Introduction of AI Monitoring System... Recruitment of Security Professionals
Implementing Predictive and Preventive Security Beyond Simple Defense
Advancing Voice Phishing and Spam Detection Technologies
KT has unveiled a blueprint to strengthen its security system by investing 1 trillion won in information protection over the next five years. The investment will be allocated to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring technologies, global collaborations, and the recruitment of security professionals. In the second half of this year, the company plans to launch AI Voice Phishing 2.0, a service that detects everything from contextual clues during calls to deep voice manipulation, marking the first such service among mobile carriers. KT aims to prevent 200 billion won in damages through this initiative.
"Preventing Attacks in Advance" ...Plan to Reach Global Standards
Hwang Taeseon, Head of Information Security at KT, announced at the "Customer Safety & Peace of Mind & Information Protection" briefing held at Center Point Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 15, "We will invest 1 trillion won in information protection over the next five years," adding, "We will establish a new global standard for security with a proactive, prevention-focused framework, rather than a defense-oriented one."
The 1 trillion won investment will be allocated as follows: approximately 20 billion won for global collaborations with companies such as Microsoft (MS) and Palo Alto Networks; 340 billion won for strengthening zero trust and monitoring systems; 50 billion won for expanding dedicated security personnel; and 660 billion won to maintain and gradually improve the current level of information protection disclosures. As a result, KT's annual average investment in information security is expected to increase from about 120 billion won to 200 billion won.
Hwang stated, "There are about 30 white hat hackers within KT," and added, "We will regularize simulated hacking and vulnerability improvement activities, and prevent external threats in advance through third-party information protection inspections." He also emphasized efforts to strengthen KT's security system through strategic partnerships with global companies such as MS, as well as to ensure supply chain security.
KT is working to complete its security system by applying the Zero Trust principle, which means "trust no one." Hwang said, "Based on the Zero Trust principle, where no one and no access can be trusted, we will establish a sophisticated and integrated response system."
Hwang also reported that, following the SKT hacking incident, a joint public-private inspection was conducted on KT, and internal diagnostics confirmed that the security system is operating normally without any issues.
"AI Will Prevent Voice Phishing Damages and Reduce Spam"
In addition, KT will further enhance its services to substantially reduce damages from voice phishing and spam messages that occur during customers' use of communication services.
Lee Byungmoo, Head of AX Innovation Support Division, stated, "In the second half of this year, after obtaining approval from the Personal Information Protection Commission, we plan to commercialize 'KT AI Voice Phishing Detection 2.0,' which can recognize speakers and detect deep voice manipulation, making it the first of its kind among mobile carriers."
This is the next version of the real-time AI voice phishing detection service launched in January. In collaboration with the National Forensic Service, AI trained on over 25,000 voice phishing audio samples analyzes the context of calls to detect risk signals and provides users with notifications in the form of "caution" or "warning." The goal for version 2.0 is to increase detection accuracy from the previous 91.6% to 95% and to prevent more than 200 billion won in criminal damages.
AI-based spam response will also be advanced. KT has already introduced a real-time AI keyword registration system for spam blocking and plans to upgrade its filtering structure in the second half of this year to counter new types of variant spam, such as investment solicitation and SNS chat inducement. The company is also operating an AI Clean Messaging system that blocks spam at the source. The AI engine accesses internet URLs in text messages within a virtual environment to detect malicious activity such as smishing, and determines the risk by learning the characteristics of malicious URL source codes.
To counter the recent surge in large-scale DDoS attacks, KT will more than double the defense capacity of its Clean Zone within this year and will launch a monitoring dashboard next month that allows customers to view DDoS attack detection information. The company also plans to introduce a proactive DDoS response system based on AI learning of new threat patterns within the year.
Lee Hyunseok, Head of the Customer Division (Vice President) at KT, stated, "We will strive to respond to voice phishing and spam in real time using AI technology throughout the entire process of customers using communication services," and added, "KT will establish a new security standard in the field of information security that is fundamentally different from the past in order to remain true to the basics."
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