AI in Threat Detection

• Blockchain Council
• January 03, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how cybersecurity works by improving how we spot threats, speeding up actions, and building stronger defenses against modern, tricky cyberattacks.

Detecting Threats More Effectively with AI

Old-fashioned cybersecurity tools often lag behind the quick development of new cyber risks. AI tackles this issue by sorting through huge amounts of information to find unusual patterns or possible threats instantly. For example, AI systems can pick up on strange activity in network traffic, hinting at intrusions or harmful software. Acting on this quickly helps companies limit the damage from such events.

A good illustration is how Amazon uses AI in its security tools. By applying AI, they keep an eye on nearly a quarter of all global internet IP addresses. Their system flags almost a billion possible cyber threats every day, a big jump from just 100 million earlier this year.

Automating How Incidents Are Handled

AI doesn’t just help spot risks—it takes over some of the work too, easing the load on IT security teams. Automated systems can carry out specific actions, like isolating infected parts of a network or blocking harmful IPs, without needing people to step in. Acting quickly this way reduces the fallout from cyberattacks.

For instance, tools powered by AI can sort through alert notifications and guide teams with detailed instructions on fixing the problem step by step. These tools help make incident handling faster and more specific.

Building Smarter Defenses

AI keeps improving defense systems by learning from fresh data all the time, helping it adapt to new types of risks. Machine learning algorithms can study older attacks to predict and stop similar ones before they happen. This creates a flexible and evolving protection approach.

Companies like Deep Instinct use advanced learning models to detect and block harmful programs, stopping problems before they can do any damage.

Tackling Threats Created by AI Itself

Although AI boosts security, it also introduces new hurdles. Cybercriminals are finding ways to misuse AI for harmful purposes. Scams involving fake emails or deepfakes are becoming more realistic and harder to spot. This has made cybersecurity experts step up their game, using AI to fight back against these AI-powered attacks.

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Group Efforts and Investments in AI Security

Both governments and private companies are pouring resources into AI-focused cybersecurity measures. For example, the UK government has funded a special AI security research lab with £8 million, aiming to handle risks, especially from adversarial nations.

In the business world, Mastercard recently acquired a company called Recorded Future for $2.65 billion. This move strengthens their fraud prevention and threat analysis by weaving AI into their operations.

Wrapping It All Up

AI is making cybersecurity smarter by improving detection, automating responses, and bolstering defenses. But as criminals also start using AI for harm, constant updates and investments in technology are needed to stay protected. Organizations must stay alert, adopting AI tools to handle ever-changing cyber challenges.