Another Crazy Day in AI: How Cybercriminals Think Like Spies (And How to Stop Them)
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
An FBI operative on the real face of modern cyber threats
New laws target AI companions in two states
Meta stock climbs after AI model launch
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Inside the Mind of a Cyber Spy with Eric O'Neill
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What if the biggest cyber threat today isn’t a hacker… but something closer to a trained spy?
In the recent episode of Sidecar Sync, host Mallory Mejias sits down with Eric O'Neill—former FBI undercover operative, attorney, and cybersecurity expert—for a conversation that reframes everything you think you know about digital threats. Eric, whose real-life operation to catch infamous Russian spy Robert Hanssen inspired the film Breach, breaks down how modern cybercrime has evolved from lone-wolf hacking into a sophisticated, spy-grade global industry. He explains why smaller organizations like associations are often the easiest marks, how artificial intelligence is supercharging attacks like phishing and deepfakes, and what practical steps any leader can take today to build a stronger defense.
Some of the ground this episode covers:
Cybercrime is now the third-largest economy in the world, generating over $12 trillion annually through the dark web
Today's cybercriminals are trained and organized, operating more like intelligence operatives than lone hackers
The Robert Hanssen case shows how an insider threat can go undetected for decades when trust is never questioned
AI has made sophisticated attacks—phishing, deepfakes, automated reconnaissance—far more accessible than before
Smaller organizations are frequently targeted, and basic protections like two-factor authentication are often never set up
Eric's PAID framework—Prepare, Assess, Investigate, Decide—offers a counterintelligence-rooted approach any organization can follow
A fractional CISO is a practical option for teams that need security guidance without a full-time hire
Social engineering targets people, not systems—awareness and skepticism remain essential
Quantum computing's potential to break current encryption is already on the radar of security and intelligence communities
Most organizations don't find out their defenses were inadequate until something goes wrong. A lot of what Eric describes throughout this episode points to a pattern that tends to repeat—threats that were underestimated, warnings that went unheeded, and basic protections that were skipped over because the risk never felt real enough to act on.
The mechanics of these attacks are worth understanding on their own terms, separate from any particular solution or product. The more clearly an organization can see how these threats are built and executed, the better positioned it is to make decisions that actually hold up.
Watch the full podcast here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
New Laws Target AI Companions In Two States
/Brian D. Buckley, (Partner), Damon Elder, (Partner), and Elianna Spitzer, (Associate), on Morgan Lewis’ LawFlash
Washington and Oregon are rolling out new laws that place strict requirements on AI companions, especially those designed for emotionally engaging interactions. Companies will need to clearly disclose when users are talking to AI, implement safeguards for minors, and introduce crisis detection systems for sensitive situations like self-harm. With private rights of action and potential financial penalties, the stakes for non-compliance are high. Businesses now have until 2027 to reassess their AI systems and prepare for a much more regulated landscape.
Read more here.
Meta Stock Climbs After AI Model Launch
/Antonio Pequeño IV, Staff, on Forbes
Meta’s latest AI model, Muse Spark, is driving renewed investor confidence as the company pushes to compete with industry leaders like OpenAI and Google. The model promises similar capabilities to earlier systems but with lower computing demands, signaling a more efficient approach to AI development. Its release marks a major step under new AI leadership and follows earlier setbacks in benchmarking against rivals. With billions pouring into AI investments, Meta is clearly doubling down on its push to stay competitive in the fast-moving AI race.
Check it out here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
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