AI’s Rising Role in Cybersecurity: Adapting to the Changing Landscape

The impact of AI on companies of all sizes is dramatically changing the potential of the workplace, but it is also opening the door for new and advanced threats to organizations. And with great potential comes great responsibility to navigate this new terrain with care and knowledge.

In a recent episode of the De-Risking Business Podcast, Ian Paterson, founder and CEO of Plurilock, discussed the opportunities that organizations and criminals see from the advancement in the use of AI and how Forward-thinking organizations can build strong counter-defenses and strong cybersecurity programs.

The New Workplace – and New Risks

AI will be especially useful when it comes to dealing with mundane tasks, freeing up human professionals to focus on more critical aspects of their role. However, it is unlikely to replace humans completely. It takes care of about 80% of the workload, allowing human experts to handle the important first and last 10%.

But companies that use AI in any capacity (and every company must use it or risk being left behind by competitors) also have an obligation to protect their valuable customer data and information. And when dealing with sensitive data containing personally identifiable information, the bar is set even higher. It is important to be deliberate about the tools chosen to handle such data and to be fully aware of the steps required to maintain its security.

While AI is proving its value, there are reservations about its deployment in highly regulated areas. Fear of inaccuracies prevents many companies from fully embracing the potential of AI. Concerns have arisen about the risks of exfiltrating data, accidental disclosure of data, and potential violations of regulations such as GDPR. The perceived risks sometimes overshadow the value that AI brings.

It’s important to remember that AI in cybersecurity is still in its early stages. Technologies such as generative AI are relatively new and developing rapidly. Skepticism and caution naturally arise. However, industry professionals must actively work to ensure the safe, responsible development and deployment of AI in cybersecurity.

The Evolving Threat Landscape

And, as AI advances, new concerns also arise. Threat actors, using AI itself, are becoming more sophisticated, and we are witnessing a noticeable increase in social engineering attacks, such as phishing, smishing, and deep fake videos. According to Paterson, “the cybersecurity industry must respond with better tools to better identify and hopefully block more malicious communications. “

Many companies face difficulties in quickly identifying data breaches or other threats. But by adopting a vigilant and proactive approach, cybersecurity teams can quickly detect suspicious activity and implement the necessary controls to protect their operations. The key is to deploy scalable tools that empower businesses to run applications that improve productivity without compromising security.

In an era driven by AI, the cybersecurity industry is facing a significant change that requires increased responsibility. Data security and protection against threats should be the primary concerns of companies as they carefully navigate the selection of AI tools. By adopting AI with a strong sense of responsibility and continuing to develop cutting-edge tools, the full potential of AI in cybersecurity and empowering businesses to thrive in the face of evolving threats can be unlocked.

Listen to the full episode HERE.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Apptega Blog authored by Natalie Anderson. Read the original post at: https://www.apptega.com/blog/ais-rising-role-in-cybersecurity-adapting-to-the-changing-landscape