Hybrid: The Future of Cyber Attacks in AI Era

Dr Hisham Al Assam, Associate Professor in Computer Science

The Future of Cyber Attacks: How AI Moves From Assisting to Fully Orchestrating Cyber Threats” is an advanced seminar designed to help delegates understand the rapidly changing cyber-threat landscape as artificial intelligence evolves from a passive enabler of attacks to an active, autonomous orchestrator.

Moving beyond conceptual discussion, the session examines how modern offensive AI systems analyse targets, adapt strategies in real time, and execute coordinated multi-stage attacks with minimal human involvement.

Across the seminar, participants will be guided through the mechanics of AI-driven threat generation, with a particular emphasis on adversarial agents, autonomous exploitation workflows, and the convergence of large-scale automation with intent-driven cyber operations.

A series of hands-on demonstrations will highlight how agentic AI models interact with MCP-based offensive servers, showcasing practical examples of reconnaissance, vulnerability chaining, and dynamic decision-making by AI systems. These demonstrations are designed to give attendees a tangible sense of how quickly attack capabilities are evolving and why traditional defence models are struggling to keep pace.

The seminar will also address the strategic implications for cybersecurity teams and policymakers. Delegates will explore how defensive practice must adapt, including new detection strategies for AI-generated traffic, the importance of proactive threat-hunting in the era of machine-speed intrusions, and the role of governance frameworks capable of managing autonomous digital adversaries.

By the end of the session, delegates will take away:

• A clear understanding of how AI is transitioning from an assistive function to fully autonomous orchestration in cyber attacks.
• First-hand exposure to agent-based offensive AI systems and MCP offensive server capabilities.
• Insight into emerging attack patterns, including adaptive exploitation, automated lateral movement, and coordinated multi-vector operations.
• Awareness of the limitations of current security tools when faced with machine-driven threats.
• Practical strategies for strengthening defence posture, including early-signal detection, behavioural monitoring, and the integration of defensive AI.
• A forward-looking perspective on how cyber-defence and governance will need to evolve as autonomous threat actors become mainstream.

This seminar offers a compelling and highly practical exploration of the next era of cyber threats, equipping delegates with the knowledge to prepare for, respond to, and ultimately anticipate AI-enabled adversaries.

Dr Hisham Al Assam is an Associate Professor in Computer Science and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is currently the Programme Director of MSc Innovative Computing and MSc Applied Computing in addition to being the Research Lead of the School of Computing.

Hisham leads the Cyber Security Stream, and he leads and teaches a number of UG and PG modules such as Fundamentals of Cyber Security and Cryptography, Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics and Cyber Incident Management, and Information Security in Communications. He is also the module lead of Advanced Web Applications Development and Web Technologies and Applications.

Hisham’s key research interest is machine learning in both cyber security and healthcare. He is currently focusing on the effective integration of generative artificial intelligence into both offensive and defensive cyber security.

He has authored and co-authored 50+ publications in the two areas. Security applications include deep learning for biometric recognition, CCTV image analysis, identity-based encryption, machine learning for cyber security attacks and defences, digital forensics, privacy-aware and multi-factor authentication. He has successfully supervised tens of cyber security related projects ranging at UG, MSc, MSc by Research and PhD levels.

He jointly won two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) grants funded by Innovate UK & Deepnet Security LTD to build innovative biometric-based products and he was the academic supervisor of the two KTP projects.

Hisham is also a member of the Cyber Local Steering Group for the South East of England, contributing to the assessment and allocation of government grants aimed at strengthening local cyber security initiatives (2025).

Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.

BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society.

If you are attending in person, please familiarise yourself with the Visitor Instructions for the BCS London Office.

Please note, if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via [email protected], and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.

For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.

This event is brought to you by: Beds, Bucks and Northants branch

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