Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances the capabilities of various IT solutions. Companies can leverage the power and functionality of AI to address multiple aspects of their IT environments. Organizations typically use AI tools to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and support operational efficiency.
One of the most critical applications of AI technology is to enhance a company’s data security measures. Businesses must protect their valuable data resources from loss or corruption perpetrated by external or internal threat actors. The effective use of AI can be a significant factor in securing an IT environment.
Why AI Tools Are Necessary For Enhanced Cybersecurity
External threat actors have adopted increasingly sophisticated methods to attack corporate IT environments. In some cases, they are leveraging AI technology to develop attacks that evade detection from traditional cybersecurity measures. The following types of cyberattacks can be devastating to a company, its employees, and its customers.
- Ransomware – Ransomware attacks encrypt business-critical data and hold it for ransom. Cybercriminals may steal data and threaten to release it publicly if their victims do not meet their demands. They may also intentionally corrupt backup media to hinder recovery efforts.
- Phishing and social engineering – These attacks attempt to deceive message recipients into divulging their login credentials or downloading malware by clicking on a malicious link.
- Software supply chain attacks – Hackers may infect third-party software tools to gain access to and infect multiple IT environments.
- Zero-day exploits – Threat actors may launch attacks on previously unidentified security vulnerabilities that are very hard to detect with traditional cybersecurity solutions.
- Deepfakes – Cybercriminals can launch sophisticated and convincing phishing attacks using AI to create deepfake audio or video, tricking users.
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs) – APTs are stealthy attacks that can evade detection and remain unobserved in an environment for extended periods, stealing and corrupting data.
- Insider threats – Data loss and corruption can also result from activities initiated by malicious or unintentional insider threats. Traditional cybersecurity measures often provide insufficient protection against these kinds of threats.
How Artificial Intelligence Enhances Data Security
AI provides companies with advanced security capabilities to address various threats and risks to their IT environment and valuable or sensitive data. AI cybersecurity tools and solutions can be instrumental in improving the following aspects of a company’s cybersecurity posture.
Threat detection and prevention
Threat detection and prevention are essential components of comprehensive cybersecurity. The more effective method of protecting the IT environment is to identify and eliminate threats before they cause damage. AI systems can analyze large volumes of data in real-time, providing enhanced threat detection and prevention compared to traditional methods. The following are specific ways an AI solution improves cybersecurity.
- Anomaly detection – AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms are adept at detecting anomalies that may indicate a security issue. The systems learn baseline behavior and refine their ability to identify potentially dangerous abnormalities and deviations in real time. This capability helps detect zero-day vulnerabilities before threat actors can exploit them.
- Predictive analytics – AI uses historical data and predictive analytics to identify and address vulnerabilities before they impact the environment. The tools can identify the most likely and vulnerable targets, allowing companies to strengthen their security measures proactively.
- Threat intelligence and pattern recognition – AI can process threat data more quickly and efficiently than human security analysts. The tools perform pattern matching across multiple intelligence feeds and sources combined with internal telemetry to identify known threats that may affect the environment. AI solutions can detect APTs that may evolve to remain hidden.
- Automated monitoring – AI tools can continuously monitor the IT environment more accurately and faster than human security teams. ML and AI can help reduce false alerts, enabling security analysts to focus on real issues.
- Endpoint detection and response – AI cybersecurity solutions can integrate endpoint data to detect the lateral movement associated with APTs and other malware variants. The tools can autonomously quarantine affected systems to prevent effects in the broader environment.
Automated incident response
AI cybersecurity solutions can respond to threats autonomously, reducing response time and mitigating damage to the environment. The tools can help teams develop and execute effective responses to complex threats. AI systems can automatically flag and isolate suspicious files, allowing security teams to investigate them.
Data loss prevention
AI solutions provide enhanced data loss prevention (DLP) by protecting resources from unauthorized access. Tools can monitor communication and file transfers to ensure that sensitive information is not leaving the environment. AI also performs contextual analysis of data requests to determine abnormalities that may indicate the presence of threat actors.
DLP tools can eliminate accidental data loss by restricting user access to sensitive resources and generating security alerts. AI can play a crucial role in mitigating insider risks and protecting valuable systems and data.
Considerations with AI in Cybersecurity
Companies implementing AI in cybersecurity need to consider the following factors.
- AI tools are dependent on their training data. Incomplete or inaccurate data can lead to incorrect threat detection and assessment.
- Decision-makers must manage AI tools to ensure that the degree of monitoring typically performed does not compromise user privacy.
- Threat actors are also using AI to create more sophisticated attacks that may require AI solutions to counter effectively.
How VAST Can Help Your Company Leverage AI Cybersecurity Technology
We can help your company strengthen its cybersecurity posture in several ways, including implementing targeted AI solutions.
Our security lifecycle review uses Palo Alto Security Life Cycle Review to gain a comprehensive understanding of your current security status. Our professional services team will help you address any identified vulnerabilities and develop a strategy to keep your data safe on-premises or in the cloud.
VAST supports Bitglass cloud access security broker (CASB) to enhance cloud data protection by understanding where information resides and providing management and control of sensitive resources.
VAST’s strategic partnerships with major cloud providers and data protection vendors give us the experience and expertise required to identify the right AI-driven solutions for your organization. We’ll point you to the right AI and ML tools to address your unique business and its requirements.
Contact VAST today and start leveraging advanced AI technology to enhance your company’s data security and protect your business.
