CSSA 2025: Protecting the human in an AI threat-driven world 

Artificial intelligence has become cybercriminals best friend. This ever-evolving tool can enhance cyber-attacks making it more sophisticated, harder to detect, and quicker to carry out. 

AI can identify potential targets, create customised attacks to exploit that target, and access data and systems without the owner being aware of it. AI continuously learns and adapts and can therefore be prompted to avoid security measures that exist to prevent detection. 

Even more worrying, is that cyberattacks are launched more frequently and at a faster pace. Research about potential targets is done faster and more accurately than before, with minimal human intervention. Attacks are therefore more personalised with relevant information that makes these attacks harder to identify.  

There is even more pressure on humans to be more alert and aware of communication that they receive. In particular 

  • social engineering attacks
  • fake profiles
  • videos, emails, text messages, audio, and photographs that contain false or biased information

First line of defence 

Humans remain the first line of defence and therefore play a crucial role in this ongoing fight against cybercriminals. However, there is a need for elements of AI to be included in incident response plans to more effectively manage potential cyberattacks. 

Cybercriminals will continue to flourish and carry out their targeted attacks. It is therefore up to each of us to equip ourselves with the necessary skills, understanding of the evolving situation, and collaboratively identify potential solutions that can be used to protect our digital assets. 

The Cyber Security Symposium Africa event aims to provide a safe space for those in the information and cybersecurity fields to discuss, debate, and work together to come up suitable incident response plans for various sectors. 

Experts are invited to share their experiences, expertise and lessons learned to guide these conversations.  

Join the conversation from 8 to 9 September 2025 as a participant, speaker, and sponsor.