Experts are warning that working from home is making businesses more open to cyberattacks, especially as hackers use new tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to trick people. Since many employees now work remotely, scammers are taking advantage of weaker human awareness, not just flaws in technology.
Joe Jones, who runs a cybersecurity company called Pistachio, says that modern scams are no longer just about breaking into systems. Instead, they rely on fooling people. He explained how AI can now create fake voices that sound just like someone’s boss or colleague. This makes it easier for criminals to lie their way into a company’s systems.
A recent attack on the retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) shows how dangerous this has become. Reports say cybercriminals pretended to be trusted staff members and convinced IT workers to give them access. This kind of trick is known as social engineering—when attackers focus on manipulating people, not just software.
In fact, a recent study found that almost all data breaches last year happened because of human mistakes, not system failures.
Jones believes spending money on cybersecurity tools can help, but it’s not the full answer. He said that if workers aren’t taught how to spot scams, even the best technology can’t protect a company. He compared it to buying expensive security systems for your home but forgetting to lock the door.
The M&S hack also caused problems for other well-known shops, including Co-op and Harrods. Stores had to pause online orders, and some shelves went empty, showing how these attacks can impact daily business operations.
Jude McCorry, who leads a cybersecurity group in Scotland, said this kind of attack could lead to more scam messages targeting customers. She believes companies should run regular training for employees just like they do fire drills. In her view, learning how to stay safe online should be required in both businesses and government offices.
McCorry also advised customers to update their passwords, use different passwords for each website, and turn on two-factor login wherever possible.
As we rely more and more on technology for banking, shopping, and daily services, experts say this should be a serious reminder of how fragile online systems can be when people aren’t prepared.