AI in Cybersecurity: Friend or Foe?

The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving as AI becomes a double-edged sword—enhancing both defences and cybercriminal capabilities. A recent LexisNexis study revealed that Asia-Pacific (APAC) leads globally in AI-powered fraud attacks. Specifically, social engineering incidents rising 61% year-over-year and bot-driven attacks increasing by 6%. These developments highlight the urgency for enterprises to reassess their digital defences amid a growing cat-and-mouse game with AI-enabled adversaries. 

Cybercriminals are leveraging generative AI to craft sophisticated phishing emails, clone executive voices, and produce deepfake videos—tricking even vigilant employees into approving fraudulent transactions. This has prompted experts to call for multi-layered defence strategies that go beyond firewalls. Legal and cybersecurity teams must collaborate to create robust AI usage policies, watermark communications, simulate phishing threats, and establish protocols that discourage impulsive actions during urgent C-suite impersonations. 

AI agents on the defensive side can significantly improve threat detection by automating routine monitoring, identifying anomalies in real time, and anticipating potential breaches. However, these AI tools are only as effective as the governance structures surrounding them. Regulators in Singapore and Hong Kong are already pushing companies to build faster, coordinated incident response plans, requiring breach logs, evidence trails, and board-level accountability. 

A major concern is third-party risk. Many breaches now originate from poorly secured vendors, making supply chain security a priority. Companies are encouraged to maintain live vendor lists, enforce contractual security obligations, and implement tiered risk assessments. 

Ultimately, AI’s role in cybersecurity remains ambiguous—it empowers both defenders and attackers. The most effective strategy is not to outrun cybercriminals but to build smarter, more resilient systems. Cross-functional readiness, transparent governance, and AI-driven detection are now essential pillars of any enterprise’s cybersecurity posture in a world where AI plays both sides of the chase. 

Source: 

https://www.itnews.asia/news/the-real-life-tom-jerry-chase-619027