Artificial intelligence is reshaping the situation of email threats and increasing both risk and opportunity for defenders. Kevin Leusing, chief technist in the EMEA region of Proofpoint, said that attackers used AI to create compelling phishing messages that avoid traditional clues like poor grammar and questionable URLs.
reference: If identity protection fails: Rethinking the resilience of modern threat landscapes
Defensive AI relies on machine learning and natural language processing to analyze intent and detect anomalies. The model can reveal hidden signs such as tone urgency, login prompts, or requests to click on links that appear legitimate. Organizations also need to deploy strong controls, clear policies and monitoring tools to minimize exposure.
“On the defensive side, you have to look at what the message is, not just what it's intent is, and AI can help with that,” Leusing said.
In this video interview with the Information Security Media Group of Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, Leusing discussed:
- Shadow AI challenges and data security risks.
- Discover zero-day attacks with abnormality detection.
- Build resilience by sharing knowledge with your peers.
Leusing has over 30 years of experience across enterprise technology, cybersecurity and compliance. At Proofpoint, he leads local strategies and aligns security and regulatory solutions with business goals. He previously worked for SendMail, Voltage Security and IBM.
About the author
A highly experienced broadcast journalist, Delaney interviews senior cybersecurity leaders around the world. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of the European Information Security Summit, or the Tayce website. Previously she worked for Levant TV and Resonance FM and served as a researcher in the BBC and ITV documentary and factual television departments.
