AI: The Ongoing Arms Race in Cyber Security

While AI offers numerous benefits for enhancing cybersecurity defences, it also equips hackers with powerful tools to launch more effective and stealthy attacks. This ongoing arms race between attackers and defenders underscores the importance of continuous advancements in AI-driven cybersecurity measures.

From speaking to multiple candidates and clients in the cyber world, I've gathered the following insights:

How AI is boosting hackers' success:

1. Enhanced attack capabilities Phishing attacks: AI generates convincing phishing emails by analysing social media and online data to craft personalized messages. Malware development: AI helps create adaptable malware that avoids detection and exploits vulnerabilities more effectively. Automated attacks: AI-driven bots efficiently carry out attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).

2.       Social engineering Deepfakes: AI-generated deepfake videos and audio can impersonate individuals to gain unauthorized access or spread misinformation, as seen in a 2019 UK incident reported by the Wall Street Journal (read more).

3.       Evasion Techniques AI-Powered polymorphic malware: Constantly changing code to avoid detection. Stealthier intrusions: AI identifies and exploits less monitored paths into networks, reducing detection likelihood - In 2020, Darktrace reported several instances where attackers used AI to study and mimic normal network behaviour, making their intrusions harder to detect and allowing them to adjust tactics in real-time.

4.       Vulnerability detection Automated scanning: AI tools quickly scan code and network configurations to identify weaknesses. Predictive analytics: AI predicts potential vulnerabilities by analysing patterns and trends.

How AI is strengthening cyber defences:

1. Anomaly detection AI identifies unusual patterns or behaviours in a network to detect potential threats early. For instance, Darktrace uses machine learning to monitor normal network behaviour and spot anomalies in real-time.
2. Threat hunting and incident response AI automates threat detection and response, improving efficiency. Tools like CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform can autonomously mitigate threats.
3. Predictive analysis AI analyses historical data to predict future threats, helping organizations prepare for potential attacks.
4. Phishing detection AI uses natural language processing to detect suspicious email content and sender behaviour, reducing the risk of phishing attacks.

Ultimately, from both an attack and defence outlook, the side who are more advanced in their leveraging of AI tooling have a far higher chance of success. It will be interesting to see the impact this has on the job market within the cyber space – Will companies now be searching for candidates with a greater understanding of AI tooling rather than prioritising previous cyber security experience?

It would be great to discuss how AI has impacted professionals in the cyber space, both clients and candidates alike. Please feel free to contact me on the following details:

M: +44 7534 999999

E: sam@saragossa.co.uk