APTs Detected In Over 43% Of High-Severity Incidents
According to the latest Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) analyst report, advanced persistent threats (APTs) have been detected in 25% of companies, accounting for over 43% of all high-severity incidents. This marks a staggering 74% increase compared to 2023.
The annual Managed Detection and Response (MDR) analyst report provides insights based on the analysis of MDR incidents identified by Kaspersky's Security Operations Center team. The report sheds light on the most prevalent attacker tactics, techniques and tools, as well as the characteristics of detected incidents and their distribution across regions and industry sectors among MDR customers.
According to recent findings, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), classified as human-driven attacks, significantly affected one in four companies, representing a staggering 43% of all high-severity incidents detected in 2024. Compared to previous years, this marks a striking 74% increase from 2023 and a 43% rise from 2022. Despite advancements in automated detection technologies, determined attackers continue to exploit vulnerabilities and circumvent these systems. Notably, APTs were identified across every sector except telecommunications, with the IT and government sectors bearing the brunt.
Moreover, incidents characterized as human-driven attacks confirmed by customers as cyber exercises comprised more than 17% of total incidents. Additionally, severe violations of security policies comprised approximately 12% of high-severity events, with malware-related incidents also accounting for over 12%, predominantly affecting the financial, industrial and IT sectors.
'In 2024, we observed a significant escalation in Advanced Persistent Threats and this alarming trend emphasizes that even with advancements in automated detection, determined human-driven attacks continue to exploit vulnerabilities across various sectors. Organizations must enhance their preparedness and invest in comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to counteract these sophisticated threats,' states Sergey Soldatov, Head of Security Operations Center at Kaspersky.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Artificial Intelligence in cybersecurity: savior or saboteur?
Artificial intelligence has rapidly emerged as both a cornerstone of innovation and a ticking time bomb in the realm of cybersecurity. Once viewed predominantly as a force for good, enabling smarter threat detection, automating incident responses, and predicting attacks before they happen — AI has now taken on a double-edged role. The very capabilities that make it invaluable to cybersecurity professionals are now being exploited by cybercriminals to launch faster, more convincing, and more damaging attacks. From phishing emails indistinguishable from real business correspondence to deepfake videos that impersonate CEOs and public figures with chilling accuracy, AI is arming attackers with tools that were previously the stuff of science fiction. And as large language models (LLMs), generative AI, and deep learning evolve, the tactics used by bad actors are becoming more scalable, precise, and difficult to detect. 'The threat landscape is fundamentally shifting,' says Sergey Lozhkin, Head of the Global Research & Analysis Team for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa at Kaspersky. 'From the outset, cybercriminals began using large language models to craft highly convincing phishing emails. Poor grammar and awkward phrasing — once dead giveaways are disappearing. Today's scams can perfectly mimic tone, structure, and professional language.' But the misuse doesn't stop at email. Attackers are now using AI to create fake websites, generate deceptive images, and even produce deepfake audio and video to impersonate trusted figures. In some cases, these tactics have tricked victims into transferring large sums of money or divulging sensitive data. According to Roland Daccache, Senior Manager – Sales Engineering at CrowdStrike MEA, AI is now being used across the entire attack chain. 'Generative models are fueling more convincing phishing lures, deepfake-based social engineering, and faster malware creation. For example, DPRK-nexus adversary Famous Chollima used genAI to create fake LinkedIn profiles and résumé content to infiltrate organisations as IT workers. In another case, attackers used AI-generated voice and video deepfakes to impersonate executives for high-value business email compromise (BEC) schemes.' The cybercrime community is also openly discussing how to weaponize LLMs for writing exploits, shell commands, and malware scripts on dark web forums, further lowering the barrier of entry for would-be hackers. This democratisation of hacking tools means that even novice cybercriminals can now orchestrate sophisticated attacks with minimal effort. Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder of CertiK, a leading blockchain cybersecurity firm, highlights how AI is empowering attackers to scale and personalize their strategies. 'AI-generated phishing that mirrors human tone, deepfake technology for social engineering, and adaptive tools that bypass detection are allowing even low-skill threat actors to act with precision. For advanced groups, AI brings greater automation and effectiveness.' On the technical front, Janne Hirvimies, Chief Technology Officer of QuantumGate, notes a growing use of AI in reconnaissance and brute-force tactics. 'Threat actors use AI to automate phishing, conduct rapid data scraping, and craft malware that adapts in real time. Techniques like reinforcement learning are being explored for lateral movement and exploit optimisation, making attacks faster and more adaptive.' Fortifying Cyber Defenses To outsmart AI-enabled attackers, enterprises must embed AI not just as a support mechanism, but as a central system in their cybersecurity strategy. 'AI has been a core part of our operations for over two decades,' says Lozhkin. 'Without it, security operations center (SOC) analysts can be overwhelmed by alert fatigue and miss critical threats.' Kaspersky's approach focuses on AI-powered alert triage and prioritisation through advanced machine learning, which filters noise and surfaces the most pressing threats. 'It's not just about automation — it's about augmentation,' Lozhkin explains. 'Our AI Technology Research Centre ensures we pair this power with human oversight. That combination of cutting-edge analytics and skilled professionals enables us to detect over 450,000 malicious objects every day.' But the AI evolution doesn't stop at smarter alerts. According to Daccache, the next frontier is agentic AI — a system that can autonomously detect, analyze, and respond to threats in real time. 'Traditional automation tools can only go so far,' Daccache says. 'What's needed is AI that thinks and acts — what we call agentic capabilities. This transforms AI from a passive observer into a frontline responder.' CrowdStrike's Charlotte AI, integrated within its Falcon platform, embodies this vision. It understands security telemetry in context, prioritises critical incidents, and initiates immediate countermeasures, reducing analyst workload and eliminating delays during high-stakes incidents. 'That's what gives defenders the speed and consistency needed to combat fast-moving, AI-enabled threats,' Daccache adds. Gu believes AI's strength lies in its ability to analyze massive volumes of data and identify nuanced threat patterns that traditional tools overlook. 'AI-powered threat detection doesn't replace human decision-making — it amplifies it,' Gu explains. 'With intelligent triage and dynamic anomaly detection, AI reduces response time and makes threat detection more proactive.' He also stresses the importance of training AI models on real-world, diverse datasets to ensure adaptability. 'The threat landscape is not static. Your AI defenses shouldn't be either,' Gu adds. At the core of any robust AI integration strategy lies data — lots of it. Hirvimies advocates for deploying machine learning models across SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms. 'These systems can correlate real-time threat intelligence, behavioral anomalies, and system events to deliver faster, more precise responses,' he says. 'Especially when it comes to detecting novel or stealthy attack patterns, machine learning makes the difference between catching a threat and becoming a headline.' Balancing Innovation with Integrity While AI can supercharge threat detection, response times, and threat simulations, it also brings with it the potential for misuse, collateral damage, and the erosion of privacy. 'Ethical AI use demands transparency, clear boundaries, and responsible data handling,' says Lozhkin.'Organisations must also ensure that employees are properly trained in the safe use of AI tools to avoid misuse or unintended exposure to threats.' He highlights Kaspersky's Automated Security Awareness Platform, which now includes dedicated sections on AI-assisted threats and responsible usage, reflecting the company's commitment to proactive education. When AI is deployed in red teaming or simulated cyberattacks, the risk matrix expands. Gu warns that AI systems, if left unchecked, can make decisions devoid of human context, potentially leading to unintended and widespread consequences. 'Ethical AI governance, robust testing environments, and clearly defined boundaries are essential,' he says, underlining the delicate balance required to simulate threats without crossing into unethical territory. Daccache emphasises the importance of a privacy-first, security-first approach. 'AI must be developed and operated with Privacy-by-Design and Secure-by-Design principles,' he explains. 'This extends to protecting the AI systems themselves — including their training data, operational logic, and outputs—from adversarial manipulation.' Daccache also points to the need for securing both AI-generated queries and outputs, especially in sensitive operations like red teaming. Without such safeguards, there's a real danger of data leakage or misuse. 'Transparency, accountability, and documentation of AI's capabilities and limitations are vital, not just to build trust, but to meet regulatory and ethical standards,' he adds. Despite AI's growing autonomy, human oversight remains non-negotiable. 'While AI can accelerate simulations and threat detection, it must be guided by skilled professionals who can interpret its actions with context and responsibility,' says Daccache. This human-AI collaboration ensures that the tools remain aligned with organisational values and ethical norms. Hirvimies rounds out the conversation with additional cautionary notes: 'Privacy violations, data misuse, bias in training datasets, and the misuse of offensive tools are pressing concerns. Transparent governance and strict ethical guidelines aren't optional, they're essential.' Balancing the Equation While AI promises speed, scale, and smarter defense mechanisms, experts caution that an over-reliance on these systems, especially when deployed without proper calibration and oversight — could expose organisations to new forms of risk. 'Absolutely, over-reliance on AI can backfire if systems are not properly calibrated or monitored,' says Lozhkin. 'Adversarial attacks where threat actors feed manipulated data to mislead AI are a growing concern. Additionally, AI can generate false positives, which can overwhelm security teams and lead to alert fatigue. To avoid this, companies should use a layered defence strategy, retrain models frequently, and maintain human oversight to validate AI-driven alerts and decisions.' This warning resonates across the cybersecurity landscape. Daccache echoes the concern, emphasising the need for transparency and control. 'Over-relying on AI, especially when treated as a black box, carries real risks. Adversaries are already targeting AI systems — from poisoning training data to crafting inputs that exploit model blind spots,' he explains. 'Without the right guardrails, AI can produce false positives or inconsistent decisions that erode trust and delay response.' Daccache stresses that AI must remain a tool that complements — not replaces—human decision-making. 'AI should be an extension of human judgement. That requires transparency, control, and context at every layer of deployment. High-quality data is essential, but so is ensuring outcomes are explainable, repeatable and operationally sound,' he says. 'Organisations should adopt AI systems that accelerate outcomes and are verifiable, auditable and secure by design.' Gu adds that blind spots in AI models can lead to serious lapses. 'AI systems are not infallible,' he says. 'Over-reliance can lead to susceptibility to adversarial inputs or overwhelming volumes of false positives that strain human analysts. To mitigate this, organizations should adopt a human-in-the-loop approach, combine AI insights with contextual human judgment, and routinely stress-test models against adversarial tactics.' Gu also warns about the evolving tactics of bad actors. 'An AI provider might block certain prompts to prevent misuse, but attackers are constantly finding clever ways to circumvent these restrictions. This makes human intervention all the more important in companies' mitigation strategies.' Governing the Double-Edged Sword As AI continues to embed itself deeper into global digital infrastructure, the question of governance looms large: will we soon see regulations or international frameworks guiding how AI is used in both cyber defense and offense? Lozhkin underscores the urgency of proactive regulation. 'Yes, there should definitely be an international framework. AI technologies offer incredible efficiency and progress, but like any innovation, they carry their fair share of risks,' he says. 'At Kaspersky, we believe new technologies should be embraced, not feared. The key is to fully understand their threats and build strong, proactive security solutions that address those risks while enabling safe and responsible innovation.' For Daccache, the focus is not just on speculative regulation, but on instilling foundational principles in AI systems from the start. 'As AI becomes more embedded in cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, questions around governance, risk, and accountability are drawing increased attention,' he explains. 'Frameworks like the GDPR already mandate technology-neutral protections, meaning what matters most is how organizations manage risk not whether AI is used.' Daccache emphasises that embedding Privacy-by-Design and Secure-by-Design into AI development is paramount. 'To support this approach, CrowdStrike offers AI Red Teaming Services, helping organisations proactively test and secure their AI systems against misuse and adversarial threats. It's one example of how we're enabling customers to adopt AI with confidence and a security-first mindset.' On the other hand, Gu highlights how AI is not only transforming defensive mechanisms but is also fuelling new forms of offensive capabilities. 'As AI becomes integral to both defence and offense in cyberspace, regulatory frameworks will be necessary to establish norms, ensure transparency, and prevent misuse. We expect to see both national guidelines and international cooperation similar to existing cybercrime treaties emerge to govern AI applications, particularly in areas involving privacy, surveillance, and offensive capabilities.' Echoing this sentiment, Hirvimies concludes by saying that developments are already underway. 'Yes. Regulations like the EU AI Act and global cyber norms are evolving to address dual-use AI,' he says. 'We can expect more international frameworks focused on responsible AI use in cyber defence, limits on offensive AI capabilities, and cross-border incident response cooperation. At QuantumGate, we've designed our products to support this shift and facilitate compliance with the country's cryptography regulations.'
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
ESET named a notable provider in latest European MDR Landscape report
Dubai, UAE: ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce its recognition as a 'Notable Provider' in Forrester's recently released The Managed Detection and Response Services in Europe Landscape, Q2 2025 report. The report provides an overview of 26 MDR providers and serves as a strategic guide for security and risk (S&R) professionals seeking to navigate the evolving European MDR landscape. As outlined in the report*, Forrester defines MDR services as: 'Services that augment extended detection and response (XDR) tools with telemetry from network, identity, cloud, APIs, applications, and other log sources to produce high-fidelity detections, conduct investigations, support remote incident response, enable security automation, initiate threat hunts to identify adversaries that circumvent security controls, and help improve their clients' overall security posture.' In our view, ESET´s inclusion in the report underscores its growing influence in the European cybersecurity market and reaffirms the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, proactive threat detection and response capabilities. 'We are proud to be recognized by Forrester as a Notable Provider in the European MDR landscape,' said Michal Jankech, Vice President, Enterprise & SMB/MSP, at ESET. 'For us, this acknowledgment is a testament to the relentless dedication of our global teams and our unwavering commitment to protecting organizations across Europe with cutting-edge, resilient cybersecurity solutions. As the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex and adversaries more sophisticated, we believe that MDR must evolve beyond traditional detection and response. At ESET, we are focused on delivering intelligent and cost-effective services that not only detect threats but also empower organizations to respond with speed, precision, and confidence.' The European MDR market is becoming increasingly competitive and mature, leading customers to demand better services at lower costs. To stay competitive, providers are innovating with their offerings and pricing. As a consequence, S&R professionals will have a wide range of provider options to consider. The Forrester report identifies three major dynamics shaping the MDR market in Europe, all of which align closely with ESET's MDR offerings: European firms consider XDR an essential capability: ESET's XDR-enabling solution delivers comprehensive, transparent threat visibility and response across endpoints, networks, and applications. Backed by over 30 years of cybersecurity innovation, it combines multilayered protection, intelligent automation, and expert-level customization. AI helps fill talent gaps in detection, but not response: Complemented by expert insights, ESET effectively integrates AI into its MDR offerings through ESET AI Advisor. This tool delivers real-time, personalized threat insights, simplifies complex data for all skill levels, and boosts efficiency by automating routine tasks—empowering faster, smarter threat response. Niche regional providers leverage localization and specialization to compete with dominant players: Leveraging its Central European roots, ESET delivers highly localized, regulation-aligned cybersecurity solutions across EMEA. *Forrester: The Managed Detection And Response Services In Europe Landscape, Q2 2025. Tope Olufon with Jinan Budge, Min Say, Angela Lozada, Bill Nagel. May 1, 2025 Discover more about ESET MDR services and XDR solutions. The full report is available to Forrester clients with a valid subscription or for purchase. Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester's objectivity here. About ESET ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown— securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it's endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs. Media Contact Sanjeev Vistar Communications PO Box 127631 Dubai, UAE Email: sanjeev@
Gulf Business
6 days ago
- Gulf Business
AI-driven ransomware tops 2025 cyber threats in META, says Kaspersky
Image: Getty Images Cyber security firm The report shows that Türkiye and Kenya recorded the highest share of users impacted by web-based threats (26.1 per cent and 20.1 per cent respectively), while the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan reported the lowest levels of web-borne attacks in the region. Key threat: Ransomware Ransomware remains one of the most dangerous threats facing businesses in 2025, particularly in digitally advanced markets in the Middle East. The region has seen an increase in ransomware victims due to 'rapid digital transformation, expanding attack surfaces and varying levels of cybersecurity maturity.' Kaspersky highlights the rise of FunkSec, a new ransomware group that 'quickly gained notoriety by surpassing established groups like Cl0p and RansomHub.' FunkSec operates using a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model and adopts 'double extortion tactics combining data encryption with exfiltration,' while relying heavily on 'AI-generated code, complete with flawless comments, likely produced by large language models (LLMs) to enhance development and evade detection.' Unlike most ransomware groups, FunkSec uses a high-volume, low-ransom strategy, making its attacks more accessible and scalable. Emerging trends Kaspersky warns that ransomware actors are becoming more creative and stealthy. 'Ransomware is expected to evolve by exploiting unconventional vulnerabilities,' the report notes, citing the Akira gang, which used a webcam to bypass endpoint detection systems and infiltrate networks. Attackers are now targeting 'overlooked entry points like IoT devices, smart appliances or misconfigured hardware in the workplace,' taking advantage of the broader attack surface created by increasingly interconnected environments. The rise of generative AI and development tools such as RPA and LowCode is also enabling less-skilled threat actors. 'LLMs marketed on the dark web lower the technical barrier to creating malicious code, phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks,' Kaspersky noted. These tools also allow attackers to 'automate ransomware deployment,' making threats both scalable and harder to trace. Kaspersky is monitoring 25 active advanced persistent threat (APT) groups in the META region, including SideWinder, Origami Elephant, and MuddyWater. These groups are showing 'a growing use of creative exploits targeting mobile devices, along with ongoing advancements in techniques designed to evade detection.' Recommendations for organisations In a statement, Sergey Lozhkin , head of META and APAC regions in Kaspersky's global research and analysis team, warned: 'Ransomware is one of the most pressing cybersecurity threats facing organizations today, with attackers targeting businesses of all sizes and across every region, including META.' He added that criminals are 'exploiting overlooked entry points — including IoT devices, smart appliances, and misconfigured or outdated workplace hardware,' and that these 'often go unmonitored, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.' To counter these risks, Kaspersky advises companies to: Always keep software updated on all the devices you use. Focus your defense strategy on detecting lateral movements and data exfiltration. Set up offline backups that intruders cannot tamper with. Provide your SOC team with access to the latest threat intelligence and regularly upskill them. Use Kaspersky Next, a security platform that offers 'real-time protection, threat Read:
