Generative AI has completely disrupted the way we interact with technology.
More than a year after apps like ChatGPT burst onto the scene, almost every industry is exploring how they can use AI to improve their efficiency, testing anything from image generation to supply chain automation. While they have found the technology produces an array of benefits, they have also found many unique risks, leading many to question its use.
The cybersecurity industry faces a more complex decision than most; while AI can improve response times and protection against attacks, it can also be used to instigate those very attacks.
The positives
Soon, AI could not only be proposing changes to systems, but it could start performing them. As it continues to progress, we’ll see more intricate and complex uses for the technology. As Jonathan Marks, President and Co-Founder of Quorum, puts it, we’ll see a “shift from general-purpose text and experience models to more tailored, product-focused ones”. Companies will soon be able to build specialized programs designed for integration into specific applications, meaning the technology could soon be working alongside us, instead of for us.
Specifically within the cybersecurity industry, this shift could allow for more automation, increased efficiency, and fewer mistakes.
Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, believes the rapid developments in AI could help strengthen defenses against cyberattacks because they may speed up detection and response times. And he’s not alone – 61% of respondents surveyed by Forbes believe AI will outperform humans when detecting threats.
AI can also be used to process huge amounts of data quickly, speeding up operations and producing results at a highly accelerated pace. Using AI for data processing will also free up skilled workers from more tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value work. With burnout being a major reason for employees to be leaving the industry, this is a huge benefit that shouldn’t be ignored.
The negatives
There is no doubt that AI has the possibility to transform the cybersecurity industry for the better, but it also poses many unique risks that must be taken into consideration. While AI can provide improved protection and response times to cyberattacks, it can, and will, be used to carry out those attacks.
What was once a difficult task that required training and skill will soon be available at the fingertips of anyone who wants it. Tools are already emerging that utilize AI to make data attacks easier, such as WormGPT. Ivan Novikov, founder and CEO of Wallarm, warns that “these AI models can provide novice malicious actors with advanced capabilities which were once the domain of more skilled hackers”.
Additionally, a report from Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre said that they believed the use of AI would only increase cyber threats as it lowered the barriers of entry for hackers and allowed for more malicious activity.
We may begin seeing these risks come to light as early as this year. It will be important to remain diligent in our security measures, especially as we continue to evolve our uses for AI.
Where do we go from here?
In today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape, neither an all-human team nor one only powered by AI can reach its full potential. The only way to fully tap into the technology, and mitigate its risks, is to create a harmony between it and human intelligence. Whether we like it or not, AI is being integrated into almost every part of our lives, and we have to learn to adapt.
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Colleen Douglas
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Executive Platforms
Colleen joined the Executive Platforms team in May of 2022. She has five years of experience in event marketing, with an emphasis on copywriting and digital strategies.
Colleen has a BA Honours in Business Communications from Brock University and a Diploma in Digital Media Marketing from George Brown College.