Everyone's cybersecurity needs aren't just increasing, they're shifting around, too. And with the advance of technologies like AI and cloud computing, we're entering a new phase in the progress of cybersecurity. Which is just as well, because “bad actors” out there are developing too.
So we all need to look to the latest innovations in security software, and decide which technologies can best protect us. How can we implement them to strengthen our cyber defenses?
The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence
The continual, and rapid, growth of artificial intelligence has brought about major changes in the world of cybersecurity. In particular, the areas of threat detection and response are benefitting enormously from the introduction of AI-based systems.
A major challenge nowadays is the sheer scale of modern IT infrastructure. Organizations' IT environments are composed of more and more applications, systems, and networks. And this means that the number of potential “weak points” is growing all the time. As a result, companies that rely on traditional detection and response measures are finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with threats as they emerge.
Due to their rapid processing speed, AI systems are highly scalable, and can be used to continuously monitor even the most complex networks. So when these tools are deployed, the risk of oversights is significantly reduced, and issues are promptly addressed.
But of course with
cyber criminals developing their own AI and machine learning algorithms, a need for vigilance is increasing. To protect our businesses effectively, we must fight fire with fire, and it's AI that will play a major role to play in shaping the future of business security.
Automation In Security Testing
Security testing is another area where the power of AI is going to be transformational. Organizations will be able to adapt by replacing conventional periodic penetration testing with more proactive tools. This is where automated security testing comes in.
Employing technologies like an
automated pentest tool, for example, can enable users to conduct continuous testing and regular validation of controls. These tools also maintain up-to-date threat libraries and can stress-test security measures against threats that hackers are currently using. A big problem with conventional testing is that it often leaves security teams in the dark between assessments. But automated testing means that security operations are continually aware of the state of their security status – and they can take steps to improve the system whenever needed.
By deploying automated penetration testing tools, security teams can fix security weaknesses as they emerge. They can resolve misconfigurations and patch vulnerabilities on an ongoing basis to maximize resistance to threats at all times. It's clear that as we move forward with cybersecurity, automation will be a cornerstone of what constitutes an effective defense.
Cloud Security For Risk Management
The advent of cloud technologies also represents
a new area of cybersecurity. More cloud applications are emerging, and companies across the world are discovering the immense power of these technologies. That's because they are scalable, modular, and easily deployable. But as you may have already guessed, implementing cloud solutions has also opened up a whole new avenue of risk. And only if it's addressed properly, will organizations be able to take full advantage of the huge potential of cloud technologies.
But it doesn't come easy! Adopting cloud infrastructure presents a number of key challenges. Just for a start, there are complex data storage configurations, multi-tenancy between users, and shared maintenance responsibility between clients and service providers. These clearly have the potential to create confusion and potentially result in exposure to potential breaches. So robust safeguards are needed to maintain clarity and maximize protection. This is where cloud-native security solutions can step up to help pave the way forward.
Advanced cloud security solutions monitor cloud environments in real time; they enforce compliance standards, and identify where weaknesses need to be resolved. They also offer predictive analytics, which enable organizations to anticipate risks and predict future vulnerabilities. By integrating them into security processes, companies will be able to use the power of cloud computing with greater confidence in the future.
Wrap Up
Let's face it, we've already entered a new era of cybersecurity … and it's one where a proactive, adaptive approach reigns supreme. If we want to implement these approaches, we need adaptive, scalable, AI-driven solutions so we can maintain maximum vigilance.
But remember that cyber threats are evolving too -- and quickly -- but by using the power of AI, automation, and cloud-native security, we can seize the initiative and stay ahead of cyber criminals. And reap the fast-growing rewards of technology.
