Celebrating AI Appreciation Day: 5 Ways AI Has Transformed Cybersecurity

By Gerry Bruin, Threat Specialist at Adarma

The number of cyber threats and threat actors has grown significantly over the past decade. In tandem, digital environments have grown, becoming ever more complex and interconnected, making full visibility harder to maintain. With this growth in risk combined with a shortage of cybersecurity talent, many businesses are struggling to keep pace with the sheer volume and sophistication of modern cyber threats.

In this struggle to uphold security, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven to be a valuable tool in the arsenal of cybersecurity professionals. AI has not only improved security operations capabilities but also enabled more proactive and efficient defences. Experts believe that AI could soon provide a way to combine multiple data sets from many disparate sources and provide a truly unified view of an organisation’s security posture, with actionable insights, a state that security professionals term “a single pane of glass.”

So, to mark AI Appreciation Day, July 16^th, we want to reflect on how AI has transformed the cybersecurity landscape for the better. Here are five critical ways that AI has enhanced cybersecurity:

1. Enhanced Threat Detection and Response

AI, with its ability to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time, has significantly enhanced our threat detection capabilities. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can quickly identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate malicious activity, often before it can cause significant harm. AI can also assist in digesting reports, making them more understandable for security teams, speeding up their ability to respond.

AI can be trained to take immediate actions when a threat is detected, such as isolating affected systems, blocking malicious traffic, or rolling back unauthorised changes. This automation ensures a quick and coordinated response, minimising damage and downtime.

2. Advanced Malware Detection

Malware is constantly evolving, with new variants emerging at an alarming rate. AI empowers company defence strategies to evolve alongside it. The AI becomes more robust as each malware sample passes through the model. Deep learning AI, a type of machine learning and AI that imitates the way humans gain certain types of knowledge,  enables companies to optimise their malware protection strategies by improving the quantity and accuracy of the data it analyses.

Here are ways that AI enhances malware detection:

• Traditional antivirus solutions rely on known signatures to detect malware. AI, however, can identify malicious software based on its behaviour, even if it has no known signature.
• Utilising deep learning models, AI can dissect malware binaries and recognise patterns indicative of malicious intent.
• AI can predict and mitigate zero-day threats by recognising suspicious activities associated with previously unknown vulnerabilities.

3. Predictive Analytics

AI excels in predictive analytics, enabling cybersecurity systems to anticipate and pre-empt potential threats. AI can forecast future attack vectors and vulnerabilities by analysing historical data and identifying trends.

• Threat Intelligence: Cybersecurity experts have found predictive analytics valuable for online threat intelligence, enabling the accurate prediction of malicious behaviour and the mitigation of potential attacks before they occur.
• Risk Assessment: AI can assess the risk associated with different assets and user behaviours, allowing organisations to prioritise their security efforts and allocate resources more effectively.

This proactive approach is much more effective than reacting after the fact. The integration of advanced predictive analysis tools in cybersecurity has significantly impacted the industry by providing security teams with increased visibility into their overall security posture at any given time.

4. Forensic Analysis

A wealth of data can be collected and analysed in the wake of a security breach, including authentication logs, user activity records, transaction histories, and more. AI can be used to quickly sift through large amounts of data and identify anomalies that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. This can help security teams trace the steps of a malicious actor, enabling them to better understand how they were able to gain access and prevent similar breaches in the future.

5. Identity Management

Authentication is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, and the shift to multi-factor authentication (MFA) has significantly enhanced access security. As cybercriminals continuously adapt their methods, AI has emerged as a key player in enhancing authentication processes.

In industries like financial services, where fraud is a major concern, AI has proven to be a game-changer. AI models excel at identifying fraudulent activities that traditional rule-based systems might overlook. For instance, if a user suddenly accesses financial information from a new location or device, or attempts to access irrelevant data, they will be prompted to verify their identity.

There’s still more to learn

The true extent to which AI will benefit the field of cybersecurity remains undefined. Understandably, times like these can be both exhilarating and daunting for even the most forward-thinking of organisations. While a sense of apprehension is probably quite sensible, it’s important that fear of the unknown does not hinder innovation. AI has limitless potential to benefit security and help us get ready for the threats ahead.

However, Adarma recommends a purposeful approach to AI-adoption. Careful experimentation with tools and continuous monitoring of their impact is the most beneficial route for organisations to take. It will ensure the effectiveness of AI and avoid adding unnecessary tools to an already sprawling digital ecosystem.

Let’s Talk

If you would like to learn more about how Adarma can support your organisation’s cyber resilience, please get in touch with us at hello@adarma.com.

To hear more from us, check out the latest issue of ‘Cyber Insiders,’ our c-suite publication that explores the state of the threat landscape, emerging cyber threats, and most effective cybersecurity best practices.

You can also listen to our new podcast, which explores what it’s really like to work in cybersecurity in today’s threat landscape.

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