Executive Summary
Only 11% of SMBs use AI-powered defences despite concern about AI phishing, deepfake fraud and automated vulnerability discovery.
What Happened
Security Magazine reports that only 11% of small and mid-sized businesses are using AI-powered cybersecurity defenses, despite increasing concern about AI-enabled attacks.[16] Surveyed organizations expressed worries about AI-driven phishing, deepfake fraud, and automated vulnerability discovery, but most have yet to deploy AI-based security tools to counter these threats.[16]
Vulnerability / Attack Technique
AI-enabled attacks (survey)
Technical Mechanism
Survey findings.
AI Security Category
AI-assisted attack
Part of the AI-Assisted Attacks topic.
RealGround Analysis
SMBs see the threat but have not adapted defences.
Recommended Controls
- Use verification steps against deepfake fraud
Related RealGround Service
AI CISO Advisory · or start with the free AI Agent Security Scanner.
Sources
Security Magazine: https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/101610-only-11-of-smbs-are-utilizing-ai-powered-defenses
Summary and analysis written by RealGround from the source above; last updated 2026-10-18.