Daniel Tobok On The Evolution Of Threat Actors And Their Growing Addiction To Creating Digital Havoc

Cybercrime has become one of the most pressing issues in the digital world. As peoples' lives become increasingly interconnected, cybercriminals are evolving and becoming more advanced in their attacks. Many are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies to enhance their attacks. 

The financial impact of these situations can be massive — Cybercrime costs the global economy an estimated $8 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. The rise of AI has accelerated the sophistication of cyber threats, making it the “great accelerator of threat levels” for those concerned about digital security.

While the general public's interaction with digital threats is often limited to social media, banking, and email security, corporations face much higher risks. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and intellectual property theft can jeopardize company finances while also damaging reputations and stakeholder trust.

"The days of cybercrime being limited to underground forums and lone individuals are long gone. Today, we're seeing an industry fueled by financial incentives, state-sponsored attacks, and increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threats," says Daniel Tobok, CEO of CYPFER. "AI is the smartest tool for cybercriminals—it learns behaviors, patterns, and predictive tendencies, allowing for precision-targeted attacks. AI will be the great accelerator of threat levels for people concerned about cyber safety."

Hacking is often described as addictive, and for good reason. The motivations behind cybercrime vary, but the psychological and external factors that drive threat actors to continue their activities are strikingly similar across different groups. Financial gain is a primary driver, with ransomware attacks, data breaches, and fraud schemes generating billions in illicit revenue.

The dark web facilitates the anonymous sale of stolen data, thus making cybercrime a low-risk, high-reward endeavor for many. Others are drawn to cybercrime for the thrill and prestige, finding excitement in the challenge and status it affords within underground communities. 

As cyber threats continue transforming, individuals and corporations must shift from reactive cybersecurity measures to proactive digital risk management. Daniel Tobok, a founding thought leader in cybersecurity, has championed the concept of Cyber Certainty™, a framework designed to anticipate and neutralize cyber threats before they occur.

"Cybersecurity is about reacting to threats after they happen, but Cyber Certainty™ is about building defenses before an attack can even take place," says Tobok. "It's about being digitally diligent and cyber sensitive—creating an infrastructure that doesn't just respond to threats but actively prevents them."

For businesses, this means implementing zero-trust security models, continuously monitoring for vulnerabilities, and leveraging AI-driven threat detection systems. For individuals, it means adopting better password hygiene, enabling multi-factor authentication, and staying informed about evolving cyber threats.

As AI continues to develop, cybercriminals will gain access to more powerful tools that enable them to launch attacks with unprecedented speed and precision. Deepfake technology, AI-driven phishing campaigns, and automated hacking tools will make cyber threats even more difficult to detect and counteract.

"We are more digitally connected than ever before. As a result, exposure levels are rising across the board," says Tobok. "Organizations and individuals alike need to rethink their cybersecurity approach—not just from a defensive standpoint, but from a strategic, long-term perspective."

Cybercrime will not be going away any time soon; it will continually evolve. The only way to stay ahead is to understand the motivations behind cybercriminal activity, embrace proactive security measures, and cultivate a culture of Cyber Certainty™ in both personal and professional digital environments.

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.