Will artificial intelligence be the end of us,
or will it significantly improve our lives? Well, it can be both.
I’m Masha from Coding Blonde, and today we’re going to talk about
machine learning and artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.
We’ll discuss the benefits and challenges of AI, the role of AI in cybersecurity,
and how criminals may abuse this technology.
So, cyberattacks have been increasing in frequency
and scale for a few years now. We saw a sharp jump since the start of the pandemic.
With data security in more danger now than ever, it’s no surprise
that more and more companies are turning to artificial intelligence for digital protection.
But first, what is artificial intelligence?
AI is intelligence displayed by machines rather than living creatures.
Machine learning is a subcategory of AI that enables programs to
identify patterns and apply them in problem-solving.
AI and machine learning can be indispensable in cybersecurity:
AI can predict and fend off cyberattacks more accurately than people since it can process
enormous amounts of data fast. It also frees up employees to focus on other, more complex tasks.
Machine learning can be very effective against malware. It can scan massive databases of
existing malicious software and block an attack if a new, modified version of it surfaces.
AI is also great at network monitoring. Machine learning can determine typical user behaviors and,
when something out of the ordinary happens, flag it as a potential threat.
AI also plays a significant role in biometric authentication,
which can eliminate the need for passwords. That can be good news since a staggering 80%
of data breaches are linked to weak passwords.
Most importantly, it detects potential threats immediately,
enabling cybersecurity experts to react fast.
AI can help deal with critical vulnerabilities 40% more quickly.
But AI isn’t necessarily the all-powerful solution to end cyberattacks. It poses challenges too:
First of all, artificial intelligence is not invincible. Some tasks performed by AI can be
manipulated if hackers get access to them. For example, an AI program could be tricked
into labeling dangerous software or user behavior as safe — or the other way around.
Biometric authentication can also be dangerous.
Biometric information in the wrong hands can be used for surveillance
and other infringements of our privacy. And unlike passwords, you can’t change your biometric data.
This brings us to another problem. The AI technology has enabled companies to
collect and process more data than ever before. As a result,
it will probably contribute to further deterioration of digital privacy and security.
Another challenge that AI poses is how expensive it is to implement. Since a lot of AI technology
is still experimental, the cost associated with it may be too high for many companies.
And what if criminals use AI? This powerful technology can
enable hackers to carry out bigger and more sophisticated attacks very quickly.
Like network monitoring and learning patterns of user behavior,
criminals can also apply machine learning to determine
why certain cyberattacks were unsuccessful and create more powerful and effective attack models.
AI can also be used to create malware that resembles trusted software.
It can be used to learn about the target network’s patterns
and execute dangerous attacks without ever being detected.
Hackers can also exploit AI for more powerful brute force attacks with deep learning.
When researchers gave AI millions of leaked passwords and tasked it to generate new ones,
the program had an alarming 26% success rate.
So will AI take over cybersecurity? It certainly will have a more prominent role in the digital
security industry in the upcoming years. The AI market is projected to reach $38.2 billion in 2026
from last year’s $8.8 billion. And with it being as powerful as it is,
AI is becoming an integral part of the cybersecurity industry.
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