Deepfakes & Autonomous Attacks: Agentic AI in Social Engineering

Recent advancements in AI have not only refined phishing but also introduced a new threat vector: agentic AI. This evolution allows cybercriminals to conduct autonomous, self-improving attacks that adapt over time.

Key Points:

• Realistic Deepfakes: Cybercriminals now use deepfake tools to create fake virtual personas and realistic audio clones of trusted figures—such as senior executives or key partners. These convincing forgeries can trick employees into revealing confidential information or authorizing unauthorized transactions.

  
  

• Agentic AI Capabilities: Unlike traditional AI, which relies on static prompts, agentic AI possesses memory and adaptive learning. It can autonomously harvest social media data, craft bespoke phishing messages, and even refine its tactics based on previous interactions. This means that every subsequent attack can be more tailored and harder to detect.

  
  

• Dynamic & Multi-Stage Campaigns: With the ability to update messaging in real time, agentic AI may adjust its pitch based on recipients’ responses, local events, or holidays. Such campaigns can span multiple stages, where information gathered in early interactions guides follow-up attacks, making defenses increasingly challenging.

Takeaway: The rise of agentic AI signals a major shift in threat dynamics. Organizations must remain vigilant and update their security frameworks to address these fast-evolving risks.