Artificial Intelligence (AI) has steadily sneaked its ways into every single technological infrastructure known to us. The government utilizes its facial recognition feature to identify individual, companies are coming up with streamlined and increasingly automated business processes and software, every mobile gadget supports AI-powered apps, and the ubiquity of the Internet of Things (IoT) is tossing us into the world akin to that of The Jetsons.
However, with the increasing influence, sophistication, reach and power of artificial intelligence, the fear of its misuse for weapons and cyber-crimes is rampant. A report by Juniper Research highlighted that the AI-backed security breaches may cost companies $5 trillion by 2024.
As cyber criminals utilize artificial intelligence to refine their cyber-attacks and explore opportunities to infiltrate different systems such as gas station pumps and signaling systems of driverless cars, the security companies are also cracking down on cyber-crime with the help of AI. Therefore, artificial intelligence works for both sides of the coin.
We are here to explore if artificial intelligence will be able to counter the systematic exploitation of technology by the sly cyber actors.
AI Streamlining Cyber Security
Take, for example, Spectrum Orlando service, the entity has multiple layers of security such as data security, application software, network, perimeter, and endpoint, all of that implemented to protect its extensive infrastructure. If all those security measures are monitored by humans alone, the entire Orlando is going to end up without internet connectivity when cyber criminals with their AI-backed sophisticated methods launch an attack.
On the other hand, if Spectrum relies on the capabilities of AI-powered security backups, they will give these villainous cyber actors a run for their money.
As artificial intelligence in cyber security tend to be on guard 24/7/365 with minimal human supervision and to thwart cyber-attacks one needs to pinpoint it in the early stages and respond immediately, which may not be the case for human-based monitoring.
Machine Learning: Eyeing Threats like a Hawk
In order to counter an attack, organizations must be able to detect it as early as possible. Machine Learning, a subset of AI, has proven to be indispensable while pinpointing security threats by running data analysis.
As Machine Learning equips a computer with the capability to utilize and adjust algorithms as per the data collected in real-time in a cyber-security environment, this capability ensures that the computer picks up on discrepancies faster than any human could, and also predict an attack with great accuracy. Humans may be stretched too thin if left alone to deal with the increasing frequency of threats by cyber actors.
Moreover, conventional security measures lean heavily on past data, and cannot adapt to new and refined forms of cyber-attacks like the AI-based tech can.
AI Protecting Passwords Better Than We Ever Did
If we are honest, we are not very keen on password protection as we utilize the same password from five years ago, maintain the same password for several accounts so we don’t forget it, and a lot of the devil may care attitude. However, cybercriminals are counting on that attitude to exploit vulnerabilities found in the critical security point, which is the password. Even alternatives like biometric authentication such as the facial recognition software are riddled with flaws.
AI is aiming to increase the dependability of the biometric verification system with attempts to refine it. We have witnessed quite many improvements in face detection technology, courtesy of AI software, as it analyzes the subject’s facial features via neural engines and built-in infra-red software.
The sophisticated tech then generates a facial model by highlighting key patterns and correlations in the user’s features, despite different environments such as lighting, hairstyle, makeup, and accessories.
With an enhanced authentication software at hand, there is a very low chance for hackers to circumvent it.
Dishing the Phishing Attacks with AI
This form of attack is extremely prevalent in not only organizations but everywhere. Nevertheless, AI and Machine Learning are doing a good job at overpowering phishing as they identify, track, and respond to more than 10,000 active origins of phishing. There’s no limit to AI and ML reach in this arena as it tracks varying phishing sources all across the globe.
It accomplishes all that and alerts the organization in a significantly infinitesimal amount of time than it takes for humans as it swiftly identifies a fake website from a real one.
Less Vulnerable With AI and ML
The 2019 Vulnerability and Threat Trends report showed a jump in vulnerabilities from 14,595 to 16,412. It’s not easy for conventional systems or humans to detect and manage those vulnerabilities quickly.
But AI and ML-based systems are not that easily deterred and immediately crack down on vulnerabilities before they are breached.
Artificial intelligence has the capability to predict attacks and vulnerabilities in the system with real-time data, based on a mix of factors e.g. cyber-criminal’s activities, discussions, reputations, and patters.
So the hacker has just decided to exploit a vulnerability, but the AI quickly patches up the matter before anyone can do any harm.
To End Things Off
The cyber-criminals may be enhancing their tricks and methods to devastate their targets with the aid of AI. However, at the same time cybersecurity enhancements based on AI have been matching those threats pace for pace
There is never going to be a lag in new and unique forms of cyber threats, therefore, vigilance should always be at the forefront and there should be no leniency with improvements in AI-based security systems.