Nokia Addresses AI-Driven Cyberattacks and Mounting Threats

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Nokia’s Threat Intelligence Report shows alarming increase in cyberattacks
Nokia's Threat Intelligence Report reveals a dramatic increase in DDoS attacks on telecom infrastructure, with cybercriminals leveraging AI and automation

As businesses and individuals rely more heavily on technology, the security of digital infrastructures is becoming paramount.

Considering that cybercriminals must be ever adaptable to keep up with developing cybersecurity, they are now harnessing advanced technologies to their advantage.

Against this backdrop, Nokia, a leading telecommunications equipment manufacturer, has released its tenth Threat Intelligence Report, shedding light on the rapidly changing face of cybersecurity threats.

The report paints a concerning picture of the current cybersecurity landscape, particularly for telecom infrastructure.

According to the findings, the number and frequency of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have increased dramatically, with cybercriminals utilising AI and automation to enhance their capabilities and exploit business’ vulnerabilities.

From June 2023 to June 2024, the report says many networks experienced over 100 DDoS attacks per day, a stark increase from the previous norm of one or two daily attacks.

DDoS attacks, which overwhelm systems with traffic to render them inoperable, represent a significant threat to telecom infrastructure.

According to the report, botnets, networks of compromised computers controlled by cybercriminals, continue to be the primary source of these attacks, accounting for about 60% of DDoS traffic monitored by Nokia during the reporting period.

The role of IoT and AI

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has contributed significantly to the growth in DDoS attacks.

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The report states that hundreds of thousands of insecure IoT devices, from smart refrigerators to smartwatches, often have weak security protections.

These devices, coupled with high-speed broadband connections, facilitate the spread of malware.

Generative AI (Gen AI) and automation are increasingly being harnessed by cybercriminals to enhance the speed, volume and sophistication of their attacks.

However, the report also notes that communication service providers are beginning to use the same technologies to improve their response times and effectiveness against these threats.

Regional disparities in cyber threats

Interestingly, Nokia also highlights significant regional differences in cybersecurity threats.

North America for example, with its concentration of telecom infrastructure and large enterprises in the US, has borne the brunt of these attacks, accounting for about one-third of the total.

Notably, North America was hit by a DDoS attack in what is believed to be the largest cyber-attack launched on the telecom operators of America to date.

According to SecurityHQ, a global cybersecurity service provider, the attack caused cell phone network disruptions in states.

Meanwhile in East Asia, Nokia notes a prevalence of data leaks due to inadvertent exposures by companies themselves.

Western Europe, however, faces a combination of cyber espionage and financially motivated breaches.

Emerging cyber threats

New areas of concern, including threats to System-on-Chips (SoCs), are also identified in the report.

These integrated circuits, which incorporate various computer components to enhance performance and reduce power consumption, are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in firmware, software and hardware interfaces.

Quantum computing is another emerging area of concern, with Nokia mentioning the efforts of organisations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in developing strategies to counter potential threats from quantum computing.

Head of Security, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, Rodrigo Brito

Rodrigo Brito, Head of Security, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, emphasises the need for a collaborative approach to cybersecurity.

He states: "The use of Gen AI and automation for nefarious purposes is leading to a stepwise increase in malicious actors' capabilities and threat potential.

“The Threat Intelligence findings further reinforce the need for operators, vendors, and regulators to work more collaboratively to develop more robust network security measures, practices, and awareness."

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