How is AI Changing Cybersecurity?

ai in cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of cybersecurity, offering innovative solutions to combat increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By leveraging machine learning, behavioral analytics, and automation, AI cybersecurity enables organizations to detect, prevent, and respond to attacks faster and more effectively than ever before.

What Is AI?

You’re probably familiar with AI tools like ChatGPT or Tesla’s self-driving mode, but let’s review what AI actually is.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence by machines, particularly computer systems. It uses algorithms and data to quickly perform tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, forecasting, and decision-making that typically require human cognition.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting your computer systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. It uses a range of technologies, processes, and strategies designed to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your digital assets.

What Is the Effect of AI on Cybersecurity?

So, how do AI and cybersecurity work together? As AI has advanced, IT professionals have developed several ways it can facilitate faster, more detailed protection for your tech.

  • Breach Predictions: AI’s ability to quickly process large volumes of data allows it to make advanced breach predictions based on past incidents.
  • Automated Threat Detection: Because AI is continually learning, its threat detection is becoming more and more accurate, leading to fewer false positives.
  • Rapid Vulnerability Scanning: Your team can better focus improvement efforts and handle risk management with initial insights from AI’s quick scanning.
  • Incident Response Support: AI models can provide real-time analytics on current incidents, enabling quicker responses from your real-life team.
  • Advanced Spam Filtering: Detailed spam and phishing detection reduces the number of harmful messages entering your company, minimizing your risk.
  • Improved Pen Testing: Generative AI can create realistic attack simulations and drills that test your protections and incident response efforts.

But What About Cybersecurity for AI?

There are a myriad of ways to approach cybersecurity, and not all of them include AI tools. You may choose to run your cybersecurity without the help of AI, but we strongly recommend against the reverse: using AI without cybersecurity.

AI works by pulling data from various sources, processing it, and then generating responses. Proper cybersecurity measures are needed to ensure AI gathers data from the right places and gives the right kind of data to the right people. For example, you may want controls that make sure your AI model won’t pull information from a sensitive file for a project the new intern is working on.

Similarly, protecting your AI tools and the content they generate from hackers is paramount to safeguarding company data and intellectual property.

By integrating robust cybersecurity measures with AI technologies, organizations can create a mutually reinforcing system that ensures both data protection and the safe, effective use of AI tools.

Concerns and Cautions AI Brings

With all the convenience it brings, AI has also altered the threat landscape, presenting more risks. Here are a few to look out for: 

  • Deepfakes 
  • AI-Powered Phishing 
  • Social Engineering
  • Bias and discrimination
  • Privacy concerns

Being aware of these concerns is one thing, but mitigating them is another. Choosing the right provider can ease your journey to security and provide so many more solutions.

Prioritize Cybersecurity in All Areas with iTology

AI will continue to develop and change the way we handle cybersecurity (and all areas of technology). Having a trustworthy tech consultant to guide you through these updates while keeping your systems safe and secure is crucial.At iTology, we prioritize doing what’s best for your company, staying on top of trends while still trusting in tried and true principles. So don’t face the future of AI and cybersecurity with fear—face it with confidence when you partner with iTology. Send us a message to make a plan for your cybersecurity.