Priya PatelTLDR:
Key Points:
- AI, particularly generative AI (GenAI), is being increasingly used by threat actors, elevating their capabilities to nation state level.
- AI has both positive and negative impacts on cybersecurity, with the potential to level the playing field for cyber defenders against AI-equipped adversaries.
In a recent article by Intelligent CIO Middle East, Jim Richberg from Fortinet discusses how the increasing use of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI (GenAI), is elevating threat actor capability to nation state level. This is a significant shift from a decade ago when only nation states had the data centers and computing power needed to exploit large data sets.
AI has become a double-edged sword for cybersecurity, lowering the barrier to entry for cybercriminals while also providing defenders with tools for intelligent automation and defense strategies. GenAI allows malicious actors to generate malware without programming skills, exploit software vulnerabilities quickly, and increase the sophistication of phishing attacks.
Despite the challenges posed by GenAI, there are ways for enterprises to take advantage of AI while maintaining data privacy and security. CISOs and CIOs are advised to investigate the market and work with providers committed to security, run foundational models in private environments, use retrieval-augmented generation, incorporate strict access controls, and train teams using AI models to reflect best practices and threats.
Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of being smart about using AI and ensuring that GenAI initiatives do not weaken data privacy levels. By following best practices and implementing security measures, organizations can leverage AI technology to enhance their cybersecurity defenses.
