THE rise in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, as highlighted by a top-tier cybersecurity company, underscores the essential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in bolstering cybersecurity defenses across vital sectors like energy, transportation and health care.
With cyberattacks on the utilities sector up by 37 percent in 2024 and an average of 1,514 weekly attacks, the need for advanced, AI-powered solutions has never been more pressing, according to Check Point Software Technologies.
AI’s capabilities — particularly in real-time threat detection, anomaly recognition, and response automation — are transforming cybersecurity by equipping critical infrastructure with defenses that traditional methods cannot achieve.
The rise of AI-driven attacks, quantum threats and social media exploitation is creating a new era of emerging technologies and landscape for today’s cybercriminals, pushing cybersecurity experts to enhance security and operations within critical infrastructure. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Here are some key ways AI enhances security and operations within critical infrastructure:
AI-driven threat detection. AI algorithms excel in processing vast data from intricate networks, detecting subtle threat patterns and signs of compromise. This allows essential services like power grids and health care systems to respond to potential breaches quickly, mitigating the risk of disruption.
Security automation and orchestration. By automating routine security tasks, AI enables faster threat response. It can autonomously investigate alerts, analyze data from multiple sources, and initiate responses, freeing human experts to focus on complex challenges and strategic threat mitigation.
Generative AI (GenAI) in cybersecurity. GenAI holds dual benefits and risks. While it assists defenders in areas like vulnerability detection, it also poses risks, as cybercriminals can exploit it to create advanced phishing campaigns and malware. This dual nature calls for proactive, AI-driven defenses in critical sectors.
Converged cyber AI strategy. To combat AI-enhanced cyberthreats, organizations are adopting a converged approach, integrating AI capabilities throughout their security stack. This unified strategy enables a comprehensive defense, enhancing preparedness against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Beyond cybersecurity, AI is also transforming operational efficiency in sectors like energy, transportation and health care:
Energy sector. AI optimizes smart grids by predicting energy demands, improving distribution and facilitating renewable energy integration. In predictive maintenance, AI anticipates equipment failures, reducing downtime and costs.
Transportation sector. AI enhances traffic management, predictive maintenance and public transport optimization, which improves efficiency, safety and sustainability. AI-powered systems also support autonomous vehicles, safety surveillance and logistics operations.
Health care. AI-driven threat detection systems bolster cybersecurity, protecting sensitive patient data from breaches. AI also streamlines incident response, vulnerability management and fraud detection within health care systems.
Education sector. AI personalized learning, automated grading, and enhanced accessibility make educational experiences more efficient and inclusive. It also aids administrators with predictive analytics to improve resource allocation.
AI’s integration across these sectors signifies a critical step in advancing security, efficiency and sustainability in an increasingly interconnected world.
Embracing AI in critical infrastructure is essential for ensuring operational resilience, safeguarding against cyberthreats, and building a foundation for future technological growth.
2025 predictions
Cybersecurity predictions for 2025 forecast significant shifts in the threat landscape driven by emerging technologies.
The following key predictions include:
AI-driven attacks. Cybercriminals will use AI to craft sophisticated, personalized phishing attacks and adaptive malware. AI tools will make cybercrime accessible to smaller hacker groups, enabling large-scale attacks without deep technical expertise.
Ransomware targeting supply chains. Ransomware will increasingly target critical supply chains, with automated, AI-enhanced phishing and deepfakes potentially compromising entire industries.
Risks from improper AI use. With the widespread adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT, inadvertent data exposure becomes a risk. Organizations will need governance frameworks to monitor AI use and ensure data privacy.
Quantum threats. Quantum computing could challenge current encryption methods, pressing industries like finance and health care to adopt quantum-safe encryption in preparation for future threats.
Deepfakes and social media exploitation. AI-powered deepfakes and social media-targeted scams will rise, affecting corporate security and financial transactions. Real-time AI defenses will be necessary to counter these risks.
AI in security operations. Security Operations Centers (SOCs) will benefit from AI co-pilots, which will analyze data, prioritize threats, and reduce false positives, boosting response times and team efficiency.
CIO and CISO role convergence. The increasing adoption of AI and hybrid-cloud environments will blur the lines between chief information officer and chief information security officer roles, leading to a more integrated approach to risk management.
Cloud security dominance. Integrated cloud security platforms, supported by AI-driven threat prevention, will become central to cybersecurity, transitioning from reactive to proactive defense mechanisms.
IoT expansion and risks. With the projected rise to 32 billion IoT devices, the attack surface will broaden, necessitating zero-trust architectures and AI-powered threat detection to safeguard cloud networks.
Social media and service account vulnerabilities. Attackers will leverage social media and undersecured service accounts for network infiltration and lateral movement, underscoring the need for organizations to adopt preventative measures.
“Both attackers and defenders will increasingly depend on AI in 2025,” said Dr. Dorit Dor, Check Point chief technology officer. “Security teams will need AI-tailored solutions for real-time, adaptive defenses to keep pace with the evolving cyberthreats.”
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