Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence is defined as the ability of a computer program to learn and reason, and also involves a machine doing something typically associated with the intellect of a human. Over the years it has become a strong part of cybersecurity best practices as AI helps predict cyberattacks before they take place. AI creates better plans to protect firms from cyberattacks and helps mitigate them before they wreak havoc on the firm’s IT infrastructure.

But what if cyber attackers use artificial intelligence to create more sophisticated cyber threats that can penetrate even the best cybersecurity systems and strategies?

There are several reasons more artificial intelligence firms should focus on cybersecurity. In this blog post we will explore the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence in the Cybersecurity domain.

Pros of AI in Cybersecurity

1. AI can process large volumes of data

One of the key advantages of AI in cybersecurity is its ability to process an enormous amount of data with assembly-line efficiency organizations that use it. This allows AI to automate the creation of algorithms to detect cybersecurity threats across a broad range of elements in the IT network including emails, visited websites, third-party applications, shared files, and more.

AI currently has its limitations and can self-adapt to a limited degree until additional programming is added. However, AI does not substitute IT staff. Instead, AI in cybersecurity supports network analysts by separating dangerous network behavior from benign activity easily and quickly. It allows network analysts to restrict inquiries to the former and enables the program of AI to fix the activity moving forward. As AI experiences further advancements, humans will help AI become more intelligent and help humans in return.

2. Algorithms learn with time

AI-driven programs learn with algorithms like machine learning and deep learning- they acknowledge many trends and expect changes. The algorithm then clusters them together once they are identified so possible threats with similar characteristics can be detected and removed.

AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions are familiar with general network traffic and can detect any changes that arise to eliminate the risks. Such algorithms can also help IT security professionals detect cyber-risks and mitigate them before they cause damage to the firm.

3. AI detects novel security risks

AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can detect new, unknown threats along with detecting threats that have occurred within the network and known threats that have not. Because hackers specialize in developing ways to enter undetected networks and catch businesses off guard, this feature of AI can eliminate or drastically minimize the consequences of an advanced hacking technique that is yet to be classified explicitly and clarified by cybersecurity annals.

ZDNet predicts hackers will gradually initiate four new forms of attacks and will invent attack methods to become less detectable. These new attacks include crypto-jacking, Internet of Things (IoT) computer attacks, cross-site scripting, and mobile device-targeting malware attacks. AI in cybersecurity provides the ability to rapidly process enormous volumes of data which allows it to recognize new cyber-threats such as these and poses a formidable barrier to the most well-planned cyber-attacks.

4. AI offers 24/7 coherent security

To track network security year-round, artificial intelligence with cybersecurity is a brilliant combination. Cyber-attackers do not keep regular business hours and their attacks are conducted from different time zones. Monitoring the IT infrastructure around the clock is a must to detect malicious entities and attempted network breaches in real-time rather than the beginning of the next business day.

IT workers posted in shifts to track network security is neither cost-effective nor reliable compared to using an AI-powered cybersecurity solution. Third-party cybersecurity solutions are a more feasible option but these solutions come at a reasonable monthly price. AI's cyber threat detection and diagnostic capabilities are remarkably detailed and definitive versus what could be provided by human involvement alone.

Integrating artificial intelligence and cybersecurity allows enterprises to make more productive use of human capital. Allowing AI-enabled cybersecurity applications perform security diagnostics and providing IT security staff to review legitimate threats diagnosed by the application allows the business to use IT staff's time, preparation, and talents more effectively and efficiently.

5. Machine learning helps to fight scams and prevents redundant procedures

To prevent spam emails and phishing scams, Google uses machine learning algorithms. Phishing is a social engineering attack in which hackers trick users by posing as a legitimate institution into providing sensitive and confidential data such as personal information, credit card, banking details, and login credentials. Algorithms from Google help recognize suspicious and malicious emails to alert and protect users. AI can also help remove duplicate processes while it’s algorithm save analysts a lot of time spent on thousands of datasets repeating the same procedures. AI allows cybersecurity researchers can work on developing algorithms or explore emerging threats.

Cons of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

1. Hackers can use AI to launch complex and large-scale attacks. AI can also help hackers effectively find and exploit vulnerabilities.

2. Biometric recognition powered by AI can be a hazard as well. Advanced scanning methods can provide third parties with accurate data on your appearance. They can also be misused for your privacy monitoring, tracking and other violations. These methods could be used by repressive countries and governments to track their adversaries.

3. At present, the cost of recruiting a team of experts to introduce AI solutions is still high. Some of these technologies are still in development phases and it is risky to rely on them completely.

4. AI has made it possible to collect and process more data than ever before, allowing third-party companies to have even more data on us that leads to added privacy and protection issues.

Final thoughts

Many organizations are ready to incorporate AI into futuristic technologies for cybersecurity. As fighting cyber-crime is an ongoing battle, AI solutions will also expand to become more successful than before. Using automated systems to combat hackers has been proven to achieve better results than manual operations.