E-Handbook: Employ AI for cybersecurity, reap strong defenses faster Article 1 of 3

Combat the evolving threat landscape with AI for cybersecurity

Adversaries are constantly changing their hacking techniques to bypass even the strongest enterprise security systems. Meanwhile, businesses are adopting new and advanced technologies to protect their information and other assets in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

What do these two groups have in common? Machine learning and AI are the power behind their current methods. Hackers now use AI to expedite attacks and expand their reach to infiltrate as many victims as possible. Meanwhile, enterprises must employ AI for cybersecurity via machine learning-enabled analytics, tools and detection systems.

Two-thirds of the senior infosec, cybersecurity and IT operations pros that responded to a 2019 Capgemini survey said AI will help their organizations identify and respond to critical threats faster. In addition, the majority think AI will improve cybersecurity analysts' accuracy and efficiency.

Synack, a crowdsourced penetration testing platform, reported AI-enabled security teams are 20 times more effective in protecting against enterprise cyber-risks, and that AI can indeed accelerate analysts' accuracy and efficiency. In particular, incorporating AI techniques speeds the time to evaluate a breach by 73% and the time to discover and remediate critical vulnerabilities by 40%.

These trends and statistics are expediting AI adoption rates. While only one in five companies used AI-enabled security products in 2019, the Capgemini survey reported that this number is expected to more than triple -- rising to 63% -- in 2020.

Whether for fraud, malware and intrusion detection, or application and IoT security analytics, AI's cybersecurity benefits are undeniable.

Ready to jump on the AI security bandwagon? First, check out this handbook: Expert Andrew Froehlich uncovers why AI-enabled penetration testing is key to identify, prioritize and measure the severity of cyberthreats. His next story explains how security departments can prosper from AIOps platforms that not only improve network and device visibility and monitoring, but also help quickly identify and resolve cybersecurity issues. Finally, Jessica Groopman debunks the common myth that AI replaces humans by offering three key areas where AI augments -- not displaces -- cybersecurity team members.

Don't get left behind as malicious actors use AI and machine learning to their advantage. Consider implementing the latest applications of AI for cybersecurity in your enterprise to stay ahead of the threat.