{
  "id": 18263205,
  "title": "AI sharpens cat-and-mouse hacking battle as companies strengthen defences",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/ai-sharpens-cat-and-mouse-hacking-battle-as-companies-strengthen-18263205",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-05T06:10:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Economic Times Tech",
    "slug": "economic-times-tech",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/ai-sharpens-cat-and-mouse-hacking-battle-as-companies-strengthen-defences/articleshow/135561625.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As cyber threats escalate and AI becomes more sophisticated, companies worldwide are scrambling to enhance their defenses. The surge in cyberattacks has placed immense strain on IT departments, forcing employees to work around the clock to address vulnerabilities. One such incident occurred when hackers targeted European supermarkets, causing refrigerator and freezer temperatures to rise and forcing retailers to discard millions of dollars worth of spoiled food. Marnie Wilking, chief security officer at travel platform Booking.com, described the situation as a never-ending game of cat and mouse, with high stakes for all involved.\n\nIn response to the growing number of security flaws, companies are increasingly turning to AI-powered security tools. Nearly 37,000 software or computer system vulnerabilities were reported in the third quarter of 2026, tripling from the previous year. Ionos, a German web hosting company, deployed AI-based monitoring systems to scan for threats and used AI-assisted tools to install patches around the clock. Binance, hit by a $6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft, plans to invest more in AI-enhanced detection systems.\n\nThe cyberattacks on grocery retailers, including Ahold Delhaize, have exposed the vulnerabilities of smaller firms to such attacks. CFO Jolanda Poots-Bijl emphasized that AI not only helps in detecting and restoring systems faster but also allows for faster restoration compared to past incidents. AI tools have also been used to recreate hacks, such as the vulnerabilities in PHP programming language, which led to precautionary measures being taken by governments and companies worldwide. As the threat of AI-discovered flaws continues to grow, both sides are heavily equipped, and the race to develop stronger defenses continues.",
  "summary": "From hacked supermarket fridges and a record cryptocurrency theft at Binance to an emergency over flaws in widely used web software, companies worldwide are facing a wave of cyber threats executives say AI is accelerating",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "AI sharpens cat-and-mouse hacking battle as companies strengthen defences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/ai-sharpens-cat-and-mouse-hacking-battle-as-companies-strengthen",
        "published": "2026-11-05T06:08:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}