What happens when cybercrime becomes as easy to access as a subscription service, and what does that mean for every business connected to the internet today? In this episode, I sit down with SentinelOne AI and Cloud Security Evangelist Chris Hosking to unpack a shift that feels both inevitable and deeply unsettling. The rise of what Chris describes as an AI threat market is changing the rules of engagement. Cybercrime is no longer limited to highly skilled operators working in isolation. Instead, it has evolved into a thriving ecosystem where tools, services, and even AI-powered attack kits are bought and sold with alarming ease. As Chris explains during our conversation, "cyber crime is quite an ecosystem… the dark web has always been a place for cyber criminals to meet and to sell their wares." We explore how AI has accelerated this shift, lowering the barrier to entry to the point where attacks can be launched for as little as £35. That democratization of cybercrime is already having real-world consequences. Chris shares how individuals without deep technical expertise are now able to orchestrate sophisticated attacks using AI assistance, and why that surge in accessibility is driving both the volume and impact of cyber incidents. It also reframes a common misconception. Smaller businesses are not flying under the radar. In fact, many are being targeted precisely because of weaker defenses, with attacks increasingly automated and opportunistic. The conversation also moves into more complex territory, where organized cybercrime and nation-state activity begin to overlap. Chris highlights how governments and criminal groups are drawing from the same AI marketplaces, blurring the lines between financial motivation and geopolitical intent. The implications stretch far beyond corporate risk, touching on critical infrastructure and everyday services that people rely on. It raises a difficult question about preparedness in a world where attacks are faster, more frequent, and harder to predict. At the same time, there is a practical thread running through this discussion. Chris challenges the instinct to immediately invest in more tools and instead encourages leaders to look inward first. From improving basic security hygiene to using AI to reduce manual workload and noise, there are tangible steps organizations can take right now. The goal is not perfection, but resilience in an environment where, as Chris points out, incidents are becoming a regular occurrence rather than a rare event. This episode offers a clear-eyed look at where cybersecurity is heading, without the hype or fear-driven narratives. It is a conversation about scale, speed, and the uncomfortable reality that the threat landscape has changed in ways many organizations are still catching up with. So as AI continues to reshape both innovation and risk, how prepared is your organization for a world where anyone can launch an attack with a few prompts and a subscription? Useful Links SentinalOne Blog Connect with Chris Hosking Please check the partners of the Tech Tech Talks Network Denodo Learn more about the NordLayer Browser
