AI Phishing: The New Face of Social Engineering | Guard Street Cybersecurity Podcast

Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity—and cybercriminals are using it to make attacks more convincing, personalized, and difficult to detect. On this episode of the Guard Street Cybersecurity Podcast, Jim Dedelow sits down with Vince Mazza of Guard Street Cybersecurity to explore the growing threat of AI-powered phishing and social engineering. The conversation examines how criminals can use AI to research their targets, imitate writing styles and voices, understand personal routines, and create highly convincing scams designed to manipulate employees into taking action. Vince shares a real-world example involving a compromised CEO email, an impersonated phone call, and a fraudulent wire transfer—demonstrating just how sophisticated these attacks have become. The episode also explains why traditional employee phishing training may no longer be enough when AI-generated emails, voices, and deepfakes can appear nearly indistinguishable from the real person. Jim and Vince also discuss zero trust, "off-brand" verification, cybersecurity careers, the growing shortage of cyber professionals, and the ongoing arms race between attackers and cybersecurity experts. If you own or operate a business, work in IT, handle financial transactions, or simply want to understand how AI is changing cyber threats, this episode offers an important look at what comes next. Listen to the Guard Street Cybersecurity Podcast for more conversations about cybersecurity, emerging threats, AI, social engineering, and protecting your organization in an increasingly digital world.