2024-03-22 14:52:51

Confronting cyber threats in the age of artificial intelligence

The changing risk landscape and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cyber defense hold very important lessons about defending against cyber attacks.

Artificial intelligence encounters

Artificial intelligence today is doing amazing things, like helping doctors diagnose and treat diseases, spotting risky transactions that might signal fraud, improving many aspects of supply chains, and allowing streaming services to suggest what you might want to watch. But its greatest effects are evident today in cybersecurity. Specifically in cyber defense, as Guy Goodman, director of product marketing at BlackBerry, said in an interview with the Dark Reading website.

This AI is able to learn, adapt, and anticipate rapidly growing risks, making it an essential tool for protecting businesses and governments. Filtering out spam is a normal task for AI, which also has a more advanced application: driving predictive analytics and AI-powered response.

However, the future of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity is not entirely positive, especially since several signs warn of its shift towards serving the interests of attackers, and this shift is driven by the availability of artificial intelligence technology for everyone. This technology continues to strengthen organizations to build strong defenses, but in return, it provides dangerous actors with tools that allow them to engineer more sophisticated and stealth attacks.

The evolution of cybersecurity

The changing risk landscape and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity hold important aspects in defending against future attacks.

> Artificial intelligence in cybersecurity:

– The first phase (2000 – 2010): The beginning of the new millennium sparked a new era of digital transformation that affected the professional and personal aspects of people’s lives. At that time, most companies operated in tightly managed technology environments that relied on desktops, laptops, and data centers located within the company itself.

During this phase, cyber threats aimed at causing chaos and tarnishing reputation took the lead, and famous malware such as “iLoveU,” “Melissa,” and “MyDoom” caused global unrest. Financial motives also contributed to the escalation of phishing operations, and the banking “Trojan horse” program targeted an unexpected group of users.

then; Organizations defended themselves using standard security measures, such as signature-based anti-virus software and firewalls. Network security introduced improved intrusion detection systems, in addition to adopting two-factor authentication.

This phase also witnessed an increase in spam, and artificial intelligence emerged as an effective tool for defenders. Despite skepticism, this technology has demonstrated unprecedented skill in identifying and isolating suspicious messages, reducing risks, and restoring productivity, highlighting the ability of artificial intelligence to combat evolving threats.

> The second phase (2010 – 2020): During the second phase, the world witnessed a qualitative shift in the information technology infrastructure, which included an increase in software applications as a service, cloud computing, private device usage policies, and the expansion of shadow information technology into the attack area for perpetrators.

Threats have also become more complex; The “Stuxnet” virus and the high-level hacks that targeted important companies such as “Target” and “Sony Pictures” made headlines. The vulnerabilities that struck supply chains, as embodied in the Solar Windows hack, the escalation of ransomware waves, and the dumping of storage drives, increasingly emphasized the need for accurate and scalable defenses.

here; Artificial intelligence has become an urgent tool in confronting cyber attacks.

Software company Cyclancy, founded in 2012, has integrated artificial intelligence into its cybersecurity, replacing antivirus software with lightweight machine learning models. AI capabilities have grown to include anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, predictive analytics, and enhanced defense mechanisms against complex attacks.

Artificial intelligence threats and defenses

> Phase Three (2020 – present): Today, the role played by artificial intelligence in cybersecurity is undergoing another qualitative shift, as forces operating from everywhere and hyper-connected information technology systems blur traditional security boundaries and maximize the attack surface.

Also, after stages of being used exclusively as a defensive tool, artificial intelligence today has become a double-edged sword, used by attackers and defenders alike.

Popular AI tools like ChatGPT try to avoid misuse of AI, but tools like WormGPT stand out to help attackers and open up more challenges in cybersecurity.

As AI evolves, organizations must embrace its dual nature: embrace innovation to navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity.

New AI-powered threats include:

– Phishing campaigns designed using AI: Generative AI helps attackers create phishing messages that are difficult to control.

– AI-assisted target identification: Attackers employ machine learning algorithms to efficiently identify important targets.

– AI-assisted behavior analysis: AI-assisted malware can replicate user behaviors to evade detection.

– Automated vulnerability scanning: AI-powered tools make it easier than ever to automatically scan the network for gaps and vulnerabilities.

– Intelligent data storage: Artificial intelligence helps attackers select valuable information for filtering, reducing the possibility of capture.

– Social engineering with the help of artificial intelligence: Deepfake images and videos enhance the credibility of social engineering attacks.

Conclusion

The ongoing revolution in cybersecurity reveals the state of “constant innovation” in which attackers live, and the urgent need for defenders to remain vigilant and aware. Artificial intelligence is now moving to play a dual role, that of spear and shield, bringing the cybersecurity narrative back to square one and making it more complex.

Luckily; Generative AI becomes a powerful tool for defenders, providing them with a new lens for anticipating and repelling tomorrow’s threats. Hence, it can be said that the future holds great promise for people who are ready to embrace the evolving combination of cybersecurity supported by artificial intelligence.

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