From entertainment to travel and hospitality, there are few industries that are not hopping on the proverbial Artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon. Undeniably, AI technologies have taken center stage, with many looking to leverage the promise of its capabilities. Many AI tools vow to improve everything from farming to education and medicine, but are some of those expectations inflated? And while AI is a great tool that can make the jobs of humans easier, attackers are also using these technologies. So what do security teams need to understand about AI for cybersecurity? To learn more about the ways in which AI can revolutionize cybersecurity, RSA Conference and MeriTalk conducted research which has been published in a report, The Art of Human and AI Teaming in Cybersecurity noting that human-AI collaboration is critical for the future of effective cybersecurity strategies.
AI for Cyber: A Look Forward
To better appreciate the different perceptions of AI for cybersecurity as well as the recommendations for embracing new technologies while mitigating risk, MeriTalk and RSA Conference surveyed 100 Federal and 100 private sector cybersecurity decision-makers and found that only one in three leaders said their organization is currently using AI for cyber though 80% of respondents believe that accelerating AI adoption will make their organizations more resilient against cyber threats.
The report reflects that only one-third (33%) of leaders in both the public and private sectors feel well-prepared to address new AI-driven threats. Still, they are thinking strategically about AI implementation. When asked what steps they would like to see their organizations take to advance AI capabilities in cyber in the next 12 months, 48% said they hope to both improve collaboration with external AI security experts and partners and expand workforce education and training.
Top AI-Driven Threats
Survey respondents also offered advice for cybersecurity professionals emphasizing the need for both responsible use and realistic expectations. Indeed, innovation is the cornerstone of evolution. The future holds great promise, which is both exciting and at times a bit scary. When asked about the AI-driven attacks that pose the greatest threat to their organizations, 52% of respondents identified AI-generated malware and exploits as the top threat with 50% citing deep fakes manipulating audio/video content as the number two concern.
One private sector cyber leader said, “We have to figure out a way to put governance and containment around the use of this disruptive technology, but at the same time support innovation. Innovation is ‘implementation, failure, adjustment,’ … and the faster we do that, the more innovative we can be.”
Consider This: Thinking About an AI Implementation Strategy
The report recognizes the benefits of improved threat detection, increased efficiency, and accelerated incident response that can come from incorporating AI technologies; however, it also cautions that safety, ethics, and responsible development must not be ignored. Human communication and collaboration should be part of any AI implementation strategy. Establishing an AI Cyber Council is one way to work toward this goal. If that’s not feasible, consider ways that your organization can leverage interdisciplinary teams that bring together those with AI/ML and traditional cybersecurity expertise.
As technology continues to evolve, it’s paramount to invest in your team’s continuous learning while also managing expectations about the capabilities and limitations of all tools. Remember that you can embrace change without blindly trusting new solutions. To learn more about perspectives on The Art of Human and AI teaming in Cybersecurity download the full report.