According to two recent reports, there is a concerning gap between people’s awareness of cybersecurity threats and their actual level of preparedness. The reports highlight the increasing dangers posed by cyber threats, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) gives cybercriminals the ability to innovate at a faster pace than defenses can keep up with.
One report, the Identity & Cybersecurity Concerns Survey by Iris, reveals that individuals are cognizant of the risks associated with identity theft, compromised passwords, and fraud. However, despite these concerns, only 30 percent of respondents reported following all recommended cybersecurity practices. This discrepancy between awareness and action is particularly evident when it comes to AI, with 91 percent of respondents identifying AI as a significant threat to personal information. Yet, most individuals still feel only “somewhat secure” while using their digital devices, indicating a disconnect between knowledge and behavior.
The second report, Cybersecurity and the AI Threat Landscape by Delinea Labs, highlights how AI is not only accelerating existing cyber threats but completely transforming them. The report notes a significant increase in AI-generated phishing attempts, deepfake impersonations, and automated ransomware attacks. For example, phishing attempts spiked by over 200 percent in 2024, while deepfake attacks were occurring every five minutes worldwide. One striking incident involved a finance employee transferring $25 million after being deceived by a deepfake impersonation of their company’s CEO during a video call.
Despite the growing prevalence of cyber threats, the reports found that many consumers still rely on their banks or credit card companies rather than dedicated cybersecurity providers when faced with a data breach. This behavior underscores the need for trusted institutions to embed digital protection into the platforms consumers already use, bridging the accessibility gap and trust deficit.
Both reports emphasize the importance of simplifying cybersecurity solutions for consumers. The Chief Technology and Product Officer of Iris, Erik Nienaber, emphasized the need for seamless, integrated security that is built into daily workflows and systems consumers already use. This approach aligns with the recommendation in the Delinea report to adopt an identity-first security strategy and invest in advanced threat detection and continuous monitoring.
The reports also underscore the emotional toll of identity fraud on victims, with 93 percent reporting significant distress and over half describing the experience as more stressful than any previous event in their lives. Despite this, only 5 percent of victims received help from an identity protection provider, highlighting a significant underutilization of available support services.
In conclusion, the findings of both reports point to a fundamental shift in the cybersecurity landscape. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial for individuals, institutions, and organizations to adopt proactive defense strategies and invest in technologies that can preemptively combat emerging threats. By bridging the gap between awareness and action, society can better navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.