Key Takeaways
- The Five Eyes alliance warns that AI is already reshaping the cyber threat landscape, making attacks faster, larger, and more sophisticated.
- Legacy devices running unsupported software are strategic liabilities and easy targets for cybercriminals.
- While AI empowers attackers, it also offers powerful defensive capabilities when integrated into security operations.
- Immediate actions: verify that your phone, tablet, and laptop still receive security updates, enable multi‑factor authentication, patch software promptly, and replace hardware that no longer gets support.
- Maintaining basic cyber hygiene remains essential; proactive device management is the best defense against evolving AI‑driven threats.
The Five Eyes Joint Warning on AI
In June 2024, the intelligence and cybersecurity agencies of Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand—collectively known as the Five Eyes—issued a rare joint statement highlighting the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence on cyber security. The agencies emphasized that AI is not a distant future concern; it is already present and actively transforming both offensive and defensive cyber operations. The warning urged organisations and individuals to act more quickly than ever to protect themselves, noting that the speed at which AI‑enhanced threats emerge could outpace traditional security measures if left unchecked.
How AI Accelerates Cyber Threats
The statement explains that AI’s growing power is amplifying the speed, scale, and sophistication of cyber attacks. Malicious actors can now automate reconnaissance, rapidly identify software vulnerabilities, and craft highly convincing phishing campaigns at a fraction of the time previously required. This compression of the exploit cycle means that a newly discovered flaw can be weaponised within hours or days rather than weeks or months. Consequently, the window for both individual users and large enterprises face a heightened risk of data breaches, ransomware, and espionage, with attacks becoming more difficult to detect and mitigate using legacy defenses.
Legacy Devices as Strategic Liabilities
A central focus of the Five Eyes warning is the danger posed by outdated technology—devices that no longer receive vendor‑supported software or security patches. The Australian Cyber Security Centre described such systems as “strategic liabilities,” emphasizing that they are not merely technical debt but active vulnerabilities that cybercriminals readily exploit. Unsupported laptops, tablets, and smartphones often lack critical defenses against newly discovered exploits, making them low‑hanging fruit for attackers seeking to infiltrate networks, steal credentials, or deploy malware.
Why Unsupported Phones and Computers Are Vulnerable
Specific examples illustrate the risk: for Apple devices, only the iPhone 11 and newer models receive the latest iOS 26 updates; older iPhones miss out on the newest security protections, even though Apple still issues occasional urgent patches for devices as old as the iPhone 6. Similarly, Samsung’s current software rollout is limited to the Galaxy S22 and S21 series and newer models. While many laptops can receive updates for eight to ten years, users frequently retain home desktops far beyond that support window. An unsupported phone or computer connected to a home Wi‑Fi network can serve as a gateway for attackers, especially as AI‑driven threats grow more adept at locating and exploiting unpatched weaknesses.
AI as Both Threat and Defensive Tool
The Five Eyes statement balances the warning with optimism, noting that the same AI capabilities that empower attackers can also bolster defence. Organizations that integrate AI into their security operations can detect vulnerabilities earlier, improve code quality through automated testing, and respond to incidents with greater speed and precision. AI‑driven threat intelligence can correlate disparate systems, enabling security responses. Thus, AI provides a path: it can be leveraging the speed of machine learning to predict attack vectors before they materialise. In short, AI is a double‑edged sword; its net impact depends on whether defenders adopt it proactively or allow adversaries to monopolize its advantages.
Practical Steps to Secure Your Devices
The most immediate action individuals can take is to verify that each device they use is still receiving essential software and security updates. Contact the manufacturer—Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, or another vendor—directly via customer service for accurate, up‑to‑date information about support status. If a device is no longer supported, plan to replace it or isolate it from critical networks. Additionally, enable multi‑factor authentication on all applicable accounts, apply patches promptly, and consider using reputable security software that can provide an extra layer of protection for legacy hardware that must remain in service temporarily.
The Importance of Ongoing Cyber Hygiene
Beyond checking support, the Five Eyes agencies stress that fundamental cyber hygiene remains indispensable. Regularly updating operating systems, applications, and firmware closes known security gaps that attackers exploit. Installing software patches as soon as they are released reduces the window of opportunity for exploitation. Multi‑factor authentication adds a significant barrier against credential theft, even if passwords are compromised. Finally, routinely assessing hardware lifecycle and retiring equipment that no longer receives vendor support eliminates a persistent source of risk. These practices, when combined with vigilant device management, form a resilient defence against both conventional and AI‑enhanced threats.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The Five Eyes warning underscores a pivotal shift: AI is already here, reshaping the cyber threat landscape at an unprecedented pace, while legacy devices continue to pose a strategic weakness. The dual nature of AI—as both an enabler of sophisticated attacks and a powerful ally for defence—means that proactive adaptation is essential. By confirming that your phones, laptops, and other devices are still supported, maintaining rigorous update and patch routines, employing multi‑factor authentication, and replacing outdated hardware, you can significantly reduce your exposure. In an era where threats evolve in months rather than years, acting swiftly on these fundamentals is not optional; it is a necessary step to safeguard personal data, business assets, and national security.