As artificial intelligence evolves, businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercrime, and cybercriminals use new approaches to manipulate employees and business owners. But the main question is: how prepared are businesses to tackle this threat?
For instance, a hacker can use voice-cloning technology to impersonate a company manager and request sensitive information or funds. Because the recipient may be unable to distinguish the cloned voice from the real one, they could unknowingly share confidential information, giving hackers a gateway into the company’s systems.
According to Kaspersky, cybercriminals have made nearly 4.8 million attempts to exploit popular workplace platforms over the past year, using trusted services such as Zoom, Outlook, and OneDrive to disguise phishing attacks, malicious files, and account takeover attempts.
Furthermore, cybercriminals were already exploiting vulnerabilities and scamming individuals before AI emerged, but the evolution of the technology has multiplied these risks, enabling highly tailored threats that make it easier for victims to fall prey to scams.
However, businesses can strengthen their preparedness for the AI era by adopting AI-powered cybersecurity solutions within their IT systems. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity has become a fundamental priority for every business. Companies can deploy systems that monitor network behaviour, flag suspicious activity,y and respond to potential threats in real time. This enhances system security while reducing the time required for manual threat detection and response.
Another key strategy is adopting a Zero Trust security approach, which assumes that no user or device should be trusted automatically. Businesses should implement continuous authentication and regularly verify users and devices accessing their networks. This helps identify unauthorized access and detect potential security risks before they escalate.
Employee training and awareness are equally significant in strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture. By educating staff on AI-related risks and cybersecurity practices, businesses can improve their ability to identify deepfakes, sophisticated phishing emails, ls and other advanced cyber threats. This awareness enables employees to recognize potential attacks early and take appropriate action to protect the organization.
As businesses integrate AI into their operations, they must also carefully assess the vendors responsible for developing, securing, and managing the AI capabilities they rely on. While companies may have control over their internal systems, limited visibility into third-party vendors’ operations can expose them to risks, as a vulnerability within a vendor’s infrastructure could potentially compromise the business. To mitigate these risks, businesses should incorporate AI vendors into their broader technology and risk management strategies, ensuring that security standards, accountability, and risk mitigation measures are aligned across the entire ecosystem.
Ultimately, as businesses focus on growth, cybersecurity measures should also be included to ensure the business runs smoothly and faces threats that could lead to inconvenience for the business in this digital era.
Real ESG impact doesn’t happen in panels alone, it happens in the rooms where financiers, operators, and policymakers actually align. Our GreenShift Forum 2026 cuts the noise, bringing together the people rewiring Africa’s sustainability and energy frameworks for one focused day in Nairobi. Secure your seat.
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to info@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
