CrowdStrike Reports 89% Increase in Attacks by AI-Enabled Adversaries – MeriTalk
CrowdStrike Reports 89% Increase in Attacks by AI-Enabled Adversaries – MeriTalk
Publish Date: 2026-02-25 15:15:00
Source Domain: www.meritalk.com
- The report from cybersecurity services provider CrowdStrike highlights an alarming 89% year-over-year increase in AI-enabled cyberattacks.
- AI-driven attacks not only target but also utilize generative AI tools manipulated by adversaries to steal credentials and cryptocurrency.
- Adversaries have exploited vulnerabilities in AI development platforms to maintain access, deploy ransomware, and set up fake AI servers to capture sensitive data.
- There is a significant reduction in the time it takes for attackers to move laterally within systems, dropping to 29 minutes on average, a 65% increase from the previous year.
- CrowdStrike emphasizes that 82% of detections were malware-free, highlighting the tactics of attackers using trusted systems and pathways to evade detection.
- Activity linked to actors connected to the People’s Republic of China rose by 38%, with a large portion targeting internet-facing edge devices.
- CrowdStrike warns that defending against AI-accelerated threats and securing AI systems requires operations at machine speed.
- The findings are particularly relevant as federal agencies and industry partners are pushing for expanded AI adoption in line with the president’s AI Action Plan.
