Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be the topic on the tip of everyone’s tongues lately, and it’s certainly changing the way we live and work. From enhancing customer service with chatbots to predicting market trends, there doesn’t seem to be much that AI can’t do.  

While AI offers countless benefits, it also presents new challenges, especially when we think about cybersecurity. As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on AI, it's important to harness this powerful technology safely and sensibly. The first step to this is getting clued up on all things AI – and in this blog we’ll be helping you do exactly that! 

AI is a bit of double-edged sword 

AI is a tool with so much potential to improve security measures. For instance, AI can analyse vast amounts of data to detect anomalies and identify potential threats faster than any human ever could. However, it's essential to recognise that AI can be a double-edged sword as it can aid both cybersecurity professionals and cybercriminals. 

How is that possible? Well let’s look at a few pros and cons below to better understand how AI could be used: 

AI: Helping to improve cybersecurity 

Threat detection: AI systems can monitor network traffic in real-time, identifying suspicious activity and quickly alerting security teams to potential breaches. This could not only help to prevent breaches, but it can also reduce the impact of them as teams are able to respond faster. 

Automated responses: AI can automate responses to common threats, such as blocking malicious IP addresses or isolating infected devices, thereby reducing response times and limiting damage. 

Enhanced authentication: AI-powered biometric systems, like facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, provide more secure authentication methods than traditional passwords – particularly with many people still using “password1234” as theirs!  

AI: A tool for cybercriminals 

Phishing and scams: Cybercriminals use AI to craft sophisticated phishing emails that are hard to distinguish from the real deal. These emails can trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. 

Malware development: AI can help hackers create more advanced malware that evades traditional detection methods. 

Deepfakes: AI-generated deepfake videos and images can be used for malicious purposes, such as spreading false information or impersonating individuals to gain unauthorised access. 

The rise of deepfakes 

Deepfakes are becoming a growing concern as AI gets even more sophisticated and commonplace. If you’re not aware, deepfakes are AI-generated videos and images that can be incredibly realistic, making it difficult to distinguish them from genuine media. These can be used to spread misinformation, commit fraud, or manipulate public opinion. To protect yourself: 

Verify sources: Always check the source of a video or image, especially if it seems suspicious or too sensational to be true. 

Use verification tools: There are tools available that can help detect deepfakes by analysing media for signs of manipulation. 

Sensible use of AI: Balancing benefits and risks 

To harness AI safely, it's essential to use it sensibly – fortunately most of it is just good old fashioned common sense! Here are some tips to ensure you're getting the benefits of AI without falling prey to its potential pitfalls: 

Understand data privacy 

When you use AI tools, especially those that require inputting personal or sensitive data, it's important to know where this data goes and who has access to it. Ensure that the AI services you use comply with data protection regulations and have privacy policies in place. 

Avoid sharing confidential material 

This is an obvious one (we did say these were going to be largely common sense based!) but it’s important to be cautious about sharing confidential or sensitive information with AI tools, especially those that process data in the cloud. While AI can analyse data to provide insights, sharing too much can expose your information to risks if the data is mishandled or accessed by unauthorised parties. 

Verify information 

AI can generate reports and insights, but it's a good idea to verify the accuracy of this information yourself. Just like you wouldn't trust the first result you see on Google without checking its credibility, don't blindly trust AI-generated content. Cross-check information with reputable sources to ensure its validity. 

Be aware of false reports 

AI algorithms often rely on large datasets to generate outputs. However, some of these datasets may contain inaccurate or malicious content, especially if sourced from the internet. This can lead to AI producing false reports, so always apply a sense check to AI-generated information and be mindful of the possibility of errors. 

How to implement AI in your business 

Businesses can greatly benefit from AI, but they must implement it carefully to avoid security risks. Here are some best practices to get you started: 

Before you do anything: As a business, you must decide if you will use AI. If you choose to, pick a reliable AI tool and make sure your employees know it’s the only one they should use. 

Regularly update AI systems: If you do decide to use AI, ensure that your AI software is up to date to protect against vulnerabilities. 

Employee training: Train employees on the safe use of AI and the importance of cybersecurity. It’s important to make sure that they’re clear on what kind of information they can and can’t put into the AI programme, as well as highlight that it’s important they do not use AI without your knowledge. 

Monitor AI outputs: Regularly review the outputs of your AI systems to ensure they are accurate and not influenced by malicious data. 

Need some support with your organisation’s cyber security? Contact us today to find out how we can help.