To the point: The greatest security risks do not stem from zero-day exploits, but from lack of asset visibility, behavior-based social engineering, and token compromise.
IT security experts identify three central, often underestimated threats in current discussions: unindexed legacy devices, AI-powered manipulation campaigns, and the abuse of compromised identity tokens. These vectors frequently bypass established defense mechanisms.
The security debate among IT experts reveals a consistent pattern: organizations systematically underestimate threats that do not stem from technical complexity, but from organizational gaps. The primary problem is insufficient visibility of their own infrastructure. Undocumented IT assets – smart thermostats, smart TVs in conference rooms, IP cameras – operate outside administrative control. These devices are not monitored by endpoint detection and response systems, receive no automated patches, and remain outdated for years.
A documented case illustrates the consequence: an attacker was only discovered through firewall log analysis. The affected device was not in the asset inventory – consequently, it was absent from EDR deployments, update cycles, and patch management. The attackers exploited the lack of visibility as a persistent access point.
A second attack vector is the scaling of social engineering through generative AI models. Classical phishing tests rely on standardized mass emails. What is new is highly personalized deception: attackers simulate company-specific communication patterns, tone, and internal trust structures. Human resources and time-stressed employees with low IT knowledge are particularly at risk. These AI-generated messages contain no malware attachments; instead, they persuade people to make fatal mistakes – traditional defense mechanisms do not work.
The third critical vector is the abuse of compromised identity tokens and federated authentication systems. Attackers shift their focus from malware injection to the takeover of legitimate accounts. Through token interception, vulnerabilities in identity services, or the compromise of service accounts, they bypass traditional perimeter defenses.
For CISOs, this means concretely: asset inventorying and patch management must include all devices, not just servers and workstations. Authentication and token hygiene require heightened attention. And awareness training must evolve from automated test scenarios to behavioral defenses.
Source: www.it-daily.net · Published 30 June 2026
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