Dell security chief warns AI lowers barriers to sophisticated cyberattacks

Dell’s chief security officer says agentic AI tools are becoming cheap enough for lower-tier threat actors to launch complex attacks.

Threat Times Intrusion DeskOctober 20, 20262 min read

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Illustration: A small, unmarked desktop computer sits on a cluttered wooden desk next to a half-empty coffee mug. — AI-generated illustration: Threat Times

Key points

AI reduces the cost and skill required to execute advanced cyberattacks.
Dell participates in Anthropic’s Project Glasswing to secure critical systems.
Security teams must use AI agents to defend against AI-driven threats.

John Scimone, president and chief security officer of Dell Technologies Inc., warned that artificial intelligence is drastically lowering the barriers to entry for sophisticated cyberattacks. He made these remarks during an interview with Dave Vellante of theCUBE Research at the Dell Technologies New York Symposium, as reported by SiliconANGLE.

Scimone stated that while the traditional hierarchy of threat actors remains, the financial and technical hurdles have crumbled. Attackers can now obtain advanced capabilities cheaply, allowing lower-tier groups to wield tools previously reserved for nation-states or major criminal gangs. This shift means even the least sophisticated attacks will soon exceed the complexity of past incidents.

The Agentic AI Threat Landscape

The financial sector faces a dual challenge as institutions race to implement AI for data analysis while preparing for agentic AI-driven threats. Scimone noted that attacks are arriving at speeds and scales that render traditional security practices insufficient. The fundamental principles of identity and access management still apply, but the volume and velocity of threats require new defensive strategies.

He emphasized that cybersecurity professionals must leverage AI to defend against AI. This approach offers a significant opportunity to utilize these powerful capabilities for defensive purposes. Without adopting similar technologies, security teams may struggle to keep pace with the automated and rapid nature of modern attacks.

Impact on Security Operations

Dell is actively using frontier AI models to strengthen its own defenses. The company is a partner in Anthropic PBC’s Project Glasswing, which provides vetted organizations with access to powerful AI tools for securing critical systems. Scimone noted that the program has attracted new members and was recently integrated into a broader verification initiative.

This technology could be particularly beneficial for organizations that cannot afford large security teams. Scimone suggested that future security programs might consist of a single human operator managing thousands of AI agents. These agents would perform the roles of top security practitioners, providing scale and expertise that smaller companies could not otherwise hire or build internally.

What should you do?

Organizations should assess their current ability to detect and respond to automated threats. Security leaders need to evaluate whether their existing tools can handle the increased speed and scale of AI-driven attacks. Integrating AI into defensive operations may be necessary to maintain effective monitoring and response capabilities.

What to do and how to stay safe: Dell Technologies

Evaluate current security tools for their ability to handle high-volume, automated threats.
Review identity and access management protocols to ensure they remain effective against AI-driven attacks.
Investigate AI-based defensive solutions that can provide scale and expertise for smaller teams.
Monitor industry programs like Project Glasswing for emerging best practices in AI security.

Step-by-step guide: Social Engineering Warning Signs and How to Respond

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.