As we head into another Cybersecurity Awareness Month (is it October, already?) there doesn’t seem to be any hotter topic on everyone’s minds than how Artificial Intelligence will impact their lives. The cybersecurity discipline is, of course, no exception. And while we have some general indication as to the impact, we just seem to be scratching the surface of what the AI transformation will look like. Let us look at AI as it relates to cybersecurity today and into 2024.
One of the main threats of AI for cybersecurity is that hackers are using AI, machine learning, and other technologies to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. According to McKinsey, AI can enable attackers to automate and scale their operations, evade detection and attribution, and exploit vulnerabilities in complex systems. For example, AI can be used to generate realistic phishing emails, impersonate voice or facial biometrics, create deepfake videos, or conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Another threat of AI for cybersecurity is that AI itself can become a target of cyberattacks. As more organizations rely on AI for critical functions and decisions, hackers may try to compromise the integrity, availability, or confidentiality of AI systems. For example, hackers may try to manipulate the data or algorithms of AI systems, inject malicious code or commands, or steal sensitive information or intellectual property.
On the other hand, AI can also be a powerful ally for cybersecurity. AI can help organizations not only to respond faster than attackers can move, but also to anticipate their moves and react in advance. According to Deloitte, cyber AI can augment security teams with data and machine intelligence, enabling them to detect novel patterns, contain incidents, and automate responses. For example, AI can help security teams to analyze large volumes of data from various sources, identify anomalies or threats, prioritize actions, or orchestrate remediation.
Another benefit of AI for cybersecurity is that AI can help organizations to improve their security posture and resilience. AI can help organizations to assess their current state of security, identify gaps or weaknesses, and recommend improvements or best practices. For example, AI can help organizations to monitor their compliance with regulations or standards, benchmark their performance against peers or industry norms, or optimize their security investments or resources.
As we look ahead to 2024, we can expect that the interplay between AI and cybersecurity will continue to evolve and shape our digital world. Some of the key trends that we may see include:
To prepare for these trends and challenges, organizations will need to adopt a proactive and holistic approach to cybersecurity and AI. This means that they will need to:
AI is a double-edged sword for cybersecurity: It can be used for good or evil, depending on who wields it and how. By understanding the potential impacts of AI on cybersecurity in 2024, we can better prepare ourselves for the opportunities and threats that lie ahead.