It’s 2024 and you can now deep false World leaders will be able to sing your favorite Taylor Swift song using only AI and an existing video of the person. Whether we like it or not, AI-generated content has infiltrated most aspects of our daily lives.
That’s not all. The ad you just walked past, the music playing in the background, and the blog post you trust to give you a legitimate recipe are all potential sources of input from generative AI.
Unlike expensive and bulky virtual reality headsets or robot waiters, generative AI is almost too easy to access and adopt in our daily tasks. Due to its accessibility and low barrier to entry, the technology has gained momentum, exploding into a A market worth 45 billion US dollars last year, and is expected to grow by leaps and bounds until at least 2030.
The Gold Rush of Generative AI
The numbers are staggering. Given the diversity of generative AI use cases across industries, nearly every company is taking advantage of the AI gold rush. Those that aren’t are simply missing out on this first-mover advantage and will inevitably lag behind their competitors.
Widespread adoption of generative AI is already underway within security teams. A recent State of Security report from Splunk found that 91% of global respondents are using it, with 46% saying the technology will be a “game changer” for their security teams.
While AI has always been part of the security operations center toolkit, this new strain of generative AI has opened the door to unprecedented and never-before-imagined improvements, including threat detection and prevention, anomaly detection, endpoint security, user authentication, automated response, vulnerability management, security analysis, and threat intelligence.
Generative AI helps close the skills gap by enabling security teams to quickly detect and respond to threats, better protecting critical data and infrastructure. With adaptive defenses, generative AI allows organizations to proactively adjust security measures in real-time, thwarting cybercriminals.
State of Cybersecurity in Singapore in Generative AI
The Singapore government has taken proactive initiatives in promoting cybersecurity and investing in advanced technologies. Initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Strategy and the National Cybersecurity Research and Development Program demonstrate the country’s commitment to fostering innovation in the field.
Stakeholders concerned are also actively discussing how they can better develop policies and regulations specific to generative AI in cybersecurity to ensure responsible deployment and address potential risks.
Yet despite a strong national focus on technology, it is curious that only 76% of local security teams in Singapore appear to have confidence in technology – the lowest rate of any country Splunk surveyed.
This is also reflected in actual implementation, where Singapore has the lowest percentage (77%) of organisations that have or are developing a formal generative AI plan for cybersecurity.
Why are security teams in Singapore relying on the untapped potential that generative AI can offer in cybersecurity?
While the island nation has always welcomed and supported innovation, local actors tend to take a more cautious approach. In a field where the stakes are so high, cybersecurity professionals can’t afford to rush things, and it seems local organizations are taking that into account.
Additionally, cyberanxieties born from “AI anxiety” are not uncommon.
According to a study by Censuswide, 48% of respondents are concerned about not being able to keep up with AI. 48% believe their colleagues are more knowledgeable about AI than they are, and 63% of respondents say they want to learn more about AI, even if they don’t know where to start. Splunk’s State of Security report also found that 46% of respondents found it “more difficult to keep up with cybersecurity requirements in the last two years.”
Taming the Beast of Generative AI
The benefits of adapting to the new normal of generative AI cannot be underestimated. It would allow cybersecurity teams to unleash their full potential. However, it is imperative to exercise caution and leverage the insights gained from cloud and IoT adoption. The lack of responsible processes, safeguards, and planning could backfire on security teams.
Rushing without thinking can lead to unfavorable results.
To navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, organizations must strike a delicate balance between embracing innovation and implementing thoughtful, sustainable processes.
Strong policies and procedures are essential, but they can only be effective if security teams have a deep understanding of the technology being used. In fact, 65% of security teams admit to lacking training on generative AI.
Closing this knowledge gap requires a nuanced approach. It may be tempting to clamp down on generative AI on security grounds, but doing so risks setting us back the competition that is harnessing its potential.
Additionally, such a restrictive approach leaves organizations vulnerable to malicious actors who have already demonstrated a willingness to exploit these tools.
Embracing AI with thoughtful policies in place will help alleviate anxiety, while strong collaboration across teams, including around compliance, will help in the long run.
While the AI attacks on the horizon may seem daunting, it’s important to remember the basics. Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, but adversaries still rely on tried-and-true techniques, and misconfigured systems will remain a top vector in 2024.
Establishing baseline controls is how businesses can get the best return on their investment, making it easier to meet long-term requirements. While 76% of respondents believe that IT asset inventory takes too much time, it’s time well spent. Having an up-to-date view of your assets and their dependencies can prevent dangerous blind spots.
It’s critical to learn from past experiences and avoid repeating the mistakes of haphazard adoption. By adopting generative AI with a thoughtful and informed approach, security teams can protect their organizations while staying ahead of the digital race.
