Artificial Intelligence Is Cyber Defence

Cybersecurity companies estimate that new malware variants are introduced at a daily rate of up to 390,000. With each hour that passes, at least 13,000 new files emerge. Humans simply cannot keep up with them, which is why cybersecurity analysts are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for help.

Fighting the constantly evolving and morphing threat landscape requires a combination of detection and a single view of threat data, in addition to the traditional methods of signature-based malware detection and blocking.

AI helps spot trends, patterns, and anomalies in data that the naked eye cannot discern to help identify and mitigate new types of malware.

A single view of threat data places all the relevant information in one place to empower the people on the front lines of the battle against cybercriminals, especially as attacks continue to rise.

AI Security Battle

As new malware files constantly burst into the cyber scene, an increase in cyberattacks is all but inevitable. In 2016, 638 million ransomware attacks were recorded, more than 167 times the number of incidents in the previous year.

Threats are getting more frequent, varied, and severe. But it takes only one successful try for hackers to break into a network, while defenders must successfully fend off attacks every time.

That’s no easy feat, considering that big data, social media, and the digitization of business processes create enormous volumes of data that have to be processed to find malware indicators.

Security platforms can handle thousands of events per second, but that still isn’t enough to manage the threat landscape.

On top of that, there aren’t enough experienced cybersecurity professionals to keep up with it all. Colleges have only recently started to weave cybersecurity courses into their computer science curricula. It will take some time before the cybersecurity skills gap is filled—if that ever happens, considering how fast the threat landscape changes.

In any case, cyber-criminals aren’t waiting for new people to enter the cyber-security profession to give them a fair shake.

The answer, therefore, is to train AI models to do the job of security analysts by automating manual tasks that are traditionally performed by security operations centers (SOCs).

Security teams are using behavioral analytics and machine learning capabilities to process millions of events per second and detect the subtlest hints of malware.

Use Machine Learning

The herculean task of spotting patterns and anomalies to identify new types of malware requires sifting through eye-popping volumes of data from multiple sources, including threat intelligence reports, IP addresses, white- and blacklists, and millions of endpoints.

Machine learning is helping to spot previously unknown threats, including some ransomware strains, threats traditional security tools miss because they rely on signatures, or static rules, from known malware to stop potential infections.

Most machine learning technology is supervised, meaning humans are required to continually introduce new data to train the algorithms in use. This helps refine results to keep them relevant. Going forward, the goal is to utilize unsupervised machine learning, whereby the dynamic models perform most of the work on their own.

AI brings a Single Security View

As AI security models evolve, chief information security officers (CISOs) and their staffs need a straightforward way to review data so they can act on it. Just as organisations benefit from a single view of all their data, from internal processes, customers, partners, and supply chains, so do security teams when preparing cyber defenses.

A single view lets security teams access all threat data in one place, including the results produced by machine learning models. Using one dashboard, cyber-security professionals can review, at a granular level, all data samples flagged as potential malware.

This will help them discern good from bad. If something is bad, security teams will be able to determine what makes it so, and build behavioral profiles and tailored responses to protect against the threats.

An aggregate view of threat data allows cyber-security professionals to focus on risks in addition to responding to threats. They can figure out what causes and constitutes risk, and how to make realistic predictions of incremental risk going forward. As such, security professionals are better able to make a case to the C-suite for the necessary security investments.

Without a single view, it’s tougher to make sense of an organisation’s ever-increasing volumes of threat data and spot some of the subtlest threats.

With that in mind, organisations should consider integrating their AI security initiatives with a single view to better protect themselves against an increasingly dangerous threat landscape.

HortonWorks:

You Might Also Read: 

AI Will Underpin Cybersecurity:

AI Cyber Attacks Will Be Almost Impossible For Humans to Stop:

« Cybercriminals Use Fake Websites
Combating The Threat Of Malicious AI »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Logicalis

Logicalis

Logicalis are a leading provider of global IT solutions and managed services.

ControlCase

ControlCase

ControlCase provide solutions that address all aspects of IT-GRCM (Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Management).

CERT-UA

CERT-UA

CERT-UA is the national Computer Emergency Response Team for Ukraine.

Digitronic Computersysteme

Digitronic Computersysteme

Digitronic focus on innovative software to protect your personal and sensitive corporate data.

ecsec

ecsec

ecsec is a specialized vendor of security solutions including information security management, smart card technology, identity management, cloud computing and electronic signature technology.

Zeguro

Zeguro

Zeguro provides complete cybersecurity risk assessment, mitigation and insurance, allowing you to easily manage your cyber risk.

Learn How To Become

Learn How To Become

At LearnHowToBecome.org, our mission is to help any job-seeker understand what it takes to build and develop a career. We cover many specialist areas including cybersecurity.

Industrial Cybersecurity Center (CCI)

Industrial Cybersecurity Center (CCI)

CCI is the first center of its kind that comes from industry without subsidies, independent and non-profit, to promote and contribute to the improvement of Industrial Cybersecurity.

Kasada

Kasada

Kasada has developed a radical approach to defeating automated cyberthreats based on its unmatched understanding of the human minds behind them.

Nexum

Nexum

Nexum takes a comprehensive approach to security, from detecting and preventing network threats, to equipping you with the information, tools and training you need to effectively manage IT risk.

boxxe

boxxe

boxxe create flexible IT infrastructures, collaborative global workspaces and data clarity, all underpinned by world-leading security.

Slamm Technologies

Slamm Technologies

Slamm Technologies is a trusted IT firm that offers Cyber Security Support, Corporate IT Solutions and Professional IT Training courses with international certification.

Phylum

Phylum

Phylum provides powerful, automated software supply chain risk analysis that protects organizations, defends developers and enables secure innovation.

SIGLA Group

SIGLA Group

SIGLA Group specialize in the design and development of IT and OT solutions, from analysis to design, from implementation to commissioning, as well as consultancy, training and assistance.

Oasis Security

Oasis Security

Oasis is the market leading platform for non-human identity management. Our mission is to fortify cybersecurity defenses by enabling enterprises to efficiently secure non-human identities.

Black Belt Secure

Black Belt Secure

We provide critical cybersecurity services such as managed security, ransomware mitigation, penetration testing, system auditing and compliance services to your organization.