Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cybersecurity is one of the basic challenges we all face every day. We know that artificial intelligence (AI) allows us to create advanced algorithms that support the level of our security in the network. However, the same tools can be used by cybercriminals. This is especially visible in the case of using the Internet of Things (IoT) in business. In the era of intensified remote work, it is also a challenge to ensure safe access to basic data necessary for employees to fulfill their daily tasks.

Internet of Things (IoT) you should know this

In practice, we have been observing the development of IoT since 2008 and the increasing influence of this technology on the improvement of business processes[1]. What exactly is the Internet of Things? The definition is ambiguous, mainly due to the evolution that the concept has undergone since 2008. Simply put, it is an extensive network of objects (sensors, controllers, devices, computers, etc.) that can exchange data with each other without human intervention. Even at the beginning of this century, the idea in which objects could acquire their identity and participate in the exchange of information was unimaginable. With time the development of technology and the reduction of its production costs meant that the number of participants in electronic communication exceeded the wildest expectations of architects.

The concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled enterprises to access huge amounts of data and process it efficiently. The connectivity potential of many devices has been tapped on an unprecedented scale. Everything available, integral, scalable. However, it is worth talking about IoT in the context of cybersecurity. Let’s not forget that IoTs are susceptible to cyber attacks

Cybersecurity in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

In the case of the Internet of Things, cybercriminals seem to be in a better position than specialists focused on strengthening security. Why? After all, cybersecurity experts need to protect the multiple scattered targets of potential attacks. Cybercriminals want to find at least one vulnerability in this security system. And that’s enough …

It is for this reason that the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to support the protection of IoT systems. How does it work in practice? AI algorithms are used to monitor and detect unusual behavior, all deviations from the accepted standards. The occurrence of such anomalies may indicate a potential attack. But that’s not all! AI in the hands of cybercriminals can effectively “hide” the anomalies indicated above. But does the fight against cybercriminals make sense?

These problems were already underlined by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in 2020. Artificial intelligence, used in this context, can present both opportunities and challenges. You have to be aware of this, but undoubtedly artificial intelligence should be used to gain an advantage in the field of cybersecurity[2]. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• extends the possibilities of conventional activities (greater: scale, range, speed, flexibility)
• improves security system performance
• it really strengthens the protection of digital systems

It is worth asking the question: can we afford not to use the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen cybersecurity? Especially in a situation where the same technology can be used for attacks?

 What about research and statistics?

Gartner researchers provide some interesting facts and predictions about the cybersecurity of enterprises:

• 88% of management boards admit that cybersecurity is a business risk, not just an IT problem – five years ago, only 58% expressed this opinion[3]
• 85% of organizations still have primary responsibility for cybersecurity on the shoulders of the CIO or CISO (Gartner View From the Board of Directors Survey 2022)[4]
• by 2025, 50% of enterprises in sectors such as utilities and manufacturing will create a new position of director of cybersecurity, physical security and supply chain[5]
• it is estimated that by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will experience attacks on their software supply chains. This is 3 times more than from 2021.[6]

The increase in the number of cyber attacks observed today means that the value of artificial intelligence (AI) used to counteract hackers is also increasing. A report published by Acumen Research and Consulting (07.2022) estimated that:

• the global market for cybersecurity products that use artificial intelligence (AI) amounted to approximately $14.9 billion in 2021
• it is expected that by 2030. it will reach $133.8 billion [7]

Artificial intelligence (AI) used wisely in enterprises is therefore a powerful weapon in the fight to ensure cybersecurity. The estimated increase in the importance of this technology only confirms this thesis.

Cybersecurity and Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is inevitably linked to the concept of artificial intelligence (AI). The potential of this technology used to protect systems connected to the Internet against cyber attacks is rightly emphasized here. Modeling the intelligence of security systems on the basis of AI algorithms allows for the creation of more advanced firewalls than is the case with classic systems. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning methods (DL), rule-based expert systems modeling concepts – all of these can strengthen the cybersecurity of enterprises.

Artificial intelligence (AI):

• enables efficient collection, sorting and research of huge amounts of data
• makes enterprises gain access to useful information

Safe cyberspace is a postulate that can be implemented through the use of the most modern algorithms for defensive purposes. After all, effective defense against cyber attacks must respond to all possible threats and detect them early enough.

By using artificial intelligence (AI), you can reduce the costs of detecting and responding to threats in the field of cybersecurity [8]. The big benefit is also the reduction of the average time that takes place from detecting an attack to taking action to neutralize it. In practice, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), we can design security systems in such a way that they will warn and send automatic alerts about possible attacks to which the company may be vulnerable. The accuracy of the methods using AI is impressive.

Are you aware of how your company is secured?

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[1] Evans D. The Internet of Things: how the next evolution of the internet is changing everything. Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group: Cisco; 2011.

[2] https://carnegieeurope.eu/2022/09/15/artificial-intelligence-and-cybersecurity-nexus-taking-stock-of-european-union-s-approach-pub-87886

[3] https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/whose-job-is-it-to-manage-cybersecurity-hint-stop-pointing-at-the-cio

[4] https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/5-must-read-ransomware-and-cybersecurity-articles

[5] https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/develop-a-security-strategy-for-cyber-physical-systems

[6] https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/7-top-trends-in-cybersecurity-for-2022

[7] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/13/ai-has-bigger-role-in-cybersecurity-but-hackers-may-benefit-the-most.html

[8] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40747-021-00494-8