AI in cybersecurity: expert opinion

KNESS uses AI technologies not only in its products but also in its operations. In particular, our IT specialists apply innovative technologies to automate their current cybersecurity tasks. 

“Given the pace of IT industry development, it is not enough to keep up with the times to guarantee the safety and security of data in any company. It is crucial to be proactive in cybersecurity. The use of AI technologies in our work helps us to do this,” explains Janush Podvysotskyi, Head of the Information and Telecommunication Systems Administration and Information Security Department in KNESS.

According to our cybersecurity expert, AI has three main potentials in this area:

1. Interactivity. AI can analyze a huge amount of data in real-time and provide information to administrators and analysts to respond quickly to threats. For example, Microsoft uses AI-analyzed data to develop training programs that help people recognize cyberattacks carried out using AI.
2. Automation. AI can automate the processes of detecting and responding to threats without human intervention.
3. Prevention. AI can be used to detect anomalies and unexpected patterns in real-time, which allows preventing threats. For example, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is also developing methods of protection against cyberattacks based on data obtained from AI.

So how do you start implementing AI tools for daily IT tasks?

The first step is a thorough assessment of business needs.

“It is important to understand what you want to achieve with AI and identify tasks that can be automated. Whether it is vulnerability detection and attack prediction, malware detection, or data and web traffic analysis. At the same stage, you need to research AI tools and technologies on the market. This can be machine learning, deep learning, pattern recognition, etc. Choose the ones that best suit your specific needs. It’s also a good idea to evaluate your resources: how long it may take to implement AI tools and plan your budget,” Janush shares the advice based on his own experience.

The second step is comprehensive planning. A detailed plan for implementing AI tools in the company with specific steps and deadlines will help you not to get lost in the flow of daily tasks. It is also worth considering methods of control and results evaluation.

At the same time, internal experts should be encouraged to develop and learn new things, and the team should be gradually prepared for changes.

“Our employees, including those in my department, are interested in AI innovations and are happy to test new approaches at work. Especially if the innovations make their daily tasks easier. They are also excited and motivated to implement AI technologies in other departments, which is very welcomed at KNESS,” says Janush.

Where to find inspiration and learn about the latest in AI technologies in cybersecurity?

Our expert recommends regularly following the news on AI technologies in specialized publications or on information portals, such as: The Hacker News, Threatpost, CSO Online, MIT Technology Review. You should also not neglect online training on specialized platforms such as Cybrary or  ISC2, or look for courses on popular educational resources such as Coursera, Udemy, edX, etc. You can also attend conferences and forums dedicated to AI. Currently, there are plenty of events focused on this topic.

Innovations in cybersecurity are not restricted to artificial intelligence

“In addition to AI, the innovative areas that our department is exploring include blockchain technologies that can be used to protect confidential information and SecaaS, or Security as a Service, which is a model for providing cybersecurity as a service. So we stay on the cutting edge of innovation – we develop together with the whole rapidly changing world to invent new, reliable solutions for protecting systems and data in KNESS,” adds Janush.