AI in Cyber Security
Applications of AI in Cyber Security
To keep up with the cyber attacks which are evolving day by day, automating threat detection is needed to tackle issues in a smarter way than traditional software driven approaches. In most of the organizations, there is a shortfall in skilled security professionals and this has led to expose a vast attack space within the organization. Incorporating AI can solve most of these challenges. Let’s find out how AI has been used to ensure cyber security.
- Vulnerability management
In traditional security solutions, actions are taken after vulnerabilities appear while in AI-based approaches detect vulnerabilities proactively. It detects potential vulnerabilities by analyzing patterns.
- Advancements in authentication.
Most of the organizations use passwords for authentication purpose. However, not all the people create strong passwords which makes the entire system vulnerable. With applications of AI such as biometric authentication, more secure authentication can be done because cyber criminals cannot access the systems using them.
- Behavioural analysis
Cyber attacks can be prevented by
using behavioural analysis. If the patterns of users’ working behaviour are
captured, it will be able to find when a malware is introduced to the system since
the working behaviour will be changed. Abnormalities such as change in the typing
speed, abnormal use of internet can be detected with AI.
Controlling Phishing and Threat
Hunting are two common applications of AI. In phishing, login credentials are
captured by the attackers and malware are introduced to the system. These
phishing sources can be detected by AI. After detecting, the system is
preparing for the defense. AI can detect phishing patterns according to the
geographical location as well. Traditional security programs are capable of
detecting attacks that are commonly appearing. Those programs are not good at
detecting attacks that haven’t happened earlier. AI can be used to detect these
new threats quickly.
AI Adopters
We encounter various
applications of AI that has used to strengthen cyber security.
- Gmail
blocks spams and ensure to provide a spam-free environment.
- Google
uses Deep Learning AI on its Cloud Video Intelligence platform.
Content-based video analysis takes place and it sends security alerts when
abnormal content is found.
These are few applications
all of us encounter in our life. In the near future, AI will be adopted more in
order to ensure cyber security. However, AI will be used by cyber criminals as
well. There will come a time when AI is not bulletproof to attacks anymore.
This is a never-ending loop, but when it happens we will find more advanced and
smarted ways to protect ourselves.
Watch this video to see how AI is used in cyber security:
References
- https://blog.eccouncil.org/the-role-of-ai-in-cybersecurity/#:~:text=Combining%20the%20strength%20of%20artificial,resulting%20in%20reduced%20response%20times.
- https://www.balbix.com/insights/artificial-intelligence-in-cybersecurity/
- https://www.analyticsinsight.net/impact-of-artificial-intelligence-in-cyber-security/
Amazing writeup. Waiting to read more! 😊
ReplyDeleteNew takeaway Dulanga! Are there any drawbacks of use of AI in cybersecurity as of now?
ReplyDeleteYes Pramodi. As with any other technology, AI also has its limitations. With the advantages it has, it's costly to build and maintain an AI system. It requires a lot of computing power, memory, data and so on. So, not all can acquire these resources.
DeleteAlso, AI is not just limited to security providers. Cyber criminals also can use AI to come up with more sophisticated attacks. They can train AI resistant malware using AI. Then those malwares can learn and evolve which makes it really difficult to prevent or destroy them.
Another issue is the unavailability of sufficient amount of data. It requires a huge amount of data to train a threat detecting AI engine. Finding such data can be time consuming and costly. So everyone cannot afford them. If the system is not well evolved, it can give false detections.
And there's this non-technical drawback which is the increase of unemployment as the need of human involvement is minimal in AI-based systems.
I was imagining a situation how it will look like when an AI application is defending the systems while another AI application is trying to crack the system at the same time. :) Small question. What is the tread hunting mentioned there? Can you share the way it works with me? Btw an informative write-up Dulanga!!!
ReplyDeleteThreat hunting is referred to searching through networks in order to detect and isolate advanced threats which are avoiding existing security solutions. Normally, traditional security solutions are only good at detecting already encountered attacks. So, once a new threat comes up, those security solutions become useless. Using AI, these new threats also can be identified. So, AI-based security solutions are better at threat hunting.
DeleteHope I gave you a rough idea. You can read more here: https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/security-essentials/threat-hunting-explained
Nice writing.Keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteCool Article. AI is changing the entire industry.
ReplyDeleteGood read Dulanga!, Artificial Intelligence should come to all our modern technology as it can think more than 1000 time in human brain. what do you think?
ReplyDeleteYeah. I do agree with you. With the evolving technology, we can't even imagine what changes will technology make in the future. Some day it will develop and will surpass a human brain.
Delete