Vytautas Kaziukonis is SurfsharkFounder and CEO of.
With cyber threats rapidly evolving, experts predict that cybercrime will cost American businesses dearly. 452 billion dollars in 2024a number that is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Ensuring strict cybersecurity measures is no longer just a recommendation: it is essential to maintaining business operations. AI has now become an indispensable cybersecurity tool, with examples ranging from phishing detection tools to AI chatbots capable of responding to cybersecurity requests.
By managing and streamlining repetitive tasks, AI frees up human resources for more strategic security initiatives. Still, AI in cybersecurity is not infallible, so it is essential to understand the pros and cons.
Is AI paving the way for success or setback?
As AI continues to evolve, so does its role in cybersecurity. AI systems offer invaluable tools to protect against cyber threats. However, organizations must manage the complexities and challenges carefully.
Combat or create cyberthreats
One of the most significant advantages of AI in cybersecurity is its ability to predict threats and identify potential threats before they manifest. By analyzing data patterns and identifying anomalies, AI can alert on risks that might otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late.
However, the same complexity that allows AI to predict threats can make it a useful tool for attackers. Hackers could exploit AI to create more sophisticated scams which can bypass traditional security measures (such as spam filters for emails). Additionally, hackers could deploy AI-powered social engineering tactics to create fake messages or requests that seem personal and convincing. These messages can trick people into disclosing sensitive information or accessing secure systems.
Threat detection: a blessing and a curse
AI excels in provide immediate answers to security incidents. It can automate processes, save time and minimize damage by isolating infected systems and blocking intrusive activities.
But this automated rapid response system can sometimes backfire. AI determination of what constitutes a threat this may not always be accurate, leading to false positives that can disrupt business operations. Additionally, if malicious actors understand the AI response pattern, they could potentially manipulate the system to trigger a desired reaction, turning the AI’s speed against itself.
A (un)learning and a continuous (de)evolution
AI systems are designed to learn and evolve, meaning they become more efficient as they process more data. This ability to continually learn from interactions and new threats makes them increasingly adept at recognizing and responding to the ever-changing cyber risk landscape.
Paradoxically, this strength could be exploited. If threat actors manage to feed AI systems with manipulated data (called “data poisoning”), they could distort the AI learning process, leading to inaccurate models that fail to detect real threats or, even worse, consider malicious activities safe.
Can technology thwart deception?
While AI brings many benefits to cybersecurity, each benefit comes with its own set of challenges. These issues highlight the need for a careful and strategic approach to integrating AI into cyberspace, ensuring that these powerful tools enhance security rather than inadvertently undermine it.
As AI technology advances, online threats evolve accordingly and become more difficult to detect. Food for thought: Will we maintain the upper hand in this high-stakes technological arms race, or will we overuse AI to the point where we can no longer recognize what is normal and what constitutes a threat?
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