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In his Black Hat keynote, Microsoft's AI security chief David Weston pointed out that specially trained models can help cybercriminals discover unknown security vulnerabilities and directly generate usable exploit code, making it easier to gain initial access to infrastructure. He suggested that defenders likewise use agentic AI to hunt for vulnerabilities in infrastructure and software, striving to complete patching before the first attack. Related reporting also discussed the declining willingness to pay ransomware ransoms and new methods attackers use to steal confidential data.
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Malware situation 2026: fewer ransom payments, more vulnerabilities, evolving attack methodsDevelopments
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Microsoft's David Weston discusses attackers using AI in Black Hat keynote
Source:heise online
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Oct 30
heise online
Malware situation 2026: fewer ransom payments, more vulnerabilities, evolving attack methods
In his Black Hat keynote, Microsoft AI security chief David Weston pointed out that specially trained models can help cybercriminals discover unknown security vulnerabilities and directly generate usable exploit code, making it easier to gain initial access to infrastructure. He recommends that defenders likewise use agentic AI to hunt for vulnerabilities in infrastructure and software, aiming to patch them before the first attack. The article also discusses the declining willingness to pay ransomware ransoms and new methods attackers use to steal confidential data.