What are AI-based cybersecurity measures? Specific examples and benefits

Cyber attacks such as unauthorized access and data tampering are evolving and becoming more sophisticated every day. To prevent such attacks, companies need to adopt the latest technologies, such as cyber security measures using AI (artificial intelligence). Nevertheless, there are limits to AI-based cybersecurity measures, and the reality is that the risk of damage from cyber attacks cannot be reduced to zero. This article describes examples of AI-based cybersecurity, its advantages and disadvantages, and what to do if you are victimized by a cyberattack despite such preparations.

What are AI-based cybersecurity measures?

This article explains what AI-based cybersecurity measures are, as well as the current status of cyber attacks and the challenges of conventional security.

Current Status of Cyber Attacks

In recent years, the number of target devices has increased with the spread of remote work, and cyber-attacks have caused an increasing amount of damage. In addition, cyber attacks have become more sophisticated by abusing AI technology, such as DDoS attacks that use AI to control a large number of bots to simultaneously attack a target server by placing a heavy load on it and bringing it down.

Challenges of Conventional Cyber Security

The most common type of cyber attack is an attack that exploits vulnerabilities, which are security flaws. Although specialized software and services can be used to counter these attacks to some extent, there is a constant struggle to find new vulnerable points even after version updates, and zero-day attacks that occur before countermeasures against vulnerabilities have been implemented. In addition, there is a serious shortage of security personnel in Japan, and many companies have yet to establish appropriate security measures.

Examples of Cyber Security Measures Using AI

• Malware detection
  AI detects malware by machine learning normal and abnormal behavior of programs and communications. The detection rate can be improved by analyzing the characteristics of each type of malware and its attack tactics.

• Detection of unauthorized access and use
  It is possible to detect attacks and signs of attacks by having AI understand "normal" and "attack" characteristics from accumulated data such as logs and traffic. It is also possible to have AI learn the normal behavior patterns of users, and automatically detect unauthorized access that illegally obtains login information such as IDs and passwords to intrude into and use EC sites and internal systems as abnormal behavior.

• User Authentication
  AI can also be used to authenticate users by having the AI check IP addresses and access points in real time, and notify users if access is from an unusual terminal or location, or issue one-time passwords.

• Security Diagnostics
  Tools and services that automatically detect vulnerabilities in internal systems and assess security risks using AI are also being utilized to understand the security situation within an organization and take appropriate countermeasures. For example, there are services that simulate a system or website intrusion in a manner similar to a cyber-attack to visualize inherent security risks.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cyber Security Measures Using AI

This section describes the merits and demerits of cyber security measures utilizing AI.

Advantages of AI-based cybersecurity measures

• Can increase the detection rate of cyber attacks.
  AI has an excellent ability to analyze large amounts of data, so it can improve the detection rate by analyzing logs of past cyber attacks and learning the characteristics and trends of such attacks. By analyzing large amounts of logs and traffic data, the scope of response to increasingly complex cyber attacks can be expanded.
  

• Improved resistance to new types of malware
  Conventional security tools cannot detect new types of malware and must be updated each time, but there is a risk of zero-day attacks, AI analyzes programs and scripts and uses machine learning to determine whether they are malicious or not, and is expected to improve resistance to new types of cyber attacks.
  

Disadvantages of AI-based cybersecurity measures

• Costs for security measures will grow more than ever
  Even though investment in security is essential for corporate management, security measures using AI require a certain level of cost. It is necessary to determine the security measures and means that are appropriate and necessary for your company.
  

• It is difficult to secure human resources with expertise in AI utilization and security measures.
  It is difficult to secure human resources with expertise and skills in AI as well as conventional security, but the demand for personnel who can handle AI is increasing. The cost of recruiting and training personnel is another point that places a heavy burden on companies.
  

Even with AI, it is difficult to completely prevent cyber attacks.

While AI is useful in detecting malware and unauthorized access, its judgment is not always accurate. It is important to operate AI-based security measures while correctly grasping and managing their performance and scope, and at the same time, to prepare to minimize damage in the event of an attack. It is also important to be prepared to minimize damage in the event of an attack.

For cyber attack damage response, FRONTEO's "Cyber Security Survey Package" is the best choice.

FRONTEO's "Cyber Security Investigation Package," which boasts more than 10,000 fraud investigations, provides high-quality cyber security investigations that are recommended by multiple insurance companies. FRONTEO's Cyber Security Investigation Package, which is recommended by several insurance companies, provides high-quality cyber security investigations.

This is an effective solution for initial response that includes the minimum necessary investigations to respond to a cyber attack, such as EDR investigations and dark web investigations, in a single package. Additional investigations, such as Wi-Fi vulnerability investigations, NDR investigations, and penetration tests, can also be conducted. For companies that do not have personnel with specialized knowledge, concerns remain about the speed and expertise of contingency response. FRONTEO will support your initial response based on the know-how gained from our overwhelming track record.