Inflection Point: Agentic AI Executes Ransomeware Attack in Minutes

Remember when cyber-attacks took weeks or months to complete?

Those days are over.

Unit 42 just released research showing they can simulate a complete ransomware attack in 25 minutes using AI at every stage.

That’s a 100x speed increase.

👉 But here’s what really caught my attention: Unit 42 created something called “Agentic AI” that can run attacks without human help.

Think of it as a cyber-criminal that never sleeps, never makes mistakes, and learns from every attempt.

These AI agents don’t just follow a script. They make decisions, adapt when blocked, and keep trying until they succeed.

For example, if a phishing email gets ignored, the AI rewrites it in a different tone and sends it through Microsoft Teams instead. If one persistence method gets detected, it automatically switches to a backup plan.

The scariest part? These agents can work together like a team.

One AI handles reconnaissance, constantly watching for new employees or system changes. Another specializes in getting inside your network. A third focuses on staying hidden. Etc.

Unit 42 found real attackers already using pieces of this technology:

👉 Scattered Spider uses AI-generated audio and video to trick help desk staff

👉 North Korean workers use real-time deepfakes to get remote jobs at companies

👉 Ransomware groups use AI to negotiate higher payments by breaking language barriers

Our traditional approach of “patch faster, train better, detect quicker” won’t work against AI that operates at machine speed.

You need defenses that can keep up. That make you “hard to hack and fast to fix”.

But here’s the good news: The fundamental attack techniques haven’t changed. AI just makes them faster and more persistent.

Your security controls still matter. Your incident response plans still work. Your backup strategies are still critical.

The difference is you have minutes to respond. Not hours or days.

Because when an AI can complete a full attack during your lunch break, perfect prevention becomes impossible.

Will you be ready when they do?

What’s your plan for dealing with attacks that happen faster than humans can respond?

My suggestion: Create “multi-layered deception and honeypot networks”

Here’s how I explain it to my senior decision makers; feel free to use it:

“Multi-layered deception and honeypot networks act like a smart alarm system for our computers. We scatter fake files, fake passwords, and make-believe servers across our network. Real users never touch them, but attackers think they’re real and try. The moment someone pokes a decoy, we get an instant, high-confidence alert. Extra layers mean some traps are light, like a fake document, while others are full, working machines. This mix fools attackers longer, shows us their moves, and shields our real assets. It’s a low-risk, early warning tool that slows attackers without slowing normal business. No extra staff is needed.”

Click "comment" and tell me one thing you’re going to change.

I read every message you send me.

-Kip

P.S. Please forward this "Inflection Point" to someone you care about.

🟠🔵🟠🔵 Subscribe here! 🟠🔵🟠🔵

Current Podcast Episode: "Courts and Non-Deterministic Computing"

Is evidence from Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing devices legally admissible in court?

And how are courts actually handling this influx?

Let’s find out with your hosts Kip Boyle, CISO with Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC , and Jake Bernstein, CISSP, CIPP/US, Partner with K&L Gates.

Want to know how to quickly make your company a smaller target for cyber-attackers?

By the way…

Last Friday, we did a LinkedIn Live where I covered how to complete a Fast-Track BIA, BC, & DR using the NIST CSF Recover Function.

I wrote a 500-word article summarizing what we covered.

You'll also find a link to the live replay itself.

Kip Boyle is a husband, dad, entrepreneur, and experienced cyber risk manager. He founded Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC in 2015, after seven years as the CISO of PEMCO Insurance in Seattle. As a captain on active duty in the US Air Force, he served in the Combat Archer and F-22 Stealth Fighter programs where he was the director of enterprise network security. These days, he serves as virtual chief information security officer for many customers, including a professional sports team and fast-growing FinTech and AdTech companies. Over the years, Kip has built teams by interviewing hundreds of cybersecurity professionals. And now, he’s sharing his insider’s perspective with you!

👉 Connect with Kip on LinkedIn

👉 Visit Cyber Risk Opportunities

👉 Don't ever miss the opportunity for cyber resilience! Click subscribe to see our monthly newsletter in your inbox for your competitive business advantage.

Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205