According to the CrowdStrike 2024 Global Threat Report, 61% of all interactive intrusions involved U.S. targets. The same report states that “cloud environment intrusions increased by 75% from 2022 to 2023, with cloud-conscious cases increasing by 110%.” These statistics demonstrate two things. One is that U.S.-based companies are extremely attractive targets to bad actors, and their methods of attack are becoming more sophisticated. Additionally, the cost of cybercrime is expected to surpass $10 trillion per year by 2025.
That’s why cutting-edge cybersecurity firms like Flagler Technologies have been employing AI-powered threat detection software to stop cyber criminals from victimizing their clients. This article will explore the way AI cybersecurity applications work and how they can better protect businesses like yours.
Navigating the Cyber Threat Landscape with AI
In order to understand how AI cyber-security software works, it’s helpful to review how information attacks and defense traditionally work. A company would design a software application and, prior to deploying it, try to discover any apparent vulnerabilities. They might use internal software engineers or hire ethical hackers to test their defenses. As one might imagine, this approach is useful for discovering obvious vulnerabilities but may miss some that a creative hacker could exploit. To mitigate this threat, some companies would even go as far as issuing “bug bounties,” which are rewards for turning in undiscovered vulnerabilities.
As new vulnerabilities are discovered, the software developers rewrite parts of the code and issue security patches with their updates. It’s important to note that these cybersecurity measures are useful and still commonly employed. However, AI-assisted detection apps have changed the landscape of cybersecurity significantly.
Something that computers are better at than human beings is identifying patterns in large data sets. Consider for a moment the amount of individual actions a single employee performs in a single day’s work: logging onto their computer, opening applications, checking email, inputting data, etc. Now, multiply those actions by hundreds or thousands of employees working every day for a year: (# of employees)( average number of actions)(workdays in the year).
The number may reach millions or billions, even for small companies. Now, consider the additional challenge of collecting and processing that information, determining patterns, and looking for aberrations that might indicate a cyber attack. And that doesn’t include external users like vendors, customers, and other third parties who may need access to various parts of the system. Monitoring these activities is simply not a realistic task, even for a team of human beings.
However, an AI program can not only process an enormous amount of data, but as new information is presented, it can modify its predictions and decisions. For example, your company has an employee who travels to different time zones for work. One would expect that his login times would vary in conjunction with their different locations, and their internet connections would come from different countries.
However, it may be atypical for that employee to log into their work accounts outside of working hours from a specific location. This might trigger the cybersecurity software to request additional verifications from the employee. The best part is that it’s happening instantaneously. In an environment where even a minute or two of illegal access could have disastrous consequences, this violation is stopped immediately. This is just one simple example of how AI detection software could work for your company.
Key Benefits of AI in Enhancing Cybersecurity
The example we used in the previous section was just one way that AI cybersecurity applications can protect your data. Here is a comprehensive list of how this type of software can keep you ahead of cybercriminals:
Threat Detection and Constant Monitoring
AI programs are ever-vigilant, watching for unusual behavior and anomalies in the normal flow of traffic. They are excellent at modifying their baselines to determine the difference between threatening and non-threatening behavior.
Immediate Response to Threats
Because AI-assisted cybersecurity software is constantly running and operates at extremely high speeds, it can immediately take action against threats. For example, it can isolate a compromised system so that malware is unable to affect other parts of your network. It can also restrict access from a particular IP address. This occurs instantaneously, limiting the damage.
Zero-Day Detection
A zero-day exploit is a software vulnerability that is unknown. In other words, it’s been zero days since the vulnerability was discovered. Because AI software is not just trying to detect known vulnerabilities — it’s looking for unusual patterns, as well — it has a much better chance of identifying zero days.
Predictive Modeling
AI learns from the data it has received in the past to interpret the information it’s receiving at the moment. It also can make predictions based on this data. Organizations can bolster their defense against attacks. With some software, it will automatically move to protect against anticipated cybercrime developments.
AI Technologies Behind Modern Cybersecurity Efforts
Most cybersecurity solutions experts agree that AI technology is a key to battling the lucrative business of cybercrime. However, unlike many software applications, AI security software is not usually “plug and play.” Among the challenges of AI security implementation are:
Data Quality – In order to be effective, AI requires a large quantity of high-quality data. This can be challenging in some industries due to privacy concerns and irregular inputs.
False Reads – As AI is learning your data and usage patterns, there are likely to be false flags in both directions: legitimate uses being labeled as attacks and suspicious activity being ignored. That’s why it’s best not to rely entirely upon AI security — especially in the beginning.
Integration – Some systems may need to be upgraded to accommodate the AI threat-detection software. Additionally, the system may require patches to make it work properly.
Learning Curve – Your IT cybersecurity staff may require additional instruction and training to get the most out of the software.
Regulatory Compliance – Government agencies are often slow to adapt regulations to consider new or emerging technology. Your industry may not allow AI-powered cybersecurity applications without additional safety nets.
Managed Security Service Provider Flagler.io
Flagler Technologies is a managed security service provider (MSSP) that can help your company defeat cybercriminals with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) cyber protection. Call today to discuss this exciting new security technology with a member of our team.