Rising Challenges in the Cybersecurity Landscape
The Treasury Department’s chief information security officer, Sarah Nur, and other top federal cybersecurity officials are facing an increasingly intense battle to protect federal networks from adversarial threats, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at a recent GDIT event in Washington, Nur described her role as a relentless game of Whac-a-Mole, emphasizing that AI has made it much easier for unsophisticated threat actors to create and launch attack scenarios. These attackers are now more capable of exploiting vulnerabilities in the current infrastructure, making the job of cybersecurity professionals more challenging than ever before.
AI Amplifying Cyber Threats
Cynthia Kaiser, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division, noted a significant increase in the capabilities of adversaries due to AI. AI allows hackers to perform basic scripting tasks more efficiently and identify coding errors more easily. It also enhances the effectiveness of social engineering campaigns through deepfakes and sophisticated spearphishing messages. According to Kaiser, even beginner hackers can quickly advance to an intermediate level, while the most skilled adversaries can become even more efficient.
Gharun Lacy, deputy assistant secretary for cyber and technology security at the State Department, echoed these concerns. He observed that threat actors are using AI to enhance their best skills, making their phishing emails more personalized and effective. The Treasury Department, in particular, is vulnerable due to its role as the federal government’s sanctions arm and the financial industry being a prime target for cyberattacks. Nur explained that hackers can now easily create undetected attack scenarios using AI, with ready-to-go packages available on the dark web.
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Leveraging AI for Defense and Collaboration
Despite the growing threats, federal security officials see AI as a powerful tool for defense. Nur stressed the importance of leveraging AI to quickly detect anomalies, fraud, or suspicious activity. Coordination and information-sharing with public and private-sector partners are crucial in maintaining an advantage over attackers. Kaiser highlighted the benefits of using large language models to draft interagency memos and alerts more rapidly, which significantly aids in the battle against cyber threats.
At the State Department, AI is being used to reduce noise in threat intelligence, allowing for more actionable insights. Lacy mentioned that streamlining data helps the department provide valuable information to its partners more efficiently. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting the State Department’s regular meetings with cyber defenders from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand to share critical information.
The Treasury Department recently launched Project Fortress, a public-private partnership aimed at protecting the financial sector from AI-fueled threats. Nur explained that the initiative focuses on ensuring participating financial institutions have access to top tools and are practicing good cyber hygiene before aggressive AI attacks become commonplace.
Federal cybersecurity officials agree that mitigating AI-fueled threats requires increased collaboration and better information-sharing. Nur pointed out that past reluctance to share information due to embarrassment or reputational impact must be overcome. Agencies need to expect and accept multiple incidents annually and focus on collective action to address these challenges effectively.
AI-fueled threats: The growing sophistication of cyber threats in the AI age demands a proactive and collaborative approach from federal agencies. By leveraging AI for defense and enhancing coordination with partners, cybersecurity officials aim to stay ahead of adversaries and protect critical infrastructure from evolving dangers.
