AI-Powered Threats Demand Proactive Cyber Defense Waiting Is No Longer an Option

The recent cyber breach at Canadian Tire has once again brought cybersecurity to the forefront of corporate priorities, serving as a stark reminder that in today’s digital landscape, waiting to respond is no longer enough. Affecting customers of SportChek, Mark’s/L’Équipeur, and Party City, the breach reignited urgent discussions among cyber experts at the National Insurance Conference of Canada (NICC) about one critical truth companies must transition from passive defense to active deterrence.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping not only business operations but also the nature of cyber risk itself. As AI becomes a double-edged sword empowering defenders while also arming attackers the traditional “detect and respond” model is quickly losing ground. Luigi Lenguito, CEO of BforeAI, emphasized this shift, urging organizations to focus on deterrence rather than reaction. “We can’t just wait and see what happens,” he warned. “We have to prepare and be ready before the attack starts.”

This new mindset means increasing the cost and complexity of attacks, making it harder and riskier for criminals to target an organization. Cyber deterrence is not about confrontation but about prevention deploying technologies, intelligence, and awareness programs that make attackers think twice.

Paul Caiazzo, chief threat officer at Quorum Cyber, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that organizations must evolve faster than their adversaries. He warned that most businesses have yet to factor in “shadow AI” internal systems that could be manipulated or corrupted. “Even if you’re just beginning to explore AI, you need to understand the worst-case scenario,” he said. With AI-enabled phishing, deepfakes, and automated data theft becoming more advanced, it’s clear that a reactive stance is no longer viable.

This urgency extends beyond corporate networks to the regulatory sphere. Nathalie David of Clyde & Co. called for Canada to establish a clear AI regulatory framework, noting that the country lags behind Europe in implementing risk-based AI governance. Meanwhile, Munich Re’s Michael Berger predicted that AI insurance products designed specifically for algorithmic and model-related risk will soon follow the same trajectory as cyber insurance.

As the threat landscape evolves, Canadian organizations need to take a proactive and layered approach to security. This includes not just advanced detection systems, but continuous risk monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and robust compliance frameworks.

At Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), we recognize that proactive defense is no longer optional it’s essential. As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), DGT delivers solutions such as Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), SOC 2 compliance, Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), Web Application Firewall (WAF), and vCISO services. Our advanced Artificial Intelligence Division helps organizations develop tailored, intelligent defenses that don’t just react to threats they anticipate them.

The Canadian Tire breach is a warning: cybercriminals are innovating faster than ever, and AI is accelerating the game. The organizations that will survive and thrive are those that act now, adopting proactive deterrence strategies that keep them one step ahead. Source: Insurance Business