Inside Cyber

CHAPTER 14Responding to Artificial Intelligence Cyber Threats

In the never-ending struggle for tactical and technological supremacy in cybersecurity, attackers and defenders now face competition from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

Being able to stay ahead of clever attackers who want to use AI (and quantum technologies) for illicit or dangerous purposes will be one of the hardest cybersecurity challenges. It is already urgently necessary to address such vulnerabilities as threat actors attack, particularly concerning vital infrastructure. Accelerated AI research and development is necessary to improve advanced capabilities and close cyber gaps, which can include weak threat intelligence and lack of modern cybersecurity technologies and training. These gaps are readily exploitable, especially in light of asymmetrical technological threats where hackers can automate attacks simultaneously to many thousands of targets, needing just one to be successful. Bolstering cybersecurity should be pursued as a priority collectively by the public and private sectors, as well as allied nations.

With a few additional precautions, preventing AI assaults is similar to preventing other types of cyberattacks. Primarily, maintaining appropriate digital security hygiene is always a smart idea. Keep your devices’ antivirus software up-to-date, avoid clicking on links from unreliable sources, log out of all accounts, delete cookies after you are done using a public network ...