AI tools have been adopted by both cybersecurity teams and cybercriminals to augment their capabilities and become more efficient. Cybercriminals use AI in many ways, including improving brute force attacks, writing malicious code, generating fake websites, deepfakes of video and voice, and writing improved phishing and scam messages. Cybersecurity companies utilize AI to improve monitoring, implement user behavior and pattern recognition, and reduce alert fatigue from existing security tools.
AI security is the practice of utilizing AI driven tools and technology to protect your business from potential threats and vulnerabilities. It is commonly used in many modern detection and response methods, such as Network Detection and Response, Endpoint Detection and Response, Managed Detection and Response, and Endpoint Protection.
Understanding AI Security Challenges
AI tools can vary greatly in their efficacy. Some are best for pattern recognition, while others have been equipped with more advanced capabilities. Not all AI tools are equal, and it’s important to learn the differences between AI tools you source from vendors to ensure they meet your expectations. More advanced AI systems can not only recognize patterns, but learn your network and compare events with pre-established norms. They can also use previous data to truly learn and recognize signs of an attack even if it is new and has never been seen before.
The Role of Detection and Response in AI Security
Detection and response are crucial components of AI security. They help identify and mitigate threats in real-time. When enhanced by AI, detection and response tools can quickly sift through alerts and help reduce the amount of false positives. They can also recognize small signs and patterns that humans might miss, and ones that could be indicators of compromise.
A few examples of detection and response security controls that are increasingly utilizing AI include:
- NDR - Monitors network traffic for malicious activity.
- EDR - secures endpoints, such as user devices, against potential threats.
- MDR - provides a comprehensive security solution, often managed by a third-party provider.
Network Detection and Response (NDR)
Once a potential threat is detected, NDR solutions can respond in real-time. This rapid response can prevent or mitigate damage from cyberattacks. AI is being paired with NDR to help extrapolate data and analyze user behavior to show where cyberattacks are likely to occur before they actually happen.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
By monitoring endpoints, EDR can detect and respond to threats before they infiltrate the network. AI is being used increasingly to monitor these endpoints and filter through thousands of notifications to increase response times and accuracy.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
MDR provides a comprehensive security solution that relies increasingly more on AI, especially in the Security Operations Center (SOC), where most of the devices are managed. AI tools might be utilized not only in the SOC, but also in the endpoints and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. Security analysts are becoming more and more familiar with AI tools, and they are being used to help security analysts be more productive, due to the severe shortage of qualified cybersecurity staff who can do these jobs properly.
How to Incorporate AI Security Into Your Infrastructure
There are many vendors that have AI integrated into their product offerings. It can significantly enhance your cybersecurity posture by automating threat detection, response, and vulnerability management, while helping to identify insider threats, detect phishing attempts, and protect data in cloud environments. Keep in mind that AI is not perfect. Especially today, there is a lot of human intervention that needs to be involved. AI is currently best used as a companion tool that enhances your productivity and removes some of the more manual, monotonous tasks from your security analysts.
AI Security Through MSSPs
A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) Like Hughes can help you incorporate AI security into your infrastructure with strategic partnerships. MSSPs partner with the best providers to give their customers a comprehensive security stack that meets their needs. They have already done the research, vetted and tested partners, and can provide suggestions on which tools and methods would work best for your business, implementing a custom, tailored approach that you won’t find from individual vendors.