Passwords and AI, Weak Spots Lead to Breaches, Aww...Ouch! A Name is Everything, Trojan Security, and Is it Really CERT-UA? It's CISO Intelligence for Friday 24th January 2025
Today's subjects: no, "password" won't do, even big dogs can be breached, don't be fooled by a cuddly-sounding label, won't someone think of the domain name, when security checks get phished, and cyber devils in disguise. Thank goodness it's Friday!

Table of Contents
- The Pass-word to Better Security: AI's List of What Not to Use
- Incident at Conduent: A Cybersecurity Mishap Unfolds
- PlushDaemon Mischief: When Plush Comes with a Punch
- How to Fix Your Domain Name Registrar Issues
- CAPTCHA Chronicles: When Telegram Tests Turn Malicious Traps
- You've Got Mail — From Fake CERT-UA!
The Pass-word to Better Security: AI's List of What Not to Use
Strong passwords are like good manners—too many people don’t have them.
What You Need to Know
Boards and executive management should be aware that a significant development in cybersecurity has emerged, leveraging AI technology to enhance password security. This innovation utilizes advanced algorithms to identify and exclude weak or common passwords, significantly enhancing security and mitigating password-related vulnerabilities. It is crucial to prioritize the integration of such AI-driven tools to safeguard sensitive information within your organization. The executive management is expected to support the adoption of AI in password management systems to enhance cybersecurity measures effectively.
CISO focus: Identity and Access Management
Sentiment: Positive
Time to Impact: Immediate
Cybersecurity Gets Sassy: Put AI to Work by Specifying Password Worst Practices with a Chatbot
In the ongoing battle against cyber threats, a bright new tool has emerged from an unlikely sidekick—AI chatbots. Recent developments have given businesses the ability to reinforce password security using AI-driven smart suggestions, providing immediate and impactful enhancements in protecting sensitive data.
The Golden Opportunity for Security
A significant concern in cybersecurity has been the sheer volume of weak or easily guessed passwords that put organizations at risk. Inspired by this challenge, cybersecurity experts have turned the tables, employing AI chatbots to not just generate secure passwords but to create a list of words you should never use. This counterintuitive approach turns AI tech on its head and promises drastic improvements in organizational security practices.
Why AI-Powered Password Exclusion Works
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AI's Predictive Ability: Leveraging vast datasets, AI systems identify patterns and commonalities in passwords, predicting which are overused and vulnerable.
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Regular Updates: These AI systems are self-learning. This means they continuously update their insights as fresh data is received, accommodating the ever-evolving landscape of digital security threats.
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User-Friendly Integration: Implementation of AI-driven password exclusion is remarkably user-friendly, allowing seamless integration with existing IT architectures. This means less time grappling with complex systems and more time enhancing security protocols.
The Power Players: Who Stands to Gain?
Both large and small enterprises can reap substantial benefits by employing AI-enhanced password practices. For large companies with thousands of users, the burden on IT systems to verify and reset passwords is monumental. By preemptively excluding weak passwords through smart AI suggestions, resources can be reallocated towards strategic security endeavors instead of mundane maintenance tasks.
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Small and Mid-sized Businesses: With typically limited cybersecurity resources, smaller entities can gain robust security coverage using the efficiency of AI.
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IT Administrators: By reducing the numbers of password breaches and resets, administrators can focus on more pressing security innovations.
Challenges: The Wet Blanket to Your Firework Celebration
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Initial Resistance: As with any technological advancement, resistance to change can be the first hurdle. Convincing skeptical IT staff to trust AI for password recommendations needs careful strategy and meticulous execution.
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Integrating Seamlessly: While theoretical integration sounds simple, real-world deployment often faces compatibility challenges across platforms, which demands technical finesse.
Taking the First Step: Quick Wins for You
To get immediately impactful benefits from AI in password security:
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Conduct Training Workshops: Educate employees and IT staff on how AI can enhance security and streamline password management.
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Pilot Program: Implement an AI-powered password exclusion list in a segment of the organization to showcase its efficiency before full-scale deployment.
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Feedback Loop: Establish a continual feedback loop to iteratively refine AI recommendations, ensuring they meet organizational security standards effectively.
Vendor Diligence Questions
- How does the AI exclude list integrate with our current password management systems?
- What is the frequency of updates and how adaptable is the solution to emerging cybersecurity threats?
- What evidence or case studies can you provide to demonstrate the efficacy of AI-driven password exclusion?
Action Plan
- Evaluate current password protocols and identify gaps where AI can provide immediate improvements.
- Engage a vendor experienced in AI-driven solutions to conduct a demo of how AI can enhance password security.
- Develop a timeline for pilot testing, followed by a phased roll-out across departments.
- Monitor performance metrics closely and adjust strategies based on data-driven insights.
Source: Use this AI chatbot prompt to create a password-exclusion list