Cybercriminals are weaponizing AI agents to attack industries including healthcare, AI company Anthropic found.
Hackers are using agentic AI to carry out sophisticated cyberattacks, such as ransomware, that would have previously required years of training, according to the Aug. 27 report.
For instance, a cybercriminal employed Claude, Anthropic’s large language model, to extract data from 17 organizations over the previous month, including in healthcare. Using the “vibe hacking” technique, the threat actor interacted with the chatbot in real time while carrying out the attacks.
“The actor’s systematic approach resulted in the compromise of personal records, including healthcare data, financial information, government credentials, and other sensitive information, with direct ransom demands occasionally exceeding $500,000,” the report found.
In response, Anthropic said it banned the associated accounts, instituted additional security controls and “shared technical indicators with key partners to help prevent similar abuse across the ecosystem.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
