Cybersecurity used to be as simple as making sure that your firewall was working, as well as ensuring that your website was protected by encryption software.
As is the way, this is changing, due to the rise of artificial intelligence or AI software being used by hackers and malware designers. All websites now need to ensure that their online security is beyond airtight, meaning that all online businesses will likely need a security update to protect their data.
Cybersecurity Types:
Firstly, what are the different types of cybersecurity options?
In relation to online businesses, there are a few standard options. Network security includes firewalls and intrusion detection systems, such as EDR vs MDR vs XDR. These protect your business from unauthorised access and can flag suspicious activity.
Then, there is InfoSec or information security, which safeguards the integrity and confidentiality of data, whether it is stored or transmitted.
These are sophisticated systems, but as artificial intelligence or AI evolves, even these protections may come under attack and threaten your business’s online security.
The Good:
Don’t panic! As much as AI can be used to attack a business, it can also be used to defend it.
AI/ML systems have been designed to monitor network traffic, user activity, and system logs to assess what the ‘normal’ layout looks like at a business. This can be done in seconds, allowing the system to then flag anything out of the ordinary.
AI can also use data analytics to look at past attacks, assess access points, and provide data on how to prevent a similar attack based on the current system setup. This is more personalised to each business and can help you to identify the areas that cyberhackers may target quickly, and can protect your system within seconds.
The Bad:
Of course, AI is also being used by hackers, meaning that it is worth being aware of what an AI-led cyberattack can involve.
AI can now be used to create spear-phishing messages, deepfake audio, and tailored text or WhatsApp messages, meaning that rather than getting a generic email, companies that are under attack are more likely to get specific emails or messages, which have been found to increase the chance of success.
As mentioned before, AI can also be used to search an entire network for weak spots, meaning that even a tiny hole in your cybersecurity can lead to a system-wide breach and a data leak. Luckily, cybersecurity businesses are also able to use a similar system to detect issues in online defences, so it’s always best to opt for a professional insight into your company’s online cybersecurity.
The Future of AI and Cybersecurity:
AI is neither good nor bad when it comes to cybersecurity: it is just about how it is used. All cybersecurity companies are looking into how to use AI to better protect their clients from online threats and hacks, meaning that it’s unlikely that your business will fall victim to malware without it being flagged as suspicious long before the data is compromised.
So, if you are worried, contact a cybersecurity team today for an online assessment of your cyber defence systems.