The Benefits and Risks of AI Cybersecurity
Harnessing AI for cybersecurity offers a host of benefits, including enhanced threat detection and response, faster and more efficient data management, and better situational awareness and decision-making. These advantages make AI cybersecurity a force multiplier for seasoned cyber professionals, enabling them to protect people and systems from today’s relentless attacks.
The best AI security solutions help organizations of all sizes bolster defenses, allowing them to focus on the tasks that matter most—including identity management that ensures your organization’s data and networks aren’t accessed by unauthorized users, real-time monitoring that protects on-premises and remote employees, and upgraded visibility that uncovers security gaps. Some AI cybersecurity tools provide a comprehensive set of capabilities, like cloud-delivered endpoint protection from CrowdStrike, while others excel in specific areas, such as predictive threat response.
In addition, AI can help reduce the number of false positives and negatives in identifying threats. This is accomplished through training, which allows AI to understand what normal behavior looks like and detect changes. This is especially useful for resource-constrained teams, as it can fill the gap between the amount of information that human analysts are able to analyze and the volume of threats that occur in real time.
However, despite the many benefits of AI, there are also risks that come with using it for security. For example, attackers could use techniques such as poisoning AI models to alter their behavior or create false information. Another potential threat is when an attacker uses a “cyberweapon” that targets the hardware that AI systems are embedded in, such as the engine of a self-driving car or the controls for construction or manufacturing equipment.