Microsoft Digital Defence Report: AI Cyber Threats – Technologist

The Microsoft Digital Defence Report sharply focuses on the scale and gravity of today’s cyber threat landscape. The report reveals a startling statistic: over 600 million cyber attacks are launched daily against organisations, critical infrastructure, and individuals worldwide.

As cyber criminal syndicates and nation-states increasingly unite, the sophistication and volume of cyber attacks have soared. Emerging technologies, particularly AI, amplify attackers’ capabilities, allowing them to leverage new tools and evade detection more easily.

This intensifying threat environment underscores the urgency for businesses to adopt robust, proactive defence strategies, something Neuways is uniquely prepared to provide with our comprehensive and adaptive cyber security solutions.

Why Are Password-Based Attacks and MFA Evasion So Concerning?

Password-based attacks have remained stubbornly pervasive, even as organisations have adopted multi-factor authentication (MFA). The report notes that these identity-related attacks dominate the landscape, exploiting weak passwords, reused credentials, and standard attack techniques like password spraying, brute force, and breach replays.

Microsoft blocks an astounding 7,000 password attacks per second, highlighting the relentless nature of these intrusions. Yet, even MFA faces significant threats; adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) phishing attacks surged by 146% in 2024. These attacks trick users into completing MFA on attackers’ behalf, sidestepping traditional protections. The critical rise of token theft—where attackers capture post-login tokens to bypass MFA—adds further complexity.

Neuways advocates for more resilient, phish-resistant MFA solutions like Yubikeys to counter these tactics. We recognise that relying solely on passwords or basic MFA is inadequate; comprehensive defence must include token protection and continuous access evaluation to stay a step ahead. We are committed to providing these adaptive solutions to protect our clients against increasingly sophisticated identity-based threats.

How Are Nation-states and Cybercriminals Shaping the Threat Landscape?

The report reveals a worrying trend: the lines between nation-state actors and cyber criminal groups are becoming increasingly blurred. These alliances allow state actors to use cyber criminal groups as proxies to conduct espionage, sabotage, and influence operations. The primary targets are regions with high geopolitical interest, including the US, Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the UAE. These developments have made critical infrastructure more vulnerable, with state-sponsored attacks aimed at destabilising essential sectors.

Neuways’ Threatsafe cyber security team monitors these geopolitical shifts with a nuanced understanding of global conflicts and cyber trends. By staying alert to these alliances, we can adapt our defensive strategies accordingly, delivering a context-driven approach that safeguards our clients against well-organised and often state-sponsored threats. Neuways’ proactive monitoring ensures our clients’ networks are fortified against these more sophisticated, resourceful adversaries.

Why Does Ransomware Continue To Be Such a Major Threat?

Ransomware, once primarily a tool for financial extortion, has now become a potent political weapon. In 2024, human-operated ransomware attacks surged 2.75 times, with cyber criminal groups like Akira, LockBit, Play, BlackCat, and Black Basta leading these assaults.

Unlike automated ransomware, human-operated attacks involve manual steps by attackers, disabling defences and targeting critical data for maximum impact. This approach is not only financially motivated but also used by nation-states to destabilise essential industries. Despite global cybersecurity awareness, ransomware remains a significant threat due to its adaptability and potential for widespread damage.

At Neuways, we are firm advocates of layered security. Our approach includes advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, which detect suspicious activity and prevent ransomware from taking hold. Combining EDR with AI-powered threat detection ensures our clients are protected against opportunistic and highly targeted ransomware attacks, reinforcing security at every layer.

What Strategic Measures Can Effectively Mitigate Cyber Risks?

Microsoft’s report calls for a unified and proactive approach to combat cyber threats, including enhanced security technology and meaningful deterrents to dissuade attackers. Neuways aligns with this vision, championing our clients’ comprehensive, threat-informed defence strategy.

By identifying and protecting critical assets from an attacker’s perspective, we help our clients secure high-value targets and mitigate risks more effectively. Furthermore, we advocate for adaptive security measures that allow organisations to anticipate and counter threats in real-time.

React with Neuways to the Microsoft Digital Defence Report

As cyber threats grow in sophistication and impact, Neuways remains steadfast in our commitment to deliver a security approach that truly makes a difference. With our attitude, we stand as a trusted partner, leveraging advanced technology and deep cyber security expertise to help our clients confidently face today’s complex cyber landscape.