Written by Sergey Belov, Head of Internal Security at Acronis

AI stands at the forefront of innovations in online safety in 2024, transforming how organisations detect, analyse and respond to threats. Businesses across the Middle East are increasingly investing in AI, recognising its potential to enhance operations and safeguard digital assets through advanced security and data protection measures. By leveraging AI’s processing power, companies can bolster their defences, preemptively addressing threats before they escalate. However, while Artificial Intelligence offers significant benefits to businesses worldwide, its adoption also escalates the risk of potential attacks and security vulnerabilities.

Here are some ways Artificial Intelligence acts for and against cybersecurity:

Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity
Studies show that 91% of the businesses in UAE have employed AI in their cyber safety strategies to address the increase in threats today.

• Threat detection and response: AI-enhanced security solutions utilise machine learning algorithms to analyse extensive data sets from various origins, aiding IT professionals in identifying and addressing cyber threats promptly.
• Behavioural analysis: Tools powered by AI for behavioural analysis monitor the actions of users and systems to detect anomalies that may signal potential security risks.
• Predictive analytics: AI and machine learning algorithms analyse past data to forecast future cyber protection trends and anticipate emerging threats.
• Automation of routine tasks: AI-driven automation technologies streamline everyday safety operations, including threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management, allowing security teams to concentrate more on strategic activities.

Artificial Intelligence Against Cybersecurity
As technology advances, so do the threats against it. In the Middle East, the cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly, with targeted ransomware attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities and advanced phishing methods on the rise.

Recent data shows a 29.1% increase in malware detection and a 25.5% rise in blocked URLs, emphasising the urgency for robust security measures. To address these challenges it is important to be aware of the threats that reside in new technologies and identify the best plan of action against them.

• Bias and discrimination: AI algorithms are susceptible to bias and discrimination, potentially leading to inaccurate decisions and unintended consequences. To mitigate these risks, organisations must ensure AI-driven cybersecurity systems are trained on diverse and representative datasets, thereby minimising bias and mitigating ethical and legal concerns.
• False positives and negatives: AI-driven security systems may produce false positives (incorrectly identifying benign activities as malicious) or false negatives (failing to detect genuine security threats), resulting in either unnecessary alerts or missed opportunities leading to unnecessary alerts or missed opportunities to prevent security incidents.
• Adversarial attacks: AI systems can be vulnerable to adversarial attacks, where malicious actors manipulate input data to evade detection by AI algorithms. Adversarial training and anomaly detection techniques can reduce these risks and ensure the resilience of systems depending on Artificial Intelligence.

Moreover, AI not only enhances threat detection but also empowers cybercriminals to execute sophisticated attacks. 73% of organisations in the UAE have experienced ransomware attacks in the past two years, underscoring the critical need for heightened vigilance.

Addressing the Challenges
To truly reap the benefits of emerging technology, companies must adopt a comprehensive approach to address the risks posed by them. This involves investing in AI-driven threat detection and prevention tools, employing advanced AI security measures, and continuously updating and refining their cyber protection strategies. Moreover, organisations should conduct regular training, attack simulations and awareness programs for their employees to stay prepared for the malicious usage of AI. Examples of malicious use of AI targeting employees include several concerning scenarios:

1. Deepfakes: Deepfake techniques can be employed by attackers with minimal technical expertise. These can be created using software that is easily accessible through a simple Google search. Such deepfakes could be used to impersonate company executives in video calls, tricking employees into disclosing sensitive information or authorising fraudulent transactions.
2. Phishing Scams: AI can be used to generate highly personalised phishing emails. By analysing publicly available data, AI can craft emails that appear to come from a trusted source within the company, making employees more likely to click on malicious links or download harmful attachments.
3. Voice Spoofing: Similar to deepfakes, AI can be used to create realistic voice simulations. Attackers can use these to call employees, pretend to be someone they trust and manipulate them into revealing confidential information or performing certain actions that compromise security.
4. Automated Social Engineering: AI can automate social engineering attacks by scraping social media and other online platforms to gather detailed profiles of employees. This information can then be used to craft convincing fake scenarios, gaining employees’ trust and leading them to inadvertently share sensitive company information.
5. Fake News and Disinformation: AI-generated fake news or misinformation can be targeted at employees to influence their decisions or create unrest within the company. For example, spreading false rumours about company layoffs or financial instability can cause panic and disrupt normal operations.

These examples illustrate how easily accessible AI tools can be exploited by attackers to target employees and compromise organisational security. Companies must educate their employees about these threats and implement robust security measures to mitigate such risks. In addition to in-house security measures, companies should consider leveraging third-party security solutions to enhance the level of security, especially for addressing threats that are beyond their capabilities.

As we venture into the uncharted territories of Artificial intelligence, the potential of this technology is limitless. While we uncover new possibilities and leverage their benefits to enhance and protect our organisations, vigilance is crucial against its potential drawbacks. Finding the right balance and developing effective strategies is paramount in the ever-evolving landscape of security.