(AI TO THE RESCUE WITH CYBERSECURITY THREATS)
February 28, 2024
Hello everyone,
Globally cybersecurity attacks cost an estimated $8 trillion in 2023. Yes, that’s just one year. And that cost is set to rise to $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
According to CEO Sundar Pichai, intelligence tools could help governments and companies speed up the detection of – and response to – threats from hostile actors.
With the real possibility of AI getting into the wrong hands, everyone is right to be worried. It is really a two-edged sword because while AI can strengthen defenses against nefarious actors, those same actors can also take advantage of this smart technology and exert pressure on governments and/or companies. It comes down to the fact that if you can run a little bit faster than your adversary you will triumph. Take time away from your opponent. And that is what AI will be designed to do for companies.
Last week, Google announced a new initiative offering AI tools and infrastructure investments designed to boost online security. A free, open-source tool dubbed Magika aims to help users detect malware – malicious software. Pichai said the tools were already being used in the company’s products, such as Google Chrome and Gmail, as well as its internal systems.
Companies are also starting to respond robustly to AI-generated “deepfakes” designed to deceive voters in election years. This can’t come soon enough, in my opinion, as the internet becomes an increasingly important sphere of influence for both individuals and state-backed malicious actors.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on Saturday described cyberspace as “a new battlefield.”
A report published last week by Microsoft found that state-backed hackers from Russia, China and Iran have been using its Open AI large language model (LLM) to enhance their efforts to trick targets.
Russian military intelligence, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and the Chinese and North Korean governments were all said to have relied on the tools.
Cheers,
Jacquie
