Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 44 | Page 68

FINAL WORD
attacks . For example , it ’ s not uncommon for an organisation to use 30 or more security-related point products within their environments . With such a setup , getting a big picture view of the organisation ’ s security architecture requires manual consolidation of data across the different applications .
This also leaves such organisations unable to quickly launch an effective co-ordinated response to a network-wide attack . And as cybercriminals continue to minimise their exploit times , IT security teams are left struggling to detect attacks at the same speed . In fact , the 2020 Ponemon Cost of a Data Breach Report noted that the average breach detection gap ( BDG ), which is the time between the initial breach of a network and its discovery , is 280 days . The report also found that the average cost of a data breach in the United States is US $ 8.64 million , 124 % higher than the global average ( US $ 3.86 million ). Considering this , it is more crucial than ever that organisations adopt new strategies to make sure their networks can function as cohesively as possible .
AI technology to address the cybersecurity skills gaps
A skills gap exists in the cybersecurity sector , with security leaders often struggling to bring qualified staff on board . AI-driven security experts , in particular , are even harder to come by .
This is especially dangerous when considering the fact that as AI continues to evolve , so too will the malicious uses of this technology . Organisations are now facing attacks that leverage selflearning technologies that can quickly find vulnerabilities , select or adapt malware and actively fight off the security efforts that have been put in place to stop them . And when using AI alongside emerging attack methods ( i . e ., swarmbots ), bad actors will gain the ability to break down an attack into its functional elements . These elements can then be assigned to various members of a swarm to enable interactive communications to accelerate the speed of an attack .
When working to defend against these AI-enhanced attack strategies , security teams must embrace a “ fighting fire with fire ” approach . By understanding how cybercriminals find their success and taking a few pages from their playbooks , security leaders can redesign their strategies in order to level the playing field .
Importance of AI-driven technology in cybersecurity
While AI technology can do amazing things , it can have both positive and negative implications . Cybersecurity professionals must confidently employ that same advanced technology in countermeasures to protect networks from bad actors exploiting increasingly-advanced technology . A security strategy that uses AI-enhanced technologies is vital in defending against cybercriminals , especially as networks and the attacks against them grow more complex and sophisticated . •
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