We’re all aware of a new technology known as A.I. Not only is it taking over to recreate design or make your favourite celebrity dance but now, organisations are adapting A.I into their products, business models and their security programs.
However, all new things have their limitations, challenges and risks just as much as they provide new and innovative solutions.
So, what is A.I?
AI refers to the field of simulating human intelligence through machines, computers, and applications.
How does an AI work?
To stimulate these processes (even exceeding a human being’s limitations) AI uses complex algorithms, statistical models, language processing and computational power to not only input the data but also to learn from it as well as improve its performance over time.
How does AI Benefit Cybersecurity?
AI security systems have the ability to automate processes and save time far higher and more complex compared to most people.
It can detect malware variants, which is quite challenging especially when enormous volumes of code is masked over it. With AI, these threats are easily detected.
An AI security system has the ability to detect patterns to discover new malicious code and since organisations are now sharing a large amount of data over emails, chat, videos, etc organisations do require a helping hand to ensure a strong cyber security for their organisation.
Vulnerability and Risk Management with AI
AI can help organisations better handle their vulnerability and risk management. It’s like having a smart assistant that can check for and fix security problems automatically.
Imagine this AI system looking at lots of devices, websites, and data to find security issues quickly. It doesn’t need human help and can even figure out how to fix problems on its own.
After checking everything, the AI can also see if the current security measures are good enough and help decide which issues need fixing first. This way, the organisation can be better protected against potential security problems.
One big challenge for organisations is dealing with security issues that keep coming up. AI can keep an eye on systems for known issues and even watch what people do on the network to catch any unusual activity that might signal a new problem.
Challenges and Risks of Using AI in Cybersecurity
While AI can help protect against cyberattacks, there are some issues and problems to be aware of:
1. Expensive to Start:
Using AI in cybersecurity can be costly, especially for smaller companies. They need to spend money on setting up and maintaining AI systems, and there might not be enough AI experts available right now.
2. Data Training Costs:
Teaching AI systems to recognize threats requires a lot of data and time. If the data is wrong or incomplete, the AI system won’t work well.
3. Ongoing Maintenance:
Even though AI should work on its own once it’s set up, it still needs updates and checks to stay effective.
4. Potential Misuse by Cybercriminals:
Regrettably, just as organisations and cybersecurity experts can employ AI to orchestrate more sophisticated attacks.
Adversarial AI, for instance, enables malevolent actors to manipulate machine learning models with deceptive data, devising novel methods to circumvent cybersecurity measures. Advanced AI can compromise facial recognition systems and commit fraud or theft.
To stay ahead of AI-based threats, AI-driven cyber security systems must be continually updated to adapt to evolving attack tactics, further increasing the investment required for effective AI implementation.
5. AI Isn’t Perfect:
AI, although promising, is still in its nascent stages, and organisations may tend to over-rely on its capabilities during initial adoption. Close monitoring and oversight by AI-trained specialists are necessary due to the potential for errors and biases as AI systems evolve into self-sufficiency.
6. Ethical Concerns:
AI must be used ethically, respecting user privacy and not breaking traditional security rules.
AI technology presents a substantial advantage in combating cybercrime. Its capacity for automation and machine learning facilitates real-time threat detection, offers time-saving benefits, and enables innovative solutions beyond human capabilities.
While the early adoption hurdles such as high initial costs are expected to diminish, cyber security professionals should collaborate with AI systems to optimise effectiveness, improve accuracy, and deliver early advantages. The malicious utilisation of AI underscores the urgency for organisations to embrace and deploy AI effectively.
In the evolving landscape of cyber threats, the strategic adoption and ethical utilisation of AI are paramount considerations for organisations.
