Class
Article
College
Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
Department
Economics and Finance Department
Faculty Mentor
Jeannie Johnson
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology paired with existing malware technologies and social-engineering methods presents a dynamic threat that many existing cybersecurity systems are not prepared to mitigate. Malicious AI applied in cyberattacks is highly plausible in the near-term time-horizon and would be very characteristic of state and non-state actors. The subset of malware called ransomware is a likely candidate whose proliferation, when paired with AI, could have wide-reaching consequences to many individuals. NotPetya and WannaCry, are two examples of the immense financial damages that result from an effective ransomware attack. AI being used to instigate a ransomware attack provides the actor with the ability to commit more targeted attacks that utilize facial, voice, and geolocation trigger conditions. Next, the democratization of AI technology could make traditional phishing scams become more complex and allow attackers to graduate to widespread spear phishing attacks. These attacks would be much less labor-intensive and far more profitable because the application of AI would automate many of the steps that are taken to execute a target-specific attack and could replicate it indefinitely. This research will examine existing cyberattack methods that would benefit from AI systems being used in conjunction with existing methods by state and non-state actors. This analysis aims to raise awareness about AI being a dual-use technology with potentially malicious applications and to demonstrate how the democratization of AI technology will likely lead to more complex cyberattacks against individuals, corporations, and nations. The intended audience is cybersecurity professionals and intelligence analysts who may be affected by this emergent technology. Presentation Time: Thursday, 3-4 p.m.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Malicious Applications of Artificial Intelligence Escalate Existing Vulnerabilities to Cyberattacks
Logan, UT
The democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology paired with existing malware technologies and social-engineering methods presents a dynamic threat that many existing cybersecurity systems are not prepared to mitigate. Malicious AI applied in cyberattacks is highly plausible in the near-term time-horizon and would be very characteristic of state and non-state actors. The subset of malware called ransomware is a likely candidate whose proliferation, when paired with AI, could have wide-reaching consequences to many individuals. NotPetya and WannaCry, are two examples of the immense financial damages that result from an effective ransomware attack. AI being used to instigate a ransomware attack provides the actor with the ability to commit more targeted attacks that utilize facial, voice, and geolocation trigger conditions. Next, the democratization of AI technology could make traditional phishing scams become more complex and allow attackers to graduate to widespread spear phishing attacks. These attacks would be much less labor-intensive and far more profitable because the application of AI would automate many of the steps that are taken to execute a target-specific attack and could replicate it indefinitely. This research will examine existing cyberattack methods that would benefit from AI systems being used in conjunction with existing methods by state and non-state actors. This analysis aims to raise awareness about AI being a dual-use technology with potentially malicious applications and to demonstrate how the democratization of AI technology will likely lead to more complex cyberattacks against individuals, corporations, and nations. The intended audience is cybersecurity professionals and intelligence analysts who may be affected by this emergent technology. Presentation Time: Thursday, 3-4 p.m.