Setcor Blitz questions – Vedran Vujasinović

AI as a weapon: The number of cyber attacks in Croatia is increasing, how to protect yourself?

How many cyber attacks were there in Croatia last year and what are the most common forms of these attacks?

Last year, the police in Croatia discovered and criminally reported a total of 1,688 cyberattacks, which represents an increase of 9.61% compared to 2022. He would point out that the most common forms of cybercrime included phishing and scams. Phishing attacks are often carried out through e-mails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources with the aim of tricking users into revealing their sensitive information. Scam attacks, also most often via e-mail, try to induce victims to act in favor of fraudsters.

What is the awareness of cyber security among citizens and companies in Croatia?

Although awareness is increasing, it is still not sufficiently developed. Citizens often underestimate the risks and do not follow basic security measures, such as regularly updating software and using strong passwords. Companies often do not invest enough in technical security measures and employee education. The most common mistakes include using weak passwords, not updating the system enough, and carelessly opening e-mails or links from unknown sources.

What is needed for a successful fight against cybercrime in Croatia?

Cooperation between the private sector, public institutions and cyber security experts is essential for a successful fight. There are numerous projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening security, such as the National CERT, providing support in the event of cyber incidents and working to improve the computer security of information systems. Regular trainings and conferences, such as Setcor XDay, help to raise awareness and improve cooperation among different participants.

What steps can citizens and businesses take to protect themselves from cyberattacks?

Citizens and businesses can take several key steps to protect themselves from cyberattacks:

• Regular education on cyber security and the latest threats.
• Use of complex passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Regular updating of operating systems and all applications.
• Regular creation of backup copies of data.
• Installation of technical solutions with advanced features such as reducing the surface area exposed to attacks using AI, EDR functionality, and solutions for web and mail security.

Unfortunately, regular updating of traditional antivirus programs is no longer enough.

How is artificial intelligence used in cyberattacks and defenses against them?

Hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) for cyberattacks because it allows them to automate and optimize them, making them more efficient and harder to detect. AI tools can be used to automate phishing, analyze security vulnerabilities, evade detection and create deepfake content. On the other hand, AI is also used to defend against cyberattacks because it can recognize patterns in traffic and behavior that indicate possible threats and automatically take measures to prevent them. Advanced antivirus and intrusion detection systems use machine learning to identify and block malicious activity.