Apple signals that the new attack surface is time itself

The logic is simple. If an AI system can find a flaw for one user, it can identify vulnerabilities for other users; that’s a benefit for well-resourced attackers prepared to move fast once a vulnerability becomes public. Hackers are, after all, one group in tech that really doesn’t worry much about moving fast and breaking things.

Apple said it has no evidence any of the patched vulnerabilities were actively exploited before the fix shipped, but that’s not a reason for complacency — especially in business and education, where deployment tends to lag.

Caution has become risk

That lag is a vulnerability. Traditionally, some industries — particularly, regulated ones — have delayed the installation of system upgrades. That was sensible because it enabled them to identify compatibility problems before a company-wide deployment took place. 

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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