Five Eyes agencies warn frontier AI will speed both cyber attacks and defenses within months

The Five Eyes intelligence agencies released a joint statement on Monday warning that frontier AI models capable of transforming offensive and defensive cyber capabilities are anticipated within months rather than years. The Independent reported that the statement described how AI accelerates the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats.

It listed specific weaknesses AI will exploit, including unnecessary internet connectivity, weak identity and access controls, lack of planning, legacy systems and sluggish patching loops.

President Donald Trump blocked foreign nationals from using Anthropic’s Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models in June. Anthropic shut down the models following the U.S. government restrictions. The statement urged leaders to understand and assess the risks, prioritise foundational cyber security practices and controls, empower cyber leaders with authority and resources, and stay engaged as threats evolve.

It said success will come from getting the basics right, acting quickly and integrating cyber security into core business strategy, while those that do not will face growing operational and strategic disadvantage. The agencies added that cyber risk assumptions can become outdated in months, not years, and that a whole-of-organisation and whole-of-society response is required.

They said cyber risk can no longer be treated as a purely technical issue and urged organisations and governments to strengthen defences by integrating AI tools into their security operations, warning that those who do not will face catastrophic consequences.