also prompt the user to enter one-time codes received on their mobile device, giving the attacker full access to the account.
- Exfiltration of Data: Once the chatbot collects the information, it relays it to the attacker, who can then use it to access the victim’s account, transfer funds, or even sell the data on the dark web.
- Covering Tracks: In some cases, the chatbot could even simulate a “successful security check” message at the end of the chat, reassuring the victim that their account is now safe. This can delay the victim from suspecting any fraudulent activity, giving the attacker more time to exploit the stolen credentials.
