NCSC: The AI shift in cyber risk: why leaders must act now

Reference: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/the-ai-shift-in-cyber-risk-why-leaders-must-act-now

Alongside the other members of the Five Eyes partnership the NCSC has published an article on the impact of threat actors using various disciplines of AI to accelerate attack paths, of note they have identified the following key practical take aways:
• Reduce your attack surface:
Limit unnecessary system access and external connectivity. Challenge whether systems need to be exposed at all and isolate those that do not.

• Accelerate patching processes:
AI is shortening the time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation. Delays in patching increase risk, especially for operational systems with long update cycles. Prioritise security updates accordingly to manage risks.

• Address legacy systems:
Unsupported systems are easy targets. They are not just technical debt, they are strategic liabilities.

• Review and strengthen identity and access controls:
Limit who can access critical systems. Enforce strong authentication and regularly review permissions.

• Prepare for incidents before they happen:
Test response plans, train and prepare teams, and assume breaches will occur. Focus on fast containment and recovery.