Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, or decision making. AI can be both a defensive tool and a threat when it comes to cyber security. For example, AI can help cyber security professionals detect and respond to cyber threats, analyse and protect data, or automate and streamline processes. However, AI can also be used by cyber criminals to launch more sophisticated and effective attacks, such as AI-generated phishing emails, AI-powered malware, or AI-facilitated data theft. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of AI use within cyber security, and what it means for the future of cyber security.
The Pros of AI Use within Cyber Security
AI has become a powerful tool in the fight against cyber threats, as it can help cyber security professionals with the following tasks:
Automated threat detection: One of the primary benefits of AI in cyber security is its ability to detect threats automatically. AI can analyse large amounts of data, process a huge number of signals, identify anomalies, and develop predictions. Moreover, AI can continuously learn from new data sets to improve its abilities. For example, network intrusion detection products use AI to identify anomalies in user behaviour or network traffic patterns that signal possible intrusions.
Rapid response to cyber attacks: AI can also help cyber security professionals respond to cyber attacks faster and more effectively. AI can provide early alerts to potential attacks, isolate threats before they can damage systems, or collect forensic data to aid incident response and recovery. For example, predictive and analytic tools use AI to provide alerts to possible impending breaches before they occur by detecting attempts to scan a network or deliver malware payloads that may be a precursor to an actual intrusion.
Data analysis and protection: AI can also help cyber security professionals analyse and protect data, which is one of the most valuable assets in the digital world. AI can encrypt, authenticate, and control access to data at rest and in transit. AI can also monitor and audit the use and performance of data systems and applications, and ensure they comply with ethical and legal standards and regulations. For example, some video surveillance systems use AI to identify actions that are potential threats, or to classify images, such as the colour or type of vehicle, to aid response.
Process automation and optimisation: AI can also help cyber security professionals automate and optimise processes, such as threat intelligence, anomaly detection, or incident response. AI can reduce the workload and human errors, increase the efficiency and accuracy, and enhance the scalability and adaptability of cyber security processes. For example, some cyber security platforms use AI to automate the generation and distribution of security policies, or to optimise the allocation and utilisation of security resources.
The Cons of AI Use within Cyber Security
AI’s ability to analyse large data sets with lightning speed, learn from new data, and perform complex tasks can also be used for malicious purposes, such as:
Over-reliance on AI: While AI is a powerful tool, complete reliance on it might create blind spots. AI systems are not infallible, and they may make mistakes, produce false positives or negatives, or be manipulated by adversaries. For example, some AI systems may be vulnerable to adversarial attacks, where cyber criminals use specially crafted inputs to fool or evade AI models. Therefore, human oversight and intervention are still necessary to ensure the reliability and accountability of AI systems.
Potential for manipulation: AI systems learn from data, and the quality and integrity of data are crucial for the performance and outcomes of AI systems. However, data can be corrupted, tampered, or stolen by cyber criminals, who can use it to train their own AI models, or to influence or compromise the existing AI models. For example, some cyber criminals use AI to generate fake or synthetic data, such as images, videos, or audio, that can be used to impersonate or deceive victims.
Cost and complexity: AI systems are not cheap or easy to implement and maintain. They require a lot of resources, such as computing power, storage, bandwidth, and energy, to run and update. They also require a lot of expertise, such as data scientists, engineers, or analysts, to design, develop, and operate. Moreover, AI systems are not transparent or explainable, and they may be difficult to understand, verify, or audit. For example, some AI systems use deep learning, which is a complex and opaque technique that involves multiple layers of neural networks that process data in a non-linear and non-deterministic way.
Ethical concerns: AI systems may also raise ethical concerns, such as privacy, fairness, or human dignity. AI systems may collect, process, or disclose sensitive or personal information, such as biometric data, health records, or financial transactions, without the consent or knowledge of the data subjects. AI systems may also exhibit biases, discrimination, or prejudice, based on the data they use or the algorithms they employ. AI systems may also affect the autonomy, dignity, or rights of human beings, such as replacing human workers, influencing human decisions, or harming human lives. For example, some AI systems may use facial recognition, which is a controversial technology that can be used for surveillance, profiling, or identification, and that may have errors, inaccuracies, or biases.
Implications for the Future of Cyber Security
AI is transforming the field of cyber security, and it will continue to do so in the future. AI will bring both opportunities and challenges for cyber security professionals, who will need to adapt and evolve their skills, strategies, and policies to leverage the benefits and mitigate the risks of AI. Some of the implications for the future of cyber security are:
AI will enable more proactive and predictive cyber security, as it will help cyber security professionals anticipate and prevent cyber threats, rather than react and respond to them. AI will also enable more adaptive and resilient cyber security, as it will help cyber security professionals adjust and recover from cyber attacks, rather than suffer and succumb to them.
AI will also create more complex and dynamic cyber security scenarios, as it will enable cyber criminals to launch more sophisticated and effective cyber attacks, such as AI-generated phishing emails, AI-powered malware, or AI-facilitated data theft. AI will also create more ethical and legal dilemmas, as it will raise questions about the privacy, fairness, or accountability of AI systems, and the responsibility, liability, or authority of AI users.
AI will also require more collaboration and coordination among cyber security stakeholders, such as governments, businesses, academia, or civil society. AI will require more standards and regulations, such as guidelines, frameworks, or laws, to ensure the security, quality, and ethics of AI systems. AI will also require more education and awareness, such as training, certification, or communication, to ensure the competence, confidence, and trust of AI users.
