The landscape of cyber threats in Brazil has never been as complex as it is now. Besides the country being, recognizably, a barn for hackers from all over the world, intensified by a parallel market of local fraudsters, cybersecurity teams need to face a constant flood of attacks that only increase in frequency and sophistication. In Brazil, a report from Apura Cyber Intelligence indicated a 220% increase in ransomware attacks in 2023, in comparison with the previous year
This avalanche of alerts and security incidents makes it difficult to maintain effective security throughout the organization. Many companies do not have the necessary number of cybersecurity professionals to adequately respond to alerts. According to ABES (Brazilian Association of Software Companies), Brazil faces a deficit of 70 thousand qualified professionals in information security, a number that tends to grow with the digitalization of companies
That's why, generative AI is a potential tool that companies can use to scale human-led cybersecurity defenses. And technology is already present in various cybersecurity solutions
Expanding Security Knowledge with AI
Generative AI has tremendous potential in the field of security, being able to expand knowledge and best practices, providing automated correction steps and guidance
With the use of generative AI, professionals do not need to focus so much on teaching a specific remediation technique or instructing on the use of a specific technology. The focus shifts to teaching which AI workflows or prompts should be used in different scenarios
Several cybersecurity solutions are already adopting generative AI, improving safety results, the correction time, and the learning curve of the analysts who operate the solutions. Using natural language processing (NLP) to support security teams in processes such as incident response, threat hunting and security posture management, it becomes easier for current cybersecurity teams to manage the amount of tasks and systems today
More than that, AI also helps to reduce the technological barrier between different technical levels of professionals– leveling the knowledge about specific types of attack, remediation techniques, security platforms, among other cases
The “magic” of AI with automation and predictive analytics
Once "equipped" with Artificial Intelligence, security solutions can detect and respond to security incidents in real time, minimizing the impact of attacks. Automation allows for the rapid identification of threats and the execution of corrective measures without immediate human intervention, what is vital in a scenario where cyberattacks are becoming increasingly fast and complex
AI can also analyze large volumes of data to predict potential threats before they occur. Using advanced machine learning techniques –and access to use cases as well as databases of information on attacks– it is possible to identify patterns and anomalous behaviors that may indicate an imminent attack. This predictive analysis allows companies to adopt a proactive stance, instead of reactive, in relation to cybersecurity
Another point is that, with Artificial Intelligence, it is really possible to customize cybersecurity solutions for each company. AI algorithms can be trained to understand the specific environment of an organization, and adapt the security measures to protect the most critical assets
Finally, AI helps security teams with one of the biggest challenges of the operation: false positives, that consume time and resources for double checking – that needs to be done by a human. AI can help filter these alerts, allowing security professionals to focus on real threats. AI systems can interpret and contextualize alerts, significantly reducing the workload and increasing the accuracy of responses
In summary, AI is a powerful ally in the fight against cyber threats, bringing efficiency, precision and innovation for the field of cybersecurity. As companies continue to adopt this technology, they will be better positioned to protect their data and operations against the increasingly sophisticated attacks from hackers
