The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security

Cyber security risks have increased tremendously with the rise in the digital market. New cyber-security solutions are being developed and launched regularly by web developers for beating these cyber-criminals but, these tech-savvy hackers continue to find security lapses to penetrate networks. 

The failure of these security solutions to patch all the lapses has given rise to Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is the intelligence exhibited by machines (computers) instead of humans. In brief, the tasks which comprise human intelligence are smartly carried out by machines. 

When this artificial intelligence in cyber security is joined with other human security solutions and defensive tools, the security vulnerabilities tend to fend off.  

This technological grouping is capable of monitoring and analyzing unlimited data, tracing varied cyber-threats ranging from viruses, malware, and other malicious menaces that cause phishing attacks and preventing them. Proving to be better and faster than human intelligence, Artificial Intelligence is the new thrill in cyber security.

When all the core functions of AI are defined for maximum cyber security, they are bound to be a strong barrier against attackers. 

Core Capabilities of AI

System Security

It should include network security, cloud security, and loT security.

Data Security

It should include threat prediction, cyber security analysis, social network security, and detection of insider threats.

Application Security

It should include data privacy, detection of spam, and appropriate decision-making.

So, now that you are aware of the expanse of AI security, let’s check out the growing benefits of AI within the cyber realm.

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security

Cyber-attacks are gaining momentum, and AI machine intelligence can help track these cyber-criminals, detect these cyber-threats, and respond quickly compared to manual security solutions or humanly developed software.

Threat Detection

The new malware and cyber-threats evolve daily, whose tracing becomes a tough call for conventional software systems. However, AI can resolve this issue by tracing most cyber threats and suspicious activities within a short time.

AI scans your systems using the latest algorithms and detects cyber threats before penetrating the systems. Their superior foresight with NLP (natural language processing) organizes the entire data. 

Their intelligence to detect malicious behaviour and threat prevention strategies help keep cyber-criminals away from your network and systems.

Battling Bots

Bots are everywhere on the internet, and they come in the form of hackers using stolen credentials, fake websites, fake emails, fake accounts on social media, etc. 

Bot attacks are increasing with the rise in data available on the dark web gained by breaches and frauds. They can be threatening, and recently automated bots have been introduced by hackers, which are difficult to prevent with human intervention.

AI combined with machine learning can easily distinguish the good bots from the bad ones and prevent these disastrous bot attacks.

Predicting Risk of Breach

AI systems also play a pivotal role in predicting the risks, i.e., they can predict when a breach will happen, the cost of the breach, and how to recover those losses. 

Considering the IT asset inventory and deciding the threat exposure, these AI systems can predict how the breach occurs and where your device can be breached. 

This prediction obtained from AI analysis can help you patch up the weak spots in your systems and devices, enforce proper controls, and enhance your organization’s cyber strength.

Strong Endpoint Protection

A study by Ponemon Institute (2020) indicates that 68% of the companies experience one or more endpoint attacks. Many organizations resort to remote working for better productivity and saving expenses. But working remotely on various devices has increased the risk of open endpoints, which are a luscious target for attackers to penetrate systems. Sophisticated attackers combine AI with bots and other malicious techniques to infiltrate endpoint security controls and access an organization’s systems. 

AI and machine learning are trying to improvise endpoint security by establishing a specific pattern based on training. If the pattern differs, AI flags a warning notification to the concerned IT personnel.

This proactive action proves successful in preventing breaches.

Apart from the above benefits, AI also helps forecast and hunt cyber threats, analyze them, and investigate them. Furthermore, AI also helps retrieve compromised systems, work on the cause of a breach, and strengthen the cyber security system.

What Cyber Security Executives Think About AI?

It’s proven that hackers are already combining AI with their attack strategies to cause disasters. These AI-Wielding hackers use it to create nastier ransomware for the maximum spread, automated attacks for quick system penetration, AI-powered phishing e-mails to create unique fake emails, AI fuzzing to trace system vulnerabilities, etc. 

Research by Capgemini Institute indicates how AI is essential for the cyber security of modern organizations. 

Surveys taken from 850 cyber security employees and IT teams spread across ten countries suggest the implementation of AI to prevent cyber-attacks.

Key Takeaways of the Report

• Three out of the four surveyed employees find AI responses much quicker to prevent breaches.
• 69% of the companies stated that AI is essential for shielding cyber-attacks.
• Three out of the five companies confirm the use of AI to boost cyber security analysts’ accuracy and prevent threats.

Complex networks and huge data compel humans to use AI to reduce data complexities and ensure strong cyber security.

Disadvantages of AI in Cybersecurity

Each security has its downside, which gives benefit to the opposite party. Even AI has a few cons, which are beneficial to hackers.

• AI needs more finances and resources for implementation.
• Since AI systems function as per data sets, organizations require unique data sets of compromised and non-malicious codes and other anomalies. This is time-consuming and requires heavy investments, which can be difficult to manage for many organizations.
• Sometimes large enterprises overload AI with huge data and systems, which cause incorrect results. These incorrect results can cause wrong predictions and lapses in the security infrastructure.
• The use of AI by attackers enhances the impact of their attacks and their financial impacts.

Best Tools for Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

Various tools use multiple AI algorithms to ensure strong cyber security. They are:

Symantec’s Targeted Attack Analytics (TAA)

TAA analyses data threats within the network and is used by Symantec to detect security lapses from 1400 organizations and trace 140 hacking groups. 

Sophos’ Intercept X Tool

Intercept X tool provides the best endpoint protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, and other exploits. It reviews the file or data in-depth and can instantly recognize whether the file is safe or compromised within a few milliseconds.

IBM QRadar XDR

IBM QRadar XDR is a detection and response solution which leverages AI to detect threats and respond instantly.

Vectra’s Cognito

Vectra’s Cognito Detect for networks traces hackers who have invaded your security perimeters before they can start roaming and damage your systems. 

It detects hidden strikers by using behavioural detection algorithms to trace suspicious activities in loT devices and data networks by navigating logs, cloud storage, and other network data.

Darktrace Antigena

Darktrace Antigena, along with AI algorithms, helps trace the cyber-threats by doubling the function of digital cyber security solutions and nullifying their impact. 

It detects suspicious behaviour quickly (detects and responds to ransomware in 10 seconds) and interrupts their speed, thus decreasing their effectiveness.

Best Cyber Security Practices

Apart from utilizing the blend of AI and cyber security solutions to create a powerful web security solution, there are different cyber security practices that help secure your web.

SSL/TLS Protocol

Out of the different cyber security protocols, this digital security protocol encrypts the browser-server data exchange and secures the same from hackers with 256-bit encryption algorithms.

A majority of the popular browsers support this popular protocol. It portrays the status of a secured site by displaying HTTPS (hyper-text transfer protocol secure) in the URL and a tiny padlock in the address bar.

Example: If you are looking for a cost-effective yet premium SSL cert to secure your website, we suggest perusing the many available options available in the cybersecurity market. Some such affordable yet exceptional options include Comodo PositiveSSL Certificate, RapidSSl Certificate or AlphaSSL certificate. Robust encryption and good warranty are some of its positives.

• Use of Firewall: Creates a barrier between your web data and cyber-criminals.
• Employee Training: Helps in keeping them updated about the latest security threats and their solutions.
• Using Secured Password Practices: MFA (multi-factor authentication) and complex passwords help secure the web.
• Conducting Regular Data Backups: Backups ensure data retrieval immediately in emergencies.

Final Words

Since the web security reach for humans is limited, AI helps expand the same and enhance the performance of the cyber security team. 

AI algorithms and cyber security solutions have doubled over the years, and when both these digital securities are combined, they can prove to be successful in combating dangerous cyber-threats.