Microsoft software runs on about 70% of the world’s computers, making it a prime target for cybercriminals who seem to love nothing more than to wreak havoc while sipping their morning coffee. With millions of businesses relying on Microsoft’s cloud services, security threats aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re fast becoming a full-blown digital battleground.
Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft’s VP of security, revealed that the company intercepted 30 billion phishing emails last year. That’s a number nearly impossible for the human brain to comprehend. To tackle the growing threat, Microsoft is rolling out AI agents designed to sift through suspicious emails, block hacking attempts, and trace cyberattacks back to their source. Unlike the more basic functions of your inbox’s spam filter, these AI agents are trained for carrying out serious digital detective work, at a rate that no human could.
What exactly is an AI agent?
If you’ve played around with AI tools like ChatGPT, you’re probably thinking of an AI assistant—something that answers questions or writes stuff. AI agents, on the other hand, are like the unsung heroes of automation. They can complete tasks on their own, without constant human supervision. Think digital security guards that can work round-the-clock to protect against complex threats.
Where’s the threat coming from?
Cybercrime is no longer reserved for balaclava-wearing masterminds in dark basements. Thanks to the dark web, even an amateur with a Wi-Fi connection (and a bit of tech knowledge) can get their hands on ready-made malware and phishing tools. Microsoft has seen a fivefold increase in hacking groups in recent times, and AI is even being used to generate malicious code. Cyber threats are evolving, and traditional security methods are struggling to keep up.
Where will these AI agents be deployed?
These AI agents aren’t here to personally guard your laptop, but they will be embedded into Microsoft’s AI-powered security tools, including CoPilot. Designed for IT providers and security teams, they’ll analyse patterns in vast amounts of data, flag suspicious emails faster than any human ever could, and generally make life harder for cybercriminals.
What does all this mean for the security of small businesses?
Small businesses aren’t off the hook. They’re actually often prime targets because they tend to have fewer security measures in place. Hackers know this, which is why stronger cyber defenses are essential for businesses of all sizes.
If you’re not sure how secure your systems are, now is the time to find out. We work with small businesses to strengthen their IT security—without the unnecessary tech jargon. If you’d rather protect your business against modern threats than spend time deciphering IT buzzwords, get in touch.
Further reading: Is Cyber Essentials certification in your IT strategy?
