Dubai, UAE – Around 95% of UAE organizations surveyed plan to increase investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve their cybersecurity strategy, with 81% seeing AI as an important enabler for their organization’s overall approach to cybersecurity, according to new research by Censuswide, commissioned by Palo Alto Networks
“As organizations adopt new technologies at a rapid pace, it is critical that they take steps to improve their cybersecurity posture, including their ability to detect and respond to threats in real-time,” said Ercan Aydin, Regional Vice President at Palo Alto Networks, Middle East and Africa (MEA).
“By incorporating AI into their cybersecurity strategies, organizations in the UAE and regionally can improve their ability to defend against a wide range of cyber threats, reduce response times, and gain better visibility into their security posture – combined with other best cybersecurity practices such as employee training, strong policies, and a layered security approach,” he added.
The research found that 94% of UAE respondents understand the potential cyber risks, and 89% feel their organization is cyber-ready. However, 52% of organizations researched said they have seen an increase in cyberattacks in the past 12 months.
69% of CEOs researched said that cybersecurity is a board-level issue within their organization, 39% said they have appointed the Chief Information Officers to ensure their organization is protected against cyberattacks, especially if that could impact the business, customers, and reputation.
While 65% said they are looking to increase investment in cybersecurity protection, 92% of respondents have confirmed that their company’s CIO or CISO plan to lower the number of security solutions deployed to reduce complexity.
Here are some ways that organizations can use AI to improve their cybersecurity strategy:
Real-Time Monitoring and Incident Response: Investing in AI-powered monitoring systems can lead to real-time threat detection and immediate incident response. AI algorithms can continuously monitor network traffic, flagging suspicious activities or deviations from established patterns. This ensures a swift response to potential threats, minimizing damage and enabling cybersecurity teams to take timely action to mitigate risks.
Identify and prioritize vulnerabilities: AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data to identify vulnerabilities in systems and software. This allows organizations to prioritize their remediation efforts and focus on the most critical vulnerabilities.
Automate security tasks: AI technologies can automate routine security tasks, allowing cybersecurity teams to focus on more complex and strategic aspects. Tasks such as patch management, system updates, and vulnerability scanning can be efficiently handled by AI-powered systems, reducing human error and ensuring a proactive security approach.
Predictive Threat Analysis and Prevention: AI, with its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and recognize patterns, plays a crucial role in predictive threat analysis. By studying historical attack patterns and identifying potential vulnerabilities, AI can predict potential threats and vulnerabilities that traditional cybersecurity measures might overlook. This predictive analysis enables organizations to proactively bolster their defenses and develop effective strategies to counter future cyber-attacks.
Adaptive and Evolving Security Systems: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, necessitating cybersecurity strategies that can adapt to new attack vectors and tactics. AI’s ability to learn and evolve makes it an ideal tool for cybersecurity. AI algorithms can continuously update and adapt security measures based on emerging threats, providing a dynamic and proactive defense against evolving cyber-attacks.
Enhanced Authentication and Access Controls: AI can be employed to develop advanced authentication mechanisms, including biometric recognition and behavioral analytics, to enhance access controls. These measures ensure that only authorized individuals gain access to sensitive systems and data, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches.
Reduced Response Time and Cost Efficiency: By leveraging AI in cybersecurity, organizations can significantly reduce the time taken to detect and respond to cyber threats. This swift response not only minimizes potential damage but also reduces the overall cost of a cybersecurity incident by preventing the escalation of the breach and the subsequent costs associated with remediation.
Data Privacy and Compliance: Investing in AI technologies for cybersecurity helps organizations maintain compliance with data privacy regulations. AI can aid in monitoring and auditing data usage to ensure it aligns with regulatory requirements, thus avoiding potential legal issues and penalties associated with non-compliance.