Copyright protected content copied from PhoneWorld website.
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are helping cybersecurity researchers discover software flaws that could lead to further global internet disruptions, experts have warned. The growing number of identified flaws is forcing companies and government organisations to strengthen their security systems to prevent cyberattacks.
According to seven cybersecurity professionals who spoke to Reuters, AI-driven vulnerability detection is likely to expose more weaknesses in widely used software. While finding these flaws can help developers improve security, it also creates pressure to fix them before cybercriminals exploit them.
Matthew Prince, chief executive of internet infrastructure company Cloudflare, said several serious vulnerabilities had already been identified in other critical software systems. He expects the coming months and years to bring more security challenges as AI uncovers weaknesses that have remained hidden for a long time.
Prince warned that organisations could face repeated security emergencies as developers discover and work to fix these problems.
PHP Vulnerabilities Cause Website Disruptions
The warning follows recent disruptions affecting government websites in Europe and other regions. The incidents came after researchers discovered vulnerabilities in PHP, a widely used programming language that powers a large number of websites.
Following the disclosures, website operators rushed to update their systems and address the security risks. Some organisations temporarily took their websites offline because they feared attackers could exploit the flaws before patches became available.
The incidents highlight the challenges organisations face when vulnerabilities affect widely used technologies. Even when security updates are available, applying them across complex systems can take time. Taking websites offline may become a temporary option when administrators believe they cannot secure their systems quickly enough.
AI Is Helping Researchers Find More Bugs
Research from Massachusetts-based cybersecurity intelligence firm VulnCheck indicates that the number of discovered software vulnerabilities has doubled year-on-year. The company attributes part of this increase to advances in AI and was preparing to publish its findings in the coming days, according to Reuters.
AI tools can help researchers examine software code, identify weaknesses and detect security problems that might otherwise remain unnoticed. This can allow developers to identify and fix flaws more quickly.
However, the same developments may also increase the workload for security teams. Organisations must assess newly discovered vulnerabilities, determine which systems are affected and apply appropriate fixes before attackers can take advantage of them.
Cybersecurity professionals expect this process to create more urgent patching efforts and operational challenges for businesses and public institutions.
Experts Divided Over the Risk of More Cyberattacks
Although experts agree that AI is helping uncover more software weaknesses, they do not share the same view on whether this will automatically result in more successful cyberattacks.
Finding a vulnerability does not necessarily mean that attackers can exploit it. The actual risk depends on factors such as the nature of the flaw, whether vulnerable systems are exposed to the internet and how quickly organisations apply security updates.
At the same time, the growing number of discoveries could give security teams less time to respond to each issue. If attackers learn about a vulnerability before an organisation fixes it, the chances of exploitation may increase.
The situation presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the cybersecurity industry. AI can strengthen digital security by helping researchers uncover weaknesses, but organisations must also respond to a faster flow of security threats.
See Also: Dark Web Exploitation in Pakistan: NCCIA Rescues 13-Year-Old Girl in Karachi
Organisations Face Growing Pressure to Improve Security
The latest developments underline the importance of regular software updates, vulnerability monitoring and effective incident response plans. Companies and government departments that rely on widely used software may need to review their systems more frequently as new flaws emerge.
Security teams will also need to prioritise vulnerabilities based on their severity and the potential damage they could cause. Promptly installing patches and monitoring systems for suspicious activity can help reduce the risk of exploitation.
As AI tools continue to improve, cybersecurity experts expect software developers and organisations to face increasing pressure to identify and address vulnerabilities before they cause widespread disruption.
The post AI-Discovered Software Flaws May Trigger More Global Disruptions, Experts Warn appeared first on PhoneWorld.