Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks easier by exposing digital weaknesses, according to the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Encode, a cybersecurity firm. The warning comes as Nigerian businesses face a growing threat landscape where AI tools enable even low-skilled attackers to identify and exploit vulnerabilities at scale.
AI Lowers the Barrier to Entry for Cybercriminals
Speaking at a cybersecurity conference in Lagos, the CEO explained that AI-powered scanning tools can now automatically detect unpatched systems, misconfigured servers, and weak passwords across entire networks. This automation reduces the time and expertise required to launch a successful attack, making cybercrime more accessible than ever.
The CEO emphasized that AI is a double-edged sword. While it helps defenders predict and respond to threats faster, it also gives attackers the ability to craft highly convincing phishing emails and deepfake audio or video content, bypassing traditional security awareness training.
Nigerian Businesses Face Increased Threat Exposure
Digital Encode's warning aligns with recent reports showing a surge in cyber incidents in Nigeria's financial, telecommunications, and public sectors. The CEO urged organizations to move beyond basic antivirus and firewall protections, adopting AI-driven security operations centers that can analyze millions of data points in real time.
He also stressed the importance of employee training, noting that human error remains a leading cause of breaches. "With AI, a single careless click can compromise an entire network," he said. "Organizations must invest in continuous security awareness and proactive threat hunting."
Call for Regulatory and Collaborative Response
The CEO called on regulators and industry peers to share threat intelligence and develop standards for AI use in cybersecurity. He highlighted the need for Nigeria to build local expertise in AI and cybersecurity to reduce reliance on foreign vendors.
As AI continues to evolve, the CEO warned that the gap between attackers and defenders will widen unless companies prioritize security in their digital transformation strategies. He concluded that the time to act is now, as the cost of a breach far outweighs the investment in prevention.
