Artificial intelligence (AI) is molding the future of the world as we know it. Automation, machine learning, and other aspects of AI are impacting everything from big tech to everyday convenience. Self-driving cars dot the highways, and AI-enabled virtual assistants are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Evolving quickly and ever adaptive, what once seemed like science fiction is now modern and mainstream.
AI is also becoming integral to the cybersecurity sector. New technologies supported by AI are proving capable of detecting cyberattacks and generating effective and adaptive responses to these incidents. This demonstrates great promise toward ongoing cybersecurity efforts for organizations and entities both large and small. But the same advancements helping to progress cybersecurity in general also pose potential perils as cybercriminals also employ AI to their advantage in evolving methodologies leading to innovative and sophisticated attacks.
How AI Impacts Cybersecurity for the Better
Artificial intelligence capabilities are being used to enhance security efforts across the board. From prevention to remediation, there are direct benefits made possible through AI-supported cybersecurity methodologies.
The threat landscape is steadily evolving, with criminals constantly developing and employing new attacks and tactics. Currently available AI security technologies can detect possible threats before they cause widespread harm. And the machine learning aspect of AI gives security technologies the ability to spot new and previously unknown threats. An example of this is seen with the ability of AI-assisted security tech to identify new forms of malware before it can negatively affect a system. With millions of new malware variants appearing every month, AI is proving to be a vital pillar in preventing attacks before they occur.
AI is not likely to be a solution for preventing malware and other attacks outright. Still, its ability to detect suspicious activity leading up to a breach allows for a quick and effective response. Automated security efforts enabled by AI can alert an organization to possible attack and shut down an affected device or limit network connectivity to reduce the spread of potential threats. This requires no active participation from cybersecurity teams and allows for a faster response to isolate the event to slow or stop its reach. By taking responsive action when signs of a cyberattack first appear, AI can allow for much earlier detection than previous security measures.
Another area where AI impacts cybersecurity for the better is during the remediation process after an incident has occurred. Systems and technologies that use AI as an investigative tool to better understand the scope of an attack are being developed and show much promise. This can provide affected organizations and individuals insight into how the attack unfolded and its extent within a system. Remediation efforts through AI are not yet as far along as prevention and detection, but this area that looks poised to evolve in the near term, providing obvious advantages as it does.
AI-Assisted Cyberattacks Prove Problematic
On the flip side of the cybersecurity spectrum sits a rapidly developing threat landscape that utilizes AI-assisted attacks to avoid detection and infiltrate systems. Currently, there is not a lot of precise data or other information showing exactly how cybercriminals use AI in their attacks. But it is safe to assume that threat actors are taking advantage of the same technologies to meet their illicit means.
Automation is one area where cyber attackers can employ AI to their advantage. This has already appeared on a basic level in the form of adaptive attacks utilizing automated bots or customized behavior to blend in with a system upon infection. This type of attack is known as Virtual Machine Environment or sandbox evasion. It is a tool that attackers can employ not only to affect a system but also to learn about existing security measures to better pull off an attack the next time around. As AI technologies improve, criminals will gain a better ability to create and deploy malware that is harder to spot and is ultimately more adaptive.
Social engineering attacks are another hot spot for AI-backed threats. Social engineering is the term used for cyberattacks that rely on human interaction and manipulation in order for those to be effective. These attacks target employees or other personnel within an organization to trick them into taking actions which compromises corporate security. It can be as simple as a phishing email or as complex as deep-fake audio. Either way, AI is assisting with the psychological ploys of social engineering attacks with apparent results that benefit cybercriminals. One study showed that phishing emails written using AI were more effective than human written messages at convincing individuals to click on a malicious link.
There is a number of other potential ways in which AI can be used in a cyberattack. Hackers utilize AI methods to effectively guess user passwords. AI-derived malware that better avoids detection has been floating around for years. Machine learning can even be used to create decoy attacks that serve to distract and cover up actual breaches. As AI technologies continue to improve, so too will the ways in which cybercriminals utilize them to their advantage. Things are just at the starting line concerning how threat actors use AI in their attack attempts, and with these advancements come many more potential security risks.
What Can Your Organization Do to Combat AI Attacks?
An effective cybersecurity response plan is critical to combating any cybersecurity threat, AI attacks included. This will give your organization the tools and support needed to limit the impact of the threat and to navigate any fraud issues affecting compromised clients. Efforts to improve basic organizational cyber hygiene are always important, such as implementing multi-factor authentication and conducting regular data backups. Education and awareness are also critical, so taking the time to inform all personnel about the threat of AI attacks and other types of suspicious activity can reduce risks.
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, and the rise of AI is sure to add ongoing complications to an already complex situation. Knowing the benefits of AI alongside its risks can help you to develop effective security measures to keep up with an evolving environment.
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