However, as the use of Salesforce has grown, so has the risk of cyberattacks that specifically target the platform. Cybercriminals are constantly stepping up their game, and AI and automation are increasingly being used to create more sophisticated and effective attacks. In this article, we will discuss the vulnerabilities of Salesforce and how AI can be used to counter these new developments in cyberattacks.
Innovations in cybercrime
In 2023, cybercriminals are innovating, and innovating quickly. More often than ever before, hackers are utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation to speed up every phase of the attack sequence – the kill chain.
Previously time-consuming processes, from data collection to carrying out the attack, can now be accomplished in a matter of days, or even hours. The striking acceleration of these digital attacks poses a headache for organizations that aim to safeguard their digital assets and infrastructure.
IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2023 report reveals that attackers can now execute their plans 94% faster compared to just a few years ago. What once took months to complete can now be carried out by these attackers in just a few days.
Understanding Salesforce and its vulnerabilities
Salesforce is a cloud-based platform, which means it is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it incredibly convenient for businesses, but it also increases the risk of cyberattacks.
Cybercriminals can gain access to a company’s Salesforce account through a variety of methods, such as phishing attacks, social engineering, or exploiting vulnerabilities in the platform itself such as misconfigurations.
One of the biggest vulnerabilities of Salesforce is the human factor.
Whether through configuration errors, accidental clicks on phishing links or opening malicious files, employees or contractors with access to the Salesforce platform can accidentally (or intentionally) leak sensitive information, such as customer data, financial information, or intellectual property, which can be used by cybercriminals to commit fraud or launch attacks against the company.
In addition, Salesforce is highly customizable, which means that businesses can create custom applications and integrations to meet their specific needs. However, this also means that customizations that have not been fully vetted by cybersecurity experts can introduce new vulnerabilities and pathways that cybercriminals can exploit.
How AI can help exploit these vulnerabilities
Undoubtedly, artificial intelligence is now an important part of the cybersecurity landscape. AI is increasingly being used by cybercriminals across the board, automating time-consuming attacks, such as brute-force attacks (cracking passwords or encryption keys much faster than a human could) or creating much more sophisticated tools such as deepfakes.
Both of these should be of great concern to cybersecurity teams in charge of overseeing a Salesforce platform, as weak passwords can now be brute forced with AI in mere days or hours.
Additionally, deepfake videos or audio recordings impersonating executives or other high-ranking employees can trick employees into transferring funds or revealing sensitive information.
AI can also be used to create highly targeted phishing emails, which, despite widespread training or awareness-raising campaigns, are still among the most effective tools for tricking people into revealing sensitive information or allowing data from Salesforce to be held to ransom.
How AI can lead the fightback
When it comes to cyber security and AI, it makes sense to fight fire with fire. Fast ransomware attacks require organizations to respond faster, and adopting a proactive, threat-driven approach to cybersecurity.
Well-intentioned AI and machine learning tools can be among the most effective strategies to counter these new developments in cyberattacks.
For example, AI can be used to analyze user behavior to detect anomalies that could indicate a potential attack or detect a weak point in a company’s attack surface.
The growing sophistication of attacks highlights the importance of investing in advanced threat protection that leverages the latest threat intel and fine-tuned algorithms to ward off evolving threats. Detecting and blocking threats needs to happen as far from the end-user as possible, in real-time, without delay, and without relying on human intervention where possible.
Why it’s vital to keep your Salesforce platform safe from cybercriminals
Salesforce is a great way for businesses to centralize processes, improving time management, accessibility, reporting, collaboration, and much more, but if the platform is breached, the results can be difficult to predict in scope. Cybercrime is an industry worth billions of dollars annually, with data breaches costing companies an average of $3.86 million US dollars.
Co-security for Salesforce – Expert Services and Automated Defenses
Securing your Salesforce environment doesn’t have to be complex. WithSecure™ offers expert cloud security services to help identify vulnerabilities and implement effective safeguards against cyberattacks.
Our native app deploys in minutes and integrates seamlessly with your existing Salesforce setup — adding powerful, automated defenses without disrupting your customizations.
Salesforce is widely used for managing customer data, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals. Attackers are increasingly using AI to scale and refine their tactics — but AI can also be used to stop them.
By combining automation and AI-driven protection, organizations can proactively defend against modern threats, reduce manual effort, avoid costly incidents, and stay compliant with data protection regulations.