Dr. Frankenstein didn't set out to create a monster.
He started with a good idea and the right tools. But without enough foresight or control, that idea took on a life of its own.
Sound familiar?
That same cautionary tale is playing out today, not in a castle lab, but in office inboxes, cloud apps, and AI chat tools across small businesses everywhere. The monster? Artificial Intelligence used by cybercriminals to launch smarter, faster, more believable attacks.
This Isn't Sci-Fi. It's Happening Right Now.
Today's cyber threats don't always look like bad links or obvious scams. They look like a perfectly written email from your vendor. A voicemail from your CEO. A calendar invite with no red flags. That's because hackers are now using AI to create custom, targeted attacks designed to fool real people.
Small businesses are especially at risk. Many teams use AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot without realizing how that data is stored, or how it can be used. At the same time, attackers are using similar tools to scan the web, clone public information, and mimic your company in minutes.
In other words, we've entered an age where the lines between helpful technology and dangerous manipulation are blurry. And that's exactly where Frankenstein's story starts to feel a little too close for comfort.
What the "AI Monster" Looks Like Today
You may not see bolts and lightning, but here's what modern AI-powered cybercrime looks like:
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Phishing emails written in flawless English, personalized with your name, company, or schedule.
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Fake invoices or password resets that match your vendors or branding perfectly.
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Deepfake voicemails or videos asking your team to transfer money or share login credentials.
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Business email compromise scams that begin with a legitimate out-of-office reply and end with a wire transfer.
The point? The hackers aren't just guessing anymore. They're using AI to research, write, and automate their attacks. And many of them look just real enough to work.
Why Your Team Needs Training - Not Just Tools
Even with top-tier cybersecurity software in place, many attacks succeed because someone on the inside gets tricked.
That's not a failure of technology. It's a failure of awareness. And that's exactly why we created CyberHero Academy.
CyberHero Academy is a free, practical training program for teams at small and mid-sized businesses. It's not a boring lecture or a compliance checkbox. It's real-life, eye-opening, and based on the same tactics we've seen hackers use in real incidents.
We walk through:
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How AI is changing the game for cybercriminals
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What to watch for in emails, texts, and phone calls
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How to spot the red flags that tools might miss
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What to do when something doesn't seem quite right
The goal isn't to scare your team. It's to equip them. Because in this environment, your employees aren't just staff, they're your first line of defense.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
A lot of businesses believe they're too small to be targeted. But that's exactly what makes them vulnerable.
Cybercriminals know that smaller companies often don't have full-time IT staff, rigid security policies, or regular training. They're counting on your team to be busy, distracted, or unaware.
CyberHero Academy changes that.
And the best part? It's available to any business in North Carolina, even if you're not a ComTech client. We offer the sessions in-person, virtual, or hybrid—whatever fits your team best.
You can schedule your CyberHero Academy training here:
https://comtechnc.com/cyberhero-academy
Don't Let the AI Monsters Win
While scary movies and Halloween decorations are fun, the real fright is in how quickly AI is advancing on both sides of the screen.
It's not about fearing the tools. It's about understanding them, and preparing your people.
Just like Frankenstein's monster, today's cyber threats can look harmless at first. But without the right guardrails and awareness in place, they can quickly spiral out of control.
Let's make sure your business is ready.
If you're a current client and want to bring CyberHero Academy to your team, reach out to your Client Success Manager. If you're not yet a client, we're happy to help you get started.
Either way, don't wait until there's a monster at the door.
