8 Ways AI Helps Improve Cybersecurity Defense
Artificial Intelligence can be a polarizing subject. While some are afraid of how powerful it is and can become, others view it as a powerful tool that when used in tandem with human analysis, can be an incredibly beneficial.
Before exploring the good AI can accomplish in the cybersecurity realm, it may be useful to understand how it can be used by criminals. Threat actors can exploit legitimate tools using AI by doing everything from creating bots, to drafting social engineering campaigns designed to trick users into sticky situations.
Criminals use AI to scale attacks and prevent detection. According to cybersecurity firm TrendMicro, “AI could also be used to harm or inflict physical damage on individuals in the future. In fact, AI-powered facial recognition drones carrying a gram of explosives are currently being developed. These drones, which are designed to resemble small birds or insects to look inconspicuous, can be used for micro-targeted or single-person bombings and can be operated via cellular internet.”
While many view AI as a cybersecurity vulnerability, Artificial Intelligence can present advantages when trying to identify and mitigate risks. In 2020, it accounted for $10 billion and that number is expected to climb to $46 billion by 2027.
Cyber analyst Cyble suggests that AI could be a huge asset in the fight against cybercrime, as the amount of data on the internet has reached over 5 million terabytes.
“While AI is poised to outright replace certain tasks and functions traditionally performed by an organization’s workforce, the true benefit of AI only comes through when it is used in concert with expert human analysts who can leverage AI insights to perform their tasks better,” Cyble says.
Now that we’ve looked at the influence AI has on both cybercriminals and cyber defense professionals, we can now dive a little bit deeper into the 8 ways AI can help protect against cybersecurity attacks:
Obtains Information Quickly
AI has the ability to quickly curate and store threat intelligence from countless research papers, blogs, news stories, reports and more – allowing this information to influence future protection decisions.
Quickly Filters Out Superfluous Information
Using Machine Learning, AI can filter, sort and cut through the noise and surplus of data to get to the important information needed to influence decisions and processes. This will also reduce response times.
Constantly Learns
Machine Learning algorithms also allow AI to constantly “learn”. The more information it receives, the more informed it is, making it easier to filter through data and quickly decide where action is most required.
Analyzes Patterns
Artificial Intelligence’s ability to analyze patterns from previously observed attacks helps it identify trends, patterns and standard operating procedures that can help mitigate attacks.
Is Always Available
AI and Machine Learning can run 24/7. They can also provide insight immediately, eliminating the need for human intervention during times when human intervention is available like off-hours, holidays, weekends or even time-zone differences.
Processes Higher Volumes of Data
AI can process a higher volume of data than any team of research analysts would be able to in any given amount of time. This frees up time for humans to offer their insights and use their expertise to influence decisions based off of the findings from the AI analysis.
Finds Unknown Threats
When cybercriminals deploy attacks using multiple vectors and samples, the complexities of this could evade humans. With the vast information an AI system may possess, it can immediately identify and flag these threats.
Is Immune from Human Error
A variety of factors could play a role in human error including fatigue or complacency. These errors that humans may cause won’t happen using Artificial Intelligence.
Story via Cybernews.com
