Fortinet, a global cybersecurity leader, was referenced in a Sapio Research report highlighting systemic vulnerabilities across enterprises adopting AI-driven security tools. The study revealed that **86% of surveyed organizations (including Fortinet’s clients/partners) experienced one or more data breaches in 2024**, primarily due to **skill gaps in security awareness (56%)**, **lack of IT security training (54%)**, and **insufficient cybersecurity products (50%)**. While Fortinet itself wasn’t directly breached, the report underscored its ecosystem’s exposure to **AI-exploited attacks**, where cybercriminals leverage AI to bypass defenses, exacerbating risks like **misinformation, surveillance, and privacy violations (47% concern)**. The breaches—though not detailed—align with broader trends of **employee negligence, phishing, or unpatched vulnerabilities**, leading to **potential leaks of internal/customer data or financial reputational damage**. Fortinet’s response emphasizes upskilling (e.g., certifications for 62% of breach-affected firms) and AI integration, but the **lack of expert staff (48%)** remains a critical gap, amplifying attack surfaces for partners/clients using its platforms.
Source: https://www.dice.com/career-advice/ai-data-breaches-driving-need-for-more-skilled-cybersecurity-pros
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/fortinet
"id": "for3202332101525",
"linkid": "fortinet",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "6/2024",
"severity": "60",
"impact": "3",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with internal employee data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Multiple (Including Technology, Finance, '
'Healthcare, etc.)',
'location': 'Global (29 countries, including U.S.)',
'name': 'Global Enterprises (1,850 surveyed)',
'type': ['Private Companies', 'Public Organizations']}],
'attack_vector': ['Lack of Security Awareness (56%)',
'Lack of IT Security Skills/Training (54%)',
'Insufficient Cybersecurity Products (50%)',
'AI Exploitation (e.g., Prompt Injection, Misinformation)'],
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2024-10-08',
'description': 'A report by Sapio Research and Fortinet highlights that 97% '
'of global enterprises use or plan to deploy AI-driven '
'security tools, but 48% cite a lack of AI expertise as the '
'biggest challenge. The study, based on 1,850 IT/cybersecurity '
'decision-makers across 29 countries, reveals that 86% of '
'organizations experienced one or more data breaches in 2024, '
'primarily due to workforce skill gaps (e.g., 56% lack '
'security awareness, 54% lack IT security skills/training, 50% '
'lack cybersecurity products). Executives emphasize the need '
'for upskilling, certifications, and cross-functional '
'collaboration to address AI-driven threats like prompt '
'injection and misinformation. The cybersecurity job market '
'remains robust, with over 500,000 open U.S. positions, 10% '
'requiring AI knowledge.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': ['Erosion of Trust Due to Repeated '
'Breaches',
'Perception of Inadequate Security '
'Measures'],
'operational_impact': ['Increased Breach Frequency (86% of orgs in '
'2024)',
'Heightened Risk Due to Skill Shortages '
'(67%)',
'Reactive Cybersecurity Posture']},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': ['Phishing (Likely)',
'Exploited AI Tools',
'Unpatched Systems Due to Skill '
'Gaps'],
'high_value_targets': ['Sensitive Data',
'AI Training Datasets',
'Intellectual Property']},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (Industry-Wide Analysis)',
'lessons_learned': ['AI enhances security roles (87%) but requires upskilling '
'to mitigate risks like prompt injection.',
'Skill shortages (48% AI expertise, 47% data privacy) '
'directly correlate with breach frequency (86% in 2024).',
'Proactive cybersecurity (training, certifications) '
'reduces operational risks and improves resilience.',
'Cross-functional collaboration (AI + security teams) is '
'critical for addressing evolving threats.'],
'motivation': ['Financial Gain',
'Data Theft',
'Disruption of Operations',
'Exploitation of AI Systems'],
'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': ['Expand certification '
'programs (e.g., Fortinet, '
'Noma Security).',
'Integrate AI security into '
'university curricula.',
'Implement mandatory '
'upskilling for security '
'teams.',
'Develop AI governance '
'frameworks to mitigate '
'prompt injection/other '
'risks.',
'Enhance collaboration '
'between AI developers and '
'security teams.'],
'root_causes': ['Lack of AI/IT Security Expertise '
'(48% of orgs)',
'Insufficient Training Programs '
'(54% cite lack of IT security '
'skills)',
'Over-Reliance on AI Without Human '
'Oversight',
'Reactive (vs. Proactive) '
'Cybersecurity Culture']},
'recommendations': ['Invest in AI-specific upskilling (e.g., prompt '
'engineering, agentic AI) for security teams.',
'Mandate certifications for IT/security personnel '
'post-breach (62% preference).',
'Partner with universities/industry bodies to standardize '
'AI security curricula.',
'Balance AI automation with human expertise for '
'contextual threat analysis.',
'Treat cybersecurity as a strategic, companywide '
'initiative (not reactive).',
'Focus hiring/retention on cloud, network, and data '
'security skills (top gaps).'],
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2024-10-08',
'source': 'Sapio Research & Fortinet Report'},
{'date_accessed': '2024-10-08',
'source': 'Dice Interview with Melonia da Gama (Fortinet)'},
{'date_accessed': '2024-10-08',
'source': 'Dice Interview with Diana Kelley (Noma Security)'},
{'date_accessed': '2024-10-08',
'source': 'Dice Interview with Amit Zimerman (Oasis '
'Security)'},
{'source': 'Cyberseek Job Board (500,000+ U.S. Openings)',
'url': 'https://www.cyberseek.org/'}],
'response': {'communication_strategy': ['Public Report (Oct. 8, 2024)',
'Media Interviews (e.g., Dice, '
'Fortinet Experts)'],
'containment_measures': ['Upskilling Programs (61% report '
'improved skills via certifications)',
'Mandatory Cybersecurity Training (62% '
'post-breach)'],
'enhanced_monitoring': ['AI-Driven Threat Detection',
'Real-Time Visibility Tools'],
'recovery_measures': ['Reskilling Employees (48% retention '
'tactic)',
'Partnerships with '
'Universities/Certification Bodies'],
'remediation_measures': ['Investment in AI Security Tools',
'Cross-Functional Collaboration (AI '
'Specialists + Security Teams)',
'Prompt Engineering Training']},
'stakeholder_advisories': ['Executives urged to prioritize upskilling and '
'strategic cybersecurity investments.',
'IT/security teams advised to pursue AI-related '
'certifications (e.g., prompt engineering).',
'Organizations recommended to foster '
'cross-functional AI-security collaboration.'],
'threat_actor': ['Cybercriminals Leveraging AI',
'Internal Threats Due to Lack of Awareness'],
'title': 'AI Skills Shortage and Cybersecurity Challenges in Global '
'Enterprises',
'type': ['Data Breach', 'AI Exploitation Risk', 'Workforce Skill Gap'],
'vulnerability_exploited': ['Human Error',
'Skill Gaps in Workforce',
'Inadequate Training Programs',
'AI Platform Misconfiguration']}