AI Impact in Cybersecurity – Implement Cybersecurity with AI

Today, scammers no longer rely on awkwardly worded emails to lure victims into clicking on phishing links. Instead, they utilize advanced generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is capable of crafting convincing messages that can draw from personal information sourced from your social media accounts. 

Sounds scary yet? 

These AI-powered phishing scams are just the tip of the iceberg on how artificial intelligence can be misused. So, how is cybersecurity leveraging artificial intelligence to keep up? 

We’ve taken a look at the evolving AI cybersecurity landscape to help you understand how to bolster your defenses, using AI to combat the new threats. 

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cyber security?

Artificial Intelligence in cyber security refers to the use of self-learning algorithms that systematically analyze massive amounts of data to look out for patterns indicative of potential cybersecurity threats. 

It also conducts network scans to address vulnerabilities commonly exploited in cyber attacks preemptively. AI in cybersecurity helps you actively monitor, analyze, detect, and respond to cyber threats in real-time. This helps you in being proactive and not reactive while dealing with rising malicious activities. 

How does AI in cyber security work?

The overarching goal of AI in cybersecurity, as with all AI, is to mimic human intelligence, and the inherent (and almost unlimited) potential for that is significant as AI tools and techniques for threat hunting continue to evolve.

Here are some use cases on how AI cybersecurity works:

• Malware detection: AI-powered antivirus software can analyze files and identify patterns associated with known malware. It can also detect previously unseen malware by analyzing file behavior and identifying suspicious activity.
• Threat monitoring: Threat monitoring automation efficiently sifts through vast amounts of unstructured and structured data to monitor network threats. 
• Phishing Detection: AI algorithms can analyze emails and identify phishing attempts by looking for suspicious patterns, such as misspelled sender addresses or requests for sensitive information.

Now, let’s explore the advantages of AI in cybersecurity. 

Key advantages of combining Artificial Intelligence with Cybersecurity 

The primary benefit of marrying artificial intelligence with cybersecurity is that AI is predictive. Cybersecurity used to work on a signature-based detection system, comparing incoming traffic to a database of known threats or malicious code signatures; a match would prompt the system to issue an alert and take the appropriate action to mitigate it. 

This approach has become less effective over time, however, as it can no longer keep up with the continuous flood of new information technology — which is why you should consider the following advantages:

1. Excellent monitoring + analyzing

AI excels in monitoring and analyzing data, processing vast datasets at a speed surpassing human analysts.  For instance, machine learning algorithms swiftly analyze terabytes of data and detect patterns and common correlations. In cybersecurity, AI monitors behavior patterns and identifies anomalies like new user activity and irregular login patterns.

2. Better vulnerability management

AI algorithms can quickly assess vast data sets, identifying anomalies that may signal potential vulnerabilities. This enables rapid threat detection and minimizes the window of time during which systems are vulnerable.

3. Reduction in duplicate tasks/processes

The ability to streamline processes is critical to cybersecurity, where many tasks can be repetitive in nature. This can demotivate employees, leading to critical security measures being overlooked.

Here, AI-based tools provide a solution by automating overwhelming workflows, requiring only human confirmation or denial for final adjustments. Continuous monitoring and mitigation of basic security risks allow teams to assess for further vulnerabilities fully.

4. Cover more ground

AI tools expand coverage by efficiently managing multiple tasks simultaneously. It identifies hidden threats and prioritizes preventive measures. 

Leveraging machine learning accelerates threat identification accuracy, surpassing traditional methods. While human attention is typically restricted to one task at a time, AI can simultaneously address various areas, thereby broadening network visibility.

Best practices for implementing cybersecurity with AI

As a cloud-based company owner, you must first review your existing cybersecurity policies and procedures to see if there are any cases where you can enable AI.

The next step is to determine the stakeholders who will contribute to implementing your corporate cybersecurity plan, define its scope and criteria, and identify responsible parties for its execution.

Now, let’s take a look at the top 5 steps you can take to implement a good cybersecurity program.

1. Create a cybersecurity strategy

A cybersecurity strategy is an action plan that sets an organization’s direction on what to do to prevent cyber threats. It includes policy settings and other safety features to prevent the attacks. 

A good strategy would create safety and develop a strong security posture to form a cyber environment.

Steps to create a cybersecurity strategy:

• Educate your employees about the risks and best practices of cybersecurity
• Develop clear policies and training curricula to educate employees and help them to recognize threats more easily
• Enforce employee compliance with risk management strategies through access control, encryption, network security, and other measures designed to protect sensitive information
• Recognize the benefits of compliance programs; use automation tools to streamline compliance functions
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs), track trends, and regularly audit your security approach
• Create a Risk Management Framework as your first priority. This type of organization-wide program will allow your organization to identify and address high-impact risk factors quickly

The good news is that all of these steps can be easily streamlined and automated with AI-powered technologies.

2. Conduct a risk analysis

A security risk analysis is the golden standard to identify and assess the current security factors that could negatively affect your business scenario. When you conduct a security analysis, it examines the risks that your company faces and helps you make informed decisions.

For this to work, you must establish strong collaboration between various parties and data owners. However, doing this manually can prove to be trying. This is where you take the help of an automated security platform like Sprinto.

Using trusted industry standards, Sprinto helps you understand and see the real effects of security risks.

This way, you can confidently address risks like suspicious activities, make better decisions about what to focus on first and manage them organizationally. With Sprinto, you won’t overlook risks too quickly or end up with more responsibility than you can handle.

3. Update and enforce security policies

Review the chunk of your security policies and evaluate how they align with your security goals, best practices, and any other compliance obligations like GDPR or PCI DSS.

For example, configuring computer settings to require users to enter their password whenever they are away from their workstation for a specified period, such as 10 minutes.

4. Control access to sensitive data

Granting your employees access to sensitive data privileges even if they don’t need to is a risk that you are taking to increase the level of insider threats or adversarial attacks. Here are some steps to minimize the attack surface and control access:  

• Use the principle of least privilege and only grant employees access to the information they need for their jobs
• Implement two-factor or multi-factor authentication to access data. This extra layer of security requires a password and username with another form of verification, such as a code sent to a personal device, making it difficult for unauthorized users to gain access
• Electronic signatures are required before granting access to private files. This helps verify the identity of individuals and enhances document security by detecting tampering and tracking changes
• Safeguard sensitive information using encryption software. Instead of restricting access to data storage areas, encryption safeguards the information, allowing it to move securely within your network and beyond without compromising productivity

However, remember that AI technology can spot irregular data patterns, potentially signaling a security breach. This real-time detection enables swift response. 

Know that manually controlling access management is time-consuming and far too costly. Moreover, it is prone to human oversight. To make sure it is business as usual, Sprinto enables frictionless access management. It also tracks any changes and roles and notifies of any anomalies.

For more information on how this works, read our case study on How NitroPack fast-tracked compliance and strengthened security with automation.

5. Backup your data with AI

Backing up data should be a priority, especially if you are a company that deals with vast amounts of data on users and employees; your employees should be trained to update their software and backup data.

However, an AI-driven backup and recovery solution can verify system integrity, ensuring operations run smoothly and comply with regulations. It compares data sets with regulatory standards, spotting any inconsistencies. Moreover, it conducts ongoing testing, eliminating the need for sporadic manual checks.

6. Manage your passwords wisely

Password management remains important because the number of required credentials is constantly growing. This is critical when protecting your company’s and clients’ passwords.

Here are some measures you can take to ensure that the passwords are safe:

• Ensure all company passwords are securely stored so they are not saved in spreadsheets or documents. Use encrypted platforms accessible at any time.
• Manage your passwords efficiently, particularly when dealing with a large number. Specific features like folders or tags can be applied to manage and customize passwords for every team member.

• Opt for a trustworthy password manager app to generate, manage, and store complex passwords. Consider factors like trustworthiness, device compatibility, data storage location, and encryption strength (AES 256 or better).
• Designate a DRI to manage access to company passwords. This ensures controlled access and efficient management. Have backup personnel in place to avoid disruptions.

With AI – AI-driven password managers create intricate passwords, thwarting brute-force attacks. Users no longer need to devise their own passwords, which are often weak. Instead, the manager generates and stores robust passwords, lessening the chance of a security breach.

7. Perform regular cybersecurity audits

It’s not enough to have security plans; they need consistent auditing. When was the last revision made to your cyber risk management plans? Are your security documents regularly reviewed and adjusted to align with the specific requirements of each department?

A cybersecurity audit ensures a 360-degree, in-depth audit of your company’s security posture. They aim to identify any anomalies and risks affecting your system. These audits cover various areas, including:

• Data Security – reviewing network access control, encryption use, data security at rest, and transmissions
• Network Security – reviewing network & security controls, anti-virus configurations, security monitoring capabilities, etc
• Physical Security – reviewing disk encryption, role-based access controls, biometric data, and multifactor authentication to avoid a potential security breach
• Operational Security – reviewing security policies, procedures, and controls to avoid cybersecurity breach
• System Security – covering hardening processes, patching processes, privileged account management, role-based access, etc

However, cybersecurity audits can be conducted by either external cybersecurity services companies or internal security teams.

• Experienced cybersecurity professionals perform external audits using powerful tools and software to identify vulnerabilities 
• On the other hand, internal security audits are conducted by an organization’s in-house team. These internal cybersecurity teams sometimes use automation platforms like Sprinto to monitor and promptly address anomalies

8. Continuously monitor your system

Keep a constant eye on your system by continuously monitoring it for any unauthorized access or cyber-based threats. This involves watching IT systems and sensitive networks to detect rule violations or cyber security breaches.

Sprinto gathers information from different systems and conducts automated tests in the background. If any key control activities fail, the system immediately alerts you so you can take swift action.

Experience continuous monitoring in action:

Challenges of Implementing Cybersecurity with AI

It’s no secret that implementing cybersecurity is tough, as a very recent Microsoft incident drives home this point across. The company’s cloud data service faced a denial of service attack that it said made it inaccessible. 

While Microsoft dodged the attack about 10 minutes later, it highlights the fractures in even Big Tech’s security and how they face just the problems we do. 

Notably, professionals and small businesses using the cloud setup Microsoft did are as vulnerable to similar phishing attacks, malware attacks, or ransomware attacks. In other words — every organization needs AI in cybersecurity. 

The question is what pressing security challenges must they meet to pull it off. Here are 6 you should bite into:

1. Privacy concerns

One of the primary challenges in implementing AI in cybersecurity is privacy concerns. This is because AI systems gather and analyze extensive data, raising the risk of mishandling, whether through intentional breaches or accidental leaks. 

This potential misuse of information could lead to severe consequences, such as identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of abuse. 

2. Potential for hacking

Another concern regarding AI in cybersecurity is the possibility of AI systems being hacked or manipulated. As AI systems evolve to become more sophisticated and autonomous, they become vulnerable to cyber-attacks. 

Malicious actors could exploit weaknesses in AI systems to gain control over them, enabling them to make harmful decisions that could impact individuals or society at large. 

3. Resource constraints

Many companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), may lack the necessary resources to implement AI cybersecurity measures due to budget and expertise. This can result in gaps in security coverage and leave your systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

4. Integration issues

Integrating AI cybersecurity solutions with existing IT infrastructure and systems can be challenging. Compatibility issues, interoperability concerns, and disruptions to business operations may arise during implementation.

5. Human error

Despite implementing advanced AI cybersecurity technologies, human error remains a significant challenge. Employees may inadvertently compromise security by clicking phishing links, sharing passwords, or mishandling sensitive data.

6. Regulatory compliance

Organizations operating in regulated industries must comply with various cybersecurity regulations and standards.

For example, if you are handling healthcare information, then compliance with HIPAA is a must.

Meeting compliance requirements often adds a layer of complexity to your AI and cybersecurity implementation efforts and may require significant time and resources.

How can Sprinto help you with Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity programs and AI must consider the interplay of people, processes, and technology to support the transfer of established practices regarding data protection. A suitable cybersecurity approach will implement layers of protection for various devices, networks, programs, and data.

Sprinto, a SaaS-based platform, provides clients with security and compliance solutions. With a team of highly skilled professionals and cutting-edge technology, Sprinto has emerged as a leader in cybersecurity and compliance management.

Whether a business aims to scale up or improve its compliance practices, Sprinto offers peace of mind. Specifically, it assists startups and large corporations in automating evidence collection and maintaining compliance with popular frameworks such as:

• SOC 2
• CCPA
• GDPR
• HIPAA
• CMMC
• FFIEC
• PCI DSS
• NIST CSF
• ISO 27001
• ISO 27701
• NIST SP 800-53
• NIST SP 800-171

With Sprinto’s support, companies can easily map and achieve compliance with 14+ frameworks, including custom ones tailored to niche industries.

Interested to know more? Reach out, and we’ll set up a quick call.

FAQs about AI and Cybersecurity

1. What is the main challenge of using AI in cybersecurity?

Ensuring data quality remains the primary challenge. Accurate, clean, and reliable data is essential for effective threat detection and security incidents. Investing in improving data quality is crucial for creating a more secure digital environment.

2. How AI is used in cyber security?

AI-based solutions help in cybersecurity by doing two main things: Firstly, they help sort through lots of data to find strange behavior or dangerous actions, like a new type of cyber attack. It also can make tasks like managing software updates much easier by doing them automatically.

3. Can AI prevent cyber attacks?

AI and cybersecurity can quickly summarize incidents and automatically respond to them, speeding up investigations by 55%. AI-powered solutions also help find weaknesses and protect against cyber criminals and cybercrime.

4. Can AI find hackers?

Yes, AI scans lots of data to find patterns showing attacks or strange behavior. It can spot unusual activities that might mean a security problem and watch how users behave to catch unknown threats or hacked accounts.