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AI and Cybersecurity in 2024: Navigating Trends and Tactics in 2024
In the fast-paced tech evolution of 2023, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and especially Generative AI emerged as a heavyweight contender, with OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft battling for AI supremacy. As we usher in 2024, the spotlight intensifies on AI's trajectory, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. Experts from industry leaders Fortinet, Google, Gartner and Splunk are unanimous in their prediction — AI will be the standout trend.
According to the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Cyber Outlook findings, nearly half of leaders concur that generative AI will exert the most significant impact on cybersecurity in the next two years. Noteworthy sectors such as cybersecurity (65%), agriculture (63%), banking (56%), and insurance (56%) prominently feature generative AI as the foremost influencer on cybersecurity.
So, what's the real story? What pivotal role will AI play in cybersecurity this year? We turned to the aforementioned experts for insights, distilling it down to four key ways AI is set to reshape cybersecurity in 2024.
1. AI-Powered Offence: Insights from Fortinet
Fortinet, a major player in cybersecurity, points out how AI is boosting cyber-attacks. Cybercriminals are using AI to make their moves smarter, from dodging security measures to creating tricky deepfakes. Experts predict the rise of AI-chained attacks, where cybercriminals use AI to make their attacks more modular and efficient. AI is also expected to play a role in generative profiling, password spraying, and the threat of AI poisoning attacks. Cybersecurity teams are advised to stay ahead by adopting advanced measures to counter these evolving threats.
Read more from Fortinet here.
2. Smart Phishing with AI: Google's Warning
Google raises a red flag on phishing attacks in 2024. Generative AI and large language models make phishing campaigns more convincing, reducing language errors and enhancing content authenticity. As attackers use AI's scalability for personalised campaigns, the potential impact on public trust is highlighted. Google's insights serve as a cautionary note, urging individuals and organisations in Singapore to stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts.
Read more from Google here.
3. GenAI Challenges: Gartner's Prediction on New Threats and Responsibilities
In the realm of GenAI, a fresh challenge emerges — malinformation. Mal-information, as defined by Media Defense, refers to distorted facts deliberately employed to cause harm to individuals, organizations, or nations. By 2028, enterprises are anticipated to invest over $30 billion, consuming 10% of marketing and cybersecurity budgets, to combat this evolving threat. To effectively address malinformation, CEOs are urged to empower a designated executive, often the CISO, reflecting the broader trend where 45% of CISOs are expected to expand their remits beyond cybersecurity by 2027. This shift is driven by both regulatory pressures and the expanding attack surface, making proactive leadership essential in countering the complexities introduced by GenAI.
Read more from Gartner here.
4. AI as Cybersecurity Assistant: A Look at Splunk's Perspective
Splunk, a renowned name in cybersecurity solutions, sees AI not as a job replacer but as a helpful assistant. With a shortage of skilled professionals, AI steps in to handle mundane routine tasks, allowing human experts to focus on strategic aspects. The narrative includes the acknowledgement of potential AI-powered security incidents, such as AI poisoning and advanced deepfake attacks. It emphasises the dual role of AI, both assisting and posing potential threats, urging a balanced approach.
Read more from Splunk here.
Centre For Cybersecurity's Two-Pronged Strategy: Bridging AI and Cybersecurity
Centre For Cybersecurity’s Head of Curriculum, James Lim introduces a comprehensive strategy for addressing the evolving requirements of AI in cybersecurity. This is a two-pronged approach which involves educating cybersecurity professionals about AI's principles and practical applications ('AI for Cyber') and developing strategies to secure information in the context of AI ('Cybersecurity for AI').
“Given the exponential growth of AI adoption, the risk of data and information leakage into public servers becomes a critical concern. In response, we focus on developing strategies to secure information in the context of AI, addressing the challenges associated with safeguarding sensitive data in this rapidly evolving landscape,” Lim said of the subject.
This approach aims to foster a symbiotic relationship between AI and cybersecurity, ensuring that both fields evolve hand in hand.
Conclusion: Embracing AI in Cybersecurity for a Secure 2024
As we navigate the intersection of AI and cybersecurity in Singapore in 2024, the impact of AI is clear. It serves as both a formidable adversary and a valuable ally in the ongoing battle against digital threats. Organisations are encouraged to embrace AI's capabilities while remaining vigilant against potential risks. The dance between AI and cybersecurity is set to define the digital landscape of 2024 and beyond. Stay informed, stay secure.
Learn more about how to stay informed and secure your future. Take advantage of Centre For Cybersecurity’s Career Kickstart Programme, a thorough 6-month initiative that equips you with all the essentials for success in the fast-growing field of cybersecurity. Click here to explore the programme in detail.
