Crowd strike commissioned a survey of 1,022 cybersecurity professionals worldwide to gauge their views on the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) and its implications.
The results reveal excitement about GenAI’s potential to strengthen defenses against increasingly sophisticated threats, but also apprehension about risks such as data exposure and attacks on GenAI systems.
Although much speculation has been made about the transformative impact of GenAI, the survey results paint a clearer picture of how practitioners view its role in cybersecurity.
According to the report, “we are entering the GenAI era of cybersecurity.” However, as organizations adopt this promising technology, their success will depend on ensuring safe, responsible, and industry-specific deployment of GenAI tools.
CrowdStrike’s research reveals five key findings shaping GenAI’s current state of cybersecurity:
- Platform-based GenAI is favored
80% of respondents indicated a preference for GenAI delivered through integrated cybersecurity platforms rather than standalone tools. Seamless integration is cited as a crucial factor, with many preferring tools that work cohesively with existing systems. “The value of GenAI is linked to its operation within a broader technology ecosystem,” the report said.
Additionally, nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents expressed a willingness to switch security vendors to access competitors’ GenAI features. The survey highlights the industry’s desire to move toward unified platforms that streamline operations and reduce the complexity of adopting new point solutions.
- GenAI built by cybersecurity experts is a must-have
Security teams believe that GenAI tools should be designed specifically for cybersecurity, not general-purpose systems. 83% of respondents said they would not trust tools that provide “inappropriate or ill-advised security advice.”
Breach prevention remains a key motivator, with 74% saying they have experienced breaches in the past 18 months or are concerned about vulnerabilities. Respondents prioritized tools from vendors with proven expertise in cybersecurity, incident response, and threat intelligence, rather than vendors with only broad AI leadership.
As CrowdStrike summarizes: “The focus on breach prevention and vendor expertise suggests that security teams would avoid domain-agnostic GenAI tools. »
- Augmentation, not replacement
Despite growing fears that automation is replacing jobs in many industries, the survey results indicate that concerns about job displacement in the cybersecurity sector are minimal. Instead, respondents expect GenAI to empower security analysts by automating repetitive tasks, reducing burnout, onboarding new hires faster, and speeding up decision-making.
GenAI’s potential to augment analyst workflows was highlighted by its most in-demand applications: threat intelligence analysis, investigation assistance, and automated response mechanisms. As noted in the report, “survey respondents overwhelmingly believe that GenAI will ultimately optimize the analyst experience and not replace human labor.”
- ROI trumps cost concerns
For organizations evaluating GenAI investments, measurable return on investment (ROI) is the primary concern, ahead of licensing costs or confusing pricing models. Respondents expect platform-based GenAI deployments to deliver faster results, driven by cost savings from reduced tool management burdens, streamlined training, and fewer security incidents.
According to the survey data, the distribution of expected ROI includes 31% from cost optimization and more efficient tools, 30% from fewer incidents, and 26% from reduced processing time. management. Security officials are clearly working to ensure that GenAI’s investments are financially justified.
- Guardrails and safety are crucial
GenAI adoption is tempered by concerns about security and privacy, with 87% of organizations implementing or planning new security policies to oversee GenAI use. Key risks include exposure of sensitive data to extended language models (LLMs) and adversarial attacks against GenAI tools. Respondents rank security and privacy controls among the most desired GenAI features, highlighting the need for responsible implementation.
Reflecting the cautious optimism of practitioners, only 39% of respondents strongly believe that GenAI’s benefits outweigh its risks. Meanwhile, 40% view the risks and rewards as “comparable.”
Current Status of GenAI Adoption in Cybersecurity
GenAI adoption is still in its early stages, but interest is growing. 64% of respondents are actively researching or have already invested in GenAI tools, and 69% of those currently evaluating their options plan to make a purchase within the year.
Security teams are primarily driven by three concerns: improving attack detection and response, improving operational efficiency, and mitigating the impact of understaffing. Among economic considerations, the top priority is return on investment – a sign that security managers are eager to demonstrate tangible benefits to justify their spending.
CrowdStrike highlights the importance of a platform-based approach, where GenAI is integrated into a unified system. Such platforms enable seamless adoption, measurable benefits, and security guardrails for responsible use. According to the report, “GenAI’s future in cybersecurity will be defined by tools that not only advance security, but also meet the highest standards of security and privacy.” »
The CrowdStrike survey concludes by saying that “GenAI is not a silver bullet” but has enormous potential to improve cybersecurity outcomes. As organizations evaluate its adoption, they will prioritize tools that seamlessly integrate with existing platforms, provide faster response times, and ensure security and privacy are respected.
As threats become more sophisticated, GenAI’s role in enabling security teams to work faster and smarter could prove indispensable. Although still in its infancy, GenAI in cybersecurity is poised to move from early adoption to widespread deployment, provided organizations and vendors address its risks responsibly.
See also: The keys to AI success: security, sustainability and breaking down silos
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