Bulgaria Launches National AI-Based Cyber Defense System

In the era of full digitalization, information is becoming the most valuable yet most vulnerable resource. Given this reality, Bulgaria is launching a project to create a national cybersecurity system that will rely entirely on artificial intelligence (AI).

This was announced by Simeon Kartselianski, Head of the "Cyber Defense and Information Security" Department at "Information Services," during the Green Transition Forum 6.0 in Sofia. According to him, AI is already a primary weapon in the arsenal of hacker groups, including those acting in the interest of foreign states.

A "Cat and Mouse Game" with Hackers

Kartselianski emphasized that malicious actors are using AI to generate phishing campaigns, fake websites, and complex software infrastructure in just minutes. This speed and scale require a corresponding technological power from the defenders.

"The new system will provide us with a better view of the cyber surface, allow for cyber intelligence, file verification, and automated response during attacks against the state and key Bulgarian companies," he explained.

Main Risks: Insider Threats and Ransomware

During the discussion, two main types of threats were outlined:

• Insider threats: These include both intentional actions by instructed employees and the unintentional compromise of access through personal devices or public networks.
• Ransomware attacks: A continued rise in extortion attacks is predicted, as the digitalization of services creates centralized points with vast amounts of valuable information that are attractive to financially motivated groups.

One of the most critical attack vectors is supply chain attacks, where malicious code is embedded through legitimate software updates, affecting various infrastructures on a massive scale.

In conclusion, experts urge organizations to use the tools of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) to assess the risks in the hardware and software they use, in order to minimize vulnerabilities in their systems.