AI Threat Detection in Cybersecurity

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 29, 2024

Cybersecurity Professional Working on Two Monitors.

Cybercrime poses a significant threat to businesses, regardless of their size or industry, outranking supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and inflation as the biggest risk facing businesses, according to Statista. A 2023 survey conducted by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce revealed that 60% of small businesses perceived cyber attacks as their biggest threat.

Organizations employ various cybersecurity tools to safeguard their digital assets. As the threat landscape evolves, with cyber attacks growing in both frequency and complexity, businesses are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and mitigate cyber threats. AI threat detection is an invaluable tool that can help organizations shield themselves from cyber attacks with greater efficiency than traditional cybersecurity methods that rely primarily on the work of human analysts.

Individuals pursuing a cybersecurity education need to understand how AI is transforming the industry, including how cybercriminals are using it for their own nefarious purposes.

What Is AI Threat Detection?

The use of AI in threat detection and cybersecurity is growing in popularity. More than half of organizations plan to implement AI solutions in their security strategy in 2024, according to the Cloud Security Alliance’s recent State of AI and Security Survey Report. The report also revealed that 63% of cybersecurity professionals believed that AI could enhance their organizations’ security measures, particularly when it comes to improving threat detection.

AI’s ability to collect, collate, and analyze massive amounts of data at a scale and speed human analysts simply can’t match makes it an increasingly critical tool in threat detection. Organizations gather data from a wide variety of sources: network traffic, system event logs, user activity records, and deep and dark web forums. Leveraging AI to sift through this data trove can help organizations proactively identify and respond to cyber hazards more efficiently.

How AI Is Used in Threat Detection

AI can enhance an organization’s threat detection and response capabilities in several ways, including the following:

AI algorithms process and analyze huge amounts of data much faster than cybersecurity professionals can.
Advanced pattern recognition powered by AI can more easily identify unusual patterns and anomalies among vast amounts of data that may hint at potential threats.
Predictive analytics examines trends and patterns from a cyber attack to facilitate future threat identification.
Adaptive learning uses machine learning models to continuously improve AI systems’ threat detection abilities.

Importance of AI in Cybersecurity

The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with the range of hazards increasing in frequency and complexity. In the first nine months of 2023, the number of data breaches experienced by U.S. organizations increased by almost 20% in comparison to all of 2022, according to Apple. The number of organizations that suffered a ransomware attack also grew, more than doubling between 2022 and 2023 (25% to 53%), according to software company Delinea.

Meanwhile, the cost of cybercrime is rising. The average cost of a data breach climbed to $4.45 million in 2023, an all-time high, according to IBM.

It’s increasingly essential for organizations to include AI in their cybersecurity strategy to detect threats, improve incident response, and mitigate damage.

Benefits of AI Threat Detection

Using AI in threat detection and response can yield enormous benefits for organizations. The most consequential benefits include those below.

Analyzing Vast Amounts of Data

AI can comb through and analyze huge amounts of data from a wide range of sources more quickly and efficiently than cybersecurity professionals, enabling organizations to identify threats that would otherwise go undetected by traditional systems.

Continuously Learning

AI systems are constantly learning from the data they collect and analyze, improving their threat detection and response capabilities. Deep learning and machine learning techniques enable AI to recognize patterns and anomalies in data and network activity, making it easier to discover potentially malicious activity. This makes it harder for hackers to evade an organization’s cyber defenses.

Improving Vulnerability Management

Proactivity is essential in cybersecurity. AI empowers organizations to more effectively evaluate their systems and networks, identify gaps, and develop solutions. By doing so, they’re able to manage vulnerabilities and prevent future security incidents.

Automating Tasks

One of the most obvious advantages of AI-driven threat detection is that it allows organizations to automate various tasks normally performed by humans, such as data collection and system monitoring. This automation has several advantages:

Reducing Costs: AI can perform certain time-consuming tasks, such as analyzing data, much more efficiently than humans. This can save organizations money and free up security professionals to focus on more strategic activities, boosting productivity.
Minimizing Human Error: Shifting the burden of certain cybersecurity functions from security professionals to AI reduces the risk of human error, which is often costly.
Improving Decision-Making: AI can help organizations more easily identify and resolve potential gaps in their security strategy.

Ultimately, employing AI in threat detection can improve an organization’s threat intelligence and save time and money in threat identification.

Use of AI by Cybercriminals

At the same time that organizations are using AI tools to protect their systems, networks, and data, cybercriminals are leveraging AI to launch more sophisticated attacks. The Government and Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), one of Britain’s intelligence and security agencies, warned in early 2024 that the proliferation of AI would lead to a rise in cyber attacks and make it easier for less-skilled hackers to cause harm. For example, hackers could employ AI to develop more effective phishing campaigns, using generative AI to craft convincing emails or documents.

Additionally, some experts are worried that AI could lead to attacks on the nation’s cyber infrastructure, causing physical damage to structures or systems. Recent research indicates that AI could be used to cause explosions, such as by hacking computer-controlled motors with pumps and making them incinerate.

In the age of AI, traditional cybersecurity methods are no longer enough to combat these threats. By leveraging the latest AI tools, organizations can stay ahead of their adversaries.

Learn How to Use AI in the Fight Against Cybercrime

In today’s cyber threat landscape, organizations must remain vigilant to protect their digital assets. Using AI in threat detection and response is increasingly vital as cybercriminals refine their methods and launch more sophisticated attacks. AI tools can enable organizations to identify threats and respond to security incidents more effectively and efficiently than solely relying on human analysts.

If you want to learn about the latest cybersecurity tools and technologies, including AI, explore the online M.S. in Cyber Security at The University of Tulsa. The program offers both technical and leadership tracks, allowing you to tailor your academic journey to your professional goals. Our accelerated curriculum is designed for the working professional, so you can earn your degree in as little as 20 months.

Learn how TU can help you develop the future-ready skills you need to succeed in this growing industry.

Recommended Readings

Cybersecurity Certificate vs. Degree: Which Is Right for You?

Cybersecurity Coding and Programming Languages

Cybersecurity Internships and Resources

Sources:

Apple, “The Continued Threat to Personal Data: Key Factors Behind the 2023 Increase”

Cloud Security Alliance, The State of AI and Security Survey Report

CNBC, “‘Cyber-Physical Attacks’ Fueled by AI Are a Growing Threat, Experts Say”

Delinea, “Delinea Research Reveals That Ransomware Is Back on the Rise as Cybercriminals’ Motivation Shifts to Data Exfiltration”

Forbes, “How AI-Enabled Threat Intelligence Is Becoming Our Future”

Fortinet, Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cybersecurity