Survey Shows AI-Driven Cyber Threats Surge in Australia

A Fortinet survey reveals a significant rise in AI-powered cyber threats in Australia, with 51% of organizations experiencing such attacks in the past year. The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly defined by constant risk rather than episodic crises, resulting in considerable financial and operational impacts. However, resource constraints and low investment in cybersecurity remain pressing issues for businesses trying to fortify their defenses.

A recent survey from Fortinet shows a pronounced increase in cyber threats powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in Australia and the broader Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Conducted by IDC, the findings indicate that many organizations are struggling to keep up with these AI-enabled attacks, which have become faster and more intricate, challenging the capabilities of cybersecurity teams. These developments signal a significant shift in the threat landscape, moving towards vulnerabilities in visibility and governance that are tougher to manage than ever before.

According to the survey, almost 51 percent of Australian organizations reported experiencing AI-driven cyber threats in the last year. The speed with which these threats are escalating is alarming; 76 percent noted a doubling in incidents while 16 percent revealed a tripling. This new breed of cyber threats utilizes AI to improve stealth and efficiency, taking advantage of common human errors or system configurations. Malware that adapts to environments and AI-enhanced social engineering tactics, such as deepfake impersonation, are rising concerns in this reality.

Despite these alarming statistics, only about a third of organizations express high confidence in their ability to fend off such sophisticated threats. A worrying 15 percent of respondents confessed that their detection systems are lagging behind, creating a palpable gap in readiness. This highlights a pressing challenge: a landscape filled with constantly evolving threats which are harder to spot and combat.

In fact, the cybersecurity environment has transitioned from episodic incidents to a perpetual state of risk. Australian organizations report seeing a variety of threats, including denial of service attacks (60 percent), cloud vulnerabilities (59 percent), and software supply chain attacks (59 percent). Surprisingly, the most damaging threats often hide in plain sight—unaddressed vulnerabilities can cause significant destruction while avoiding detection.

Threats are increasing at a rapid pace. Ransomware attacks have surged by 20 percent, with significant rises in supply chain and denial of service attacks also noted. Many organizations face grave repercussions from these attacks—from data breaches and privacy violations to the loss of customer trust, which can have long-lasting impacts. More than half of organizations surveyed incurred direct financial losses linked to security breaches.

When it comes to addressing these challenges, cybersecurity teams in Australia seem to be under tremendous strain. The amount of resources dedicated to cybersecurity is minimal, often less than 1 percent of total revenue. Shockingly, it averages about 7 percent of the total workforce dedicated to IT, with only 13 percent of that focused on cybersecurity itself. A dedicated chief information security officer (CISO) is often absent, which complicates oversight further; around 63 percent of organizations combine these roles.

Yet, budgets for cybersecurity are slowly on the rise. While there’s a reported increase in investment from 80 percent of organizations, most of this growth is under 10 percent—a small commitment considering the increasing threats. There’s a visible shift towards risk-based security strategies, looking to address threats more fundamentally rather than just through infrastructure upgrades.

A significant takeaway from the survey is the emergence of a convergence between networking and security strategies. Over 90 percent of the respondents are in various stages of this consolidation process, with approximately 74 percent already actively engaged in it. However, managing these tools remains a key challenge. Organizations are searching for vendor consolidation to streamline operations and enhance security effectiveness.

As cyber threats become more complex, the essential need for organizations to develop adaptable defenses is more crucial than ever. Fortinet emphasizes the importance of shifting towards AI-powered systems that can grow and evolve with the threat landscape. Such a proactive stance is necessary in an era where cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated and persistent.

About the survey: In early 2025, IDC surveyed 550 IT and security leaders in 11 Asia-Pacific markets—including Australia—and the findings are detailed in a new report that highlights the state of cybersecurity in the region.

About Fortinet: A frontrunner in cybersecurity, Fortinet aims to protect devices, data, and networks, leveraging an extensive portfolio of powerful security solutions. More than half a million customers rely on their offerings for comprehensive protection against an evolving threat landscape.

The Fortinet survey underscores a dire and evolving cybersecurity threat landscape across Australia and the APAC region. AI-driven attacks are escalating in complexity and frequency, forcing organizations to confront vulnerabilities they weren’t equipped for. As threats become a constant rather than a crisis, the need for robust, integrated security systems grows more urgent. Without adequate resources and a strategic approach, many organizations risk falling behind in this perpetual battle against cybercrime.

Original Source: itwire.com