Artificial intelligence has slashed the cost of launching a cyberattack to under $3, according to a Mastercard study reported by Business Standard.

Technology, public and financial sectors account for 44% of cyberattacks in India, the report said. Firms are strengthening governance as AI agents pose new kinds of risk. The study was published on September 30, according to Business Standard. Security experts say automated phishing and malware kits are now widely available to criminals.

Cheap, automated attacks lower the barrier for criminals. Security teams warn that AI tools which once needed skilled operators can now be scripted at scale.

Indian companies are responding by tightening controls on AI deployments and monitoring agent behaviour. Regulators are also watching how automated tools are misused. Indian companies are tightening controls on AI deployments and monitoring how automated tools behave.

What happens next: defenders will need cheaper, faster detection as attack costs keep falling.