AI plays a significant role in shaping cyber strategies, according to security executives.
In a revealing report, Arctic Wolf has highlighted that cybersecurity executives are increasingly concerned about the security challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Return on Investment (ROI) related to their AI security measures.
AI, including large language models, has emerged as the top concern for security leaders, underlining the critical need to address AI-related risks effectively while ensuring that investments in security technologies provide tangible value. The report emphasizes the evolving threat landscape in which AI is a key factor, making it crucial for organisations to stay ahead of emerging threats and for security teams to adapt their strategies accordingly.
The report reveals that over 70% of respondents have experienced at least one significant cyberattack, with 35% reporting a business-email compromise attack and another 35% suffering a significant malware infection. The attacks led to at least three months' worth of lost productivity for 64% of those affected.
The report also bemoans the mismatch between strategic motivators and real-world threats, as AI-generated attacks are relatively minor compared to breaches that exploit common weaknesses. Despite this, nearly 85% of security leaders use next-generation endpoint security software, but only 40% claim to have full visibility into their networks with these tools.
Arctic Wolf's report suggests that AI-driven security solutions are not generating a significant return on investment, as they are listed as devices creating "the least value" in corporate security programs. This is a concern for 30% of cybersecurity executives, who consider privacy and security issues related to artificial intelligence as their top concern.
Privacy and data protection comes in second, followed by risk management in the Arctic Wolf report. However, building a culture of security awareness only received mention from 31% of respondents, despite being a cost-effective way to improve an organization's resilience, as suggested by the report.
The report, based on a survey of over 1,200 leaders in 15 countries, also emphasises the importance of data transformation and secure AI adoption as the top factor driving strategic decision-making for respondents, earning a mention from 45% of them.
Rich Campagna, senior vice president of product management at Palo Alto Networks, stated that overemphasising on future threats like AI can lead to gaps in defending against more routine attacks. The report suggests that it will likely take a long time before the accuracy of AI-driven devices improves enough to be trusted.
In conclusion, the Arctic Wolf report offers valuable insights into the challenges and concerns faced by cybersecurity executives in the current landscape. It underscores the need for a balanced approach in addressing AI-related risks and ensuring that cybersecurity investments yield clear benefits in risk reduction and operational efficiency.
- AI-driven security solutions are not generating a significant return on investment, as they are listed as devices creating "the least value" in corporate security programs, a concern for 30% of cybersecurity executives.
- Despite this, nearly 85% of security leaders use next-generation endpoint security software, but only 40% claim to have full visibility into their networks with these tools.
- The attacks led to at least three months' worth of lost productivity for 64% of those affected, with over 70% of respondents having experienced at least one significant cyberattack, with 35% reporting a business-email compromise attack and another 35% suffering a significant malware infection.
- Risk management, privacy, and data protection are among the top concerns for cybersecurity executives, according to the Arctic Wolf report, with a culture of security awareness only receiving mention from 31% of respondents.
