New Delhi, April 23 -- How many of you remember the popular media franchise, Transformers? The epic battles between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons have enthralled the masses for years now. But what has that got to do with AI? Well for one, with the rise of AI tools globally, we are seeing an emergence in AI-powered attacks - the Decepticons in our story, if you may. To fight off these rising numbers of "Decepticons" AI attacks, we will need to employ the help of "Autobots" AI tools in our arsenal to emerge victorious.
In our recent ThreatLabz report on the State of AI 2024, we have observed that enterprises globally are embracing new AI tools at scale - leading to a staggering 600% increase in AI/ML transactions passing through Zscaler Zero Trust ExchangeTM platform from April 2023 to January 2024. Unsurprisingly, India is generating the most traffic in the APAC region - coming in on top in the region and second globally, right after the US. This is a direct result of various initiatives by the Indian government, including investments in research and development and policy frameworks like the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and the "AI for All" strategy, as well as collaboration with international bodies such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.
However, the rapid expansion of AI tools in India leaves some room for concern, particularly due to the emergence of advanced AI-powered threats. With the help of AI's speed and efficiency, threat actors can easily bypass traditional defense systems. A notable example is the "Morris II" worm, which has the ability to steal sensitive data, distribute spam emails, and propagate malware using various methods. In response, security teams have taken immediate action by blocking AI traffic. This global trend shows that one out of every five AI transactions is now being blocked, marking a significant 577% increase from April 2023 to January 2024. However, this approach is not sustainable as it could hinder innovation and put organizations at a competitive disadvantage.
Outsmarting cybercriminals: Fighting AI with AI
Before AI usage became widespread, threat actors had to invest significant time in identifying an enterprise's attack surface and vulnerabilities in its internet-facing services and applications. However, with the introduction of AI, a straightforward prompt can now detect vulnerabilities in any organization's VPNs and firewalls within a matter of seconds. Nevertheless, there is a positive aspect to this as well, as organizations can also utilize AI to strengthen their defense systems. The crucial approach is to combat AI-powered threats with AI itself, adopting a strategy of fighting fire with fire.
Enterprises can effectively counter both AI-driven and traditional attacks at every stage by implementing AI throughout the attack chain. In the initial phase of identifying the attack surface, AI-driven insights empower enterprises to detect and address vulnerabilities in their internet-connected attack surface, thus minimizing the chances of breaches. In the compromise stage, AI plays a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access by disrupting sophisticated attacks while ensuring uninterrupted productivity.
In addition, AI-driven functionalities like phishing and command-and-control (C2) prevention offer protection against credential theft, browser exploitation, and the analysis of traffic patterns, behavior, and malware. The implementation of AI-powered sandboxing allows for the immediate identification and isolation of highly suspicious files, all while ensuring uninterrupted user productivity, unlike traditional systems. Furthermore, AI can effectively address web-based threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing without resorting to unnecessary blocking, thereby reducing the number of help desk tickets and enhancing overall web security.
Smart strategies, Strong security
To optimize their AI strategies, organizations can employ several key approaches. Implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms can provide valuable insights into the utilization of AI tools across applications, domains, and data sets, offering a holistic understanding of their impact and effectiveness. Employing flexible policies enables fine-tuning of AI usage, allowing customized access controls and segmentation based on the level of risk associated with specific applications. This not only enhances security but also improves overall efficiency. Additionally, implementing granular data security measures is crucial in preventing potential leaks of sensitive information from AI applications. Incorporating controls like Browser Isolation adds an extra layer of protection by restricting certain actions within AI applications, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the security of sensitive data.
Anchoring ethics: Charting a course through AI guidelines
As AI continues to reshape various industries, enterprises must approach its implementation with careful consideration and forward-thinking. It is crucial for businesses to consistently evaluate and address the risks associated with AI-powered tools in order to safeguard intellectual property, personal data, and customer information. Compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards, including data protection regulations and privacy laws, is of utmost importance. Transparency is also key, necessitating the clear communication of the purpose and justification for using AI tools to stakeholders, while establishing clear accountability for the development and deployment of such tools.
Furthermore, it is essential to develop a comprehensive policy framework that encompasses the enterprise-wide use, integration, and development of AI tools, as well as security and data policies, and employee best practices. This framework should strictly prohibit the inclusion of personally identifiable information or any sensitive data in AI models and emphasize the indispensable role of human judgment in decision-making.
By harnessing these capabilities, enterprises can establish a robust security framework that effectively protects sensitive information and promotes responsible AI usage throughout their operations. In this rapidly evolving landscape, it is crucial for leaders to perceive AI as a catalyst for progress rather than a source of risk. Through embracing strong security measures, adhering to ethical principles, and leveraging AI for defense, we can ensure that AI empowers a future that prioritizes security and inclusivity for all.
The path forward is clear: let AI empower the potential of data, not the occurrence of breaches.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.