According to the FBI, cybercrime cost victims globally more than $16 billion in 2024. And this amount is projected to increase in 2025 and beyond.

One of the top cybersecurity experts in the industry, Keren Elazari, says businesses need to adapt and evolve like hackers if they want to keep their money and data safe in the age of malicious innovations.

Here are just a few of the malicious innovations businesses need to worry about.

Malicious Innovations:

1) Ransomware as a service (RaaS)

Hacking has turned into a service industry. You can go on the dark web and buy ransomware software and pay a commission for its use. According to Elazari, more than one billion dollars was paid to gangs in 2024 through ransomware attacks.

2) Malicious GenAI models and frameworks 

GenAI is not only helping legitimate coders code. Hackers can now go to websites like WormGPT and have the app write malware for them in Python. Or they can go to sites like PredatorAI, which can help them with software preconfigured to attack cloud and web applications.

3) Intermittent Encryption

No, this isn’t a dieting technique. Hackers have found a new way to evade detection by using intermittent encryption, where they only partially encrypt files. 

4) Affiliate Recruitment

Hacking is all about collaboration these days. Generation Z hackers are currently being recruited on gaming websites to work with Russian cybercrime gangs. They are working together to take down sites like MGM and get paid.

So, what can your company do to stay secure in this golden age of cybercrime?

How to Adapt and Evolve:

1) Use automation and AI to augment.

Hackers are already using AI and automation tools to take down your networks. This is why you need to use the same tools to safeguard against them. You need to train a future-ready workforce to use automation and AI tools to anticipate threats before they happen.

2) Adopt the hacker perspective.

Hackers can be your worst enemy and your best friend. You need to adopt the hacker mindset to protect your company’s assets. Elazari suggests collaborating with friendly hackers through bug bounty programs and threat hunting to find and fix your vulnerabilities.

3) Invest in visibility.

You can’t protect what you can’t see. You have to understand your own networks to understand your vulnerabilities. Elazari suggests you use a scanning device to explore your networks.

If you would like to learn more about how to protect your company, contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau to book Keren Elazari or another cybersecurity speaker.

For more on cybersecurity, read: 

Keren Elazari: How to Stay Safe from Online Spies

How Will AI Affect Your Cybersecurity?