Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in cybersecurity by mitigating threats and strengthening protection measures. As with any new technology, AI has the potential for both harm and safeguarding information against misuse. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has provided guidance on using AI for good in the cybersecurity domain.
ENISA’s reports highlight key themes for leveraging AI in cybersecurity. Businesses are already utilizing AI for various everyday activities such as data analytics, customer service assistance, and product recommendations. However, AI’s ability to detect and respond to cyber threats is what makes it a powerful defense tool when employed correctly.
One of ENISA’s recommendations is a multi-layered framework that combines existing knowledge and best practices to identify missing elements in cybersecurity processes. By using machine learning algorithms, AI can continuously learn and detect known and unknown threats in real time. It can analyze malware behavior and identify specific anomalies that traditional cybersecurity programs may overlook. Platforms like NeuFuzz demonstrate the evolving nature of AI and its applications in vulnerability searches.
ENISA emphasizes that AI systems should complement existing ICT and security systems, rather than being standalone solutions. Businesses must have effective risk management practices in place, with AI providing additional support. Accountability, accuracy, privacy, resiliency, safety, and transparency are among the factors that cybersecurity management should consider.
While traditional cybersecurity software can only detect known malicious codes, AI can prevent, detect, and mitigate more sophisticated threats such as spam, intrusion, and malware. A collaborative approach combining traditional methods and new AI-based recommendations allows businesses to stay ahead of evolving malware and technology-based threats.
The Biden administration in the United States has also issued an executive order to enhance data security, including sharing safety test results of powerful AI systems with the government, establishing content authentication guidelines, and developing AI tools to fix vulnerabilities in critical models. These regulations aim to increase the trustworthiness and security of AI models developed in the US.
Implementing a security by design approach is crucial for integrating necessary safeguards into IT infrastructure. Privacy-enhancing technologies like AI assist in this process. However, they should not be considered as a complete solution for data protection compliance. Start-ups and businesses in the early stages of cybersecurity development can benefit most from a security by design approach. Existing structures should not be overlooked, and the addition of AI can enhance functionality, processing speed, and performance.
Despite the benefits, AI is not a foolproof solution. Machine-learning AI can reflect unconscious biases in its interpretation of data, and compliance with regulations is vital. Businesses can significantly reduce costs related to data breaches by employing some form of AI in their cybersecurity management. AI-powered automated responses can also shorten the breach lifecycle, saving time, costs, and resources. The development of penetration testing tools focusing on AI vulnerabilities is essential, particularly when personal data is involved.
AI should be seen as an assistant rather than a replacement for existing cybersecurity models. Businesses must establish governance frameworks and controls for the use of AI tools to ensure data protection compliance and an effective cybersecurity framework. While caution is necessary, AI has the potential to improve cybersecurity, privacy, and provide valuable insights by analyzing data and predicting trends. Privacy and security concerns should be addressed while leveraging the benefits of AI.
In conclusion, AI plays a crucial role in bolstering cybersecurity. ENISA’s guidance provides a comprehensive framework for leveraging the advantages of AI while ensuring trustworthiness and protection. Businesses must embrace AI as a complementary tool and not solely rely on traditional models. With the right governance and collaboration, AI can enhance cybersecurity practices and provide valuable insights to businesses.
