Phishing has long been a serious threat to businesses—cybercriminals send emails or messages that trick people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware, often causing financial loss or damaging a company’s reputation. But now, there’s a new twist: phishing attacks are getting a boost from artificial intelligence (AI), making them harder to spot and even more dangerous.
With AI in the mix, phishing scams are becoming more convincing, more targeted, and more frequent. That’s why it’s more important than ever for businesses to stay informed and proactive. In this article, we’ll walk through how phishing is evolving in the age of AI, what risks it poses, and what you can do to protect your organization.
Phishing in the Age of AI: What’s Changed?
Traditional phishing emails were often full of red flags—spelling mistakes, generic greetings, or awkward wording. But with AI, cybercriminals can now craft polished, personalized messages that look and sound legitimate.
AI-powered attacks can be more targeted, too. For instance, criminals might use “spear phishing” to go after a specific individual, or use business email compromise (BEC) tactics to impersonate a company executive and request money or sensitive information. These scams are harder to recognize—and more dangerous.
How AI Is Powering a New Generation of Phishing Attacks
Here’s how AI is changing the phishing game:
Hyper-Personalized Messages
AI can quickly scan public data—like social media, websites, and online records—to create messages that feel authentic. It can even mimic someone’s writing style or voice, refer to recent events or purchases, and generate realistic videos or audio clips that are tough to question.
More Attacks, Faster
AI allows hackers to create thousands of unique phishing emails in just minutes. The more messages they send, the more likely someone will take the bait.
Evasion of Traditional Defences
These sophisticated messages often slip past standard email filters and traditional security systems. If your organization is still relying on outdated defences, you could be exposed.
What’s at Stake for Businesses?
The consequences of an AI-powered phishing attack can be severe. Businesses may face:
- Financial loss from fraudulent wire transfers, fake invoices, or stolen data.
- Operational disruption as teams work to recover from a breach.
- Strained IT resources, especially with the rise of remote work and unapproved tech (known as “shadow IT”).
- Long-term reputation damage, especially if customer data is compromised.
Employees may also be overwhelmed by a higher volume of increasingly believable scam messages, increasing the odds of a successful attack.
How Businesses Can Protect Themselves
The good news? There are proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Invest in Smarter Security Tools
Use advanced anti-phishing solutions that include AI-powered detection. These tools can help catch suspicious language, behavior patterns, and unusual requests. Be sure to rotate encryption keys and login credentials regularly to keep your systems secure.
Secure Email and User Accounts
Use strong, unique passwords and require multifactor authentication. Implement email authentication protocols, spam filters, and firewalls. Even with AI in the picture, old-school vigilance—like checking for strange links or unexpected attachments—still matters.
Educate and Empower Your Team
Provide regular cybersecurity training to help employees spot phishing attempts. Run simulations so they can practice identifying scams. Make it easy and safe for employees to double-check unusual requests and report suspicious messages.
Have Clear Policies and a Response Plan
Put clear data protection and security policies in place, and make sure everyone understands them. Update them regularly to address new threats. And make sure you have an incident response plan so your team knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Combine Human Insight with AI Tools
The best approach uses both human judgment and smart technology. AI tools can flag suspicious activity, while your team can provide critical context and decision-making. Together, they can form a stronger, more adaptive defence system.
AI may be helping cybercriminals up their game—but your business can stay one step ahead. By understanding the threat, investing in the right tools, and empowering your team, you can strengthen your defences and reduce the risk of falling victim to these evolving scams.
Have questions or want to know more? Contact us today to talk about how you can keep your business secure.