Debunking the AI Hype: Inside Real Hacker Tactics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a buzzword in cybersecurity discussions, with many experts and media outlets hyping its transformative role in reshaping the cyber threat landscape. However, recent data from Picus Labs’ Red Report 2025 presents a more grounded and realistic picture. Despite the excitement surrounding AI’s potential, the findings suggest that the rise of AI-driven cyberattacks is not as rapid or widespread as often portrayed. Instead, traditional hacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) remain dominant in current cyberattacks. This article explores the gap between AI-driven expectations and the reality of cybersecurity threats, offering insights into the most prevalent tactics still in use by cyber adversaries.

Summary

The Picus

What Undercode Says:

Undercode’s perspective aligns with the growing consensus in the cybersecurity field: the hype around AI in hacking is currently outpacing its practical application. For years, media outlets and industry influencers have predicted a revolution in cybersecurity threats driven by AI. While AI holds undeniable potential in cybersecurity—both for defending and attacking—the reality is far more complex and incremental. Traditional TTPs still hold sway in most cyberattacks. The findings from the Picus Labs report highlight the resilience of older methods, despite the of sophisticated AI tools. For example, phishing remains one of the most used techniques in cybercrime, relying on human errors rather than cutting-edge AI exploits.

What is clear from this analysis is that cybersecurity professionals must maintain a focus on addressing these fundamental risks. Cyber defenses are built on the assumption that adversaries will exploit human vulnerabilities and established flaws in software. AI may play a role in streamlining these attacks, but it has yet to drastically alter the dynamics of how breaches occur. What’s more, AI in its current form is still highly dependent on human guidance and intervention, which means its application in real-world hacking campaigns has yet to reach the level of automation and sophistication that many fear.

Cybersecurity teams must continue to combat both traditional and new threats. Basic defense measures like regular updates, endpoint security, and phishing awareness training remain critical. At the same time, there is value in monitoring emerging AI-driven trends, as they could evolve into a larger threat down the line. However, for now, the focus should be on the immediate and tangible risks.

In conclusion, while AI’s role in cybersecurity should not be ignored, it is important to keep in mind that the threats we face today are still rooted in tried-and-true techniques. Rather than being swept up in the frenzy of AI hype, organizations should continue to focus on securing their networks from the threats that are most likely to succeed in the present. AI may be the future of cyber warfare, but for now, its impact remains a work in progress.

References:

Reported By: https://thehackernews.com/search?updated-max=2025-02-20T10:06:00%2B05:30&max-results=11
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