During the European Cyber Security Month (ECSM) 2024, the Federal Office for Cyber Security (BACS) is focusing on the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyberattacks, particularly in social engineering. AI technology has enabled cybercriminals to impersonate others more convincingly by crafting realistic emails, voices, and images. The use of deepfake technology has made these attacks even more difficult to detect, allowing attackers to manipulate their victims more easily. BACS is raising awareness of these risks by educating the public on how AI is increasingly being used in malicious activities.
The BACS campaign, which begins on October 1, 2024, will run through the end of the month and aims to inform the public about the dangers of AI-assisted social engineering, especially deepfake technology. With support from organizations like “Jugend und Medien” and Ralph Landolt from Seniorweb.ch, the campaign will produce content tailored to different groups such as young people, professionals, and seniors. A key feature of the campaign will be a short video showing how easily cybercriminals can create a deepfake video using AI, which will serve as a wake-up call to the public about the dangers of these tools.
In addition to the video, the campaign will also feature an online brownbag lunch and an explanatory video aimed specifically at older audiences, helping them better understand the risks of deepfakes. More information will be made available on the BACS website, ensuring that a wide range of people can access relevant content about how to identify and respond to social engineering attacks powered by AI. The goal of the campaign is to educate and equip people with the knowledge to protect themselves from AI-driven cyber threats.
The European Cyber Security Month, organized by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) with support from EU member states, has chosen social engineering as the focal point for the 2024 campaign. This follows the success of the 2023 ECSM campaign, which also dealt with social engineering and received a positive response from the public. By bringing attention to the dangers of AI in cybercrime, BACS hopes to enhance public awareness and preparedness, which is crucial in combating the growing threats posed by cybercriminals using advanced AI technologies.
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