Name: Total IT
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If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve probably seen one thing crop up again and again: the rapid development of AI. If you’re a business owner, these new AI advancements represent a double-edged sword—they come with new and exciting opportunities, but in the wrong hands, they can also bring unprecedented challenges.

One of these challenges that businesses need to be aware of is AI’s role in exacerbating cyber threats. We’ll walk you through the basics of AI in cybersecurity, and what steps your business needs to take to protect itself.

The Threats That Come With AI

AI-generated phishing emails are a perfect example of how cyber criminals can use AI. They use advanced algorithms, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Machine Learning (ML) to generate convincing messages that look like legitimate ones.

Since these kinds of scams can be generated quickly and cheaply, they can be launched in bulk for maximum effect—making them incredibly difficult to spot and even more difficult to contain.

AI-enabled social engineering is another form of attack that can wreak havoc on businesses.

Through natural language processing and ML, attackers can create believable conversations with your employees or customers that lead them to reveal confidential information or take other actions that could be detrimental to the company.

Regulations on AI

Many countries are beginning to develop clear regulations on AI, which include provisions related to its use in cybersecurity.

For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has a specific section covering AI-assisted decision-making that dictates how companies can and cannot use AI when it comes to protecting data. Many other countries, including the US, are beginning to develop similar regulations, ensuring that businesses have the guidance they need to protect themselves and their customers.

AI in Cybersecurity: How to Protect Against Threats

As new advancements are made, companies can benefit from enhanced AI-powered threat intelligence that can identify suspicious activity even faster than ever before. AI achieves this by learning from past behavior and identifying patterns, which allows it to quickly spot unusual activity and detect potential intrusions in real-time.

However, the development of AI also represents a risk that businesses must be aware of. Here are a few simple ways your business can protect itself from AI-enabled cyber threats:

Educate your employees on cybersecurity best practices
Implement multi-factor authentication for all accounts and services
Regularly review and update policies related to data privacy, security protocols, employee access controls, etc.
Keep software up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes

Stay a Step Ahead of the Curve with Total IT

In addition to the measures described above, one of the most effective actions you can take is to partner with a cybersecurity provider that’s knowledgeable in AI and cybersecurity. These providers can help to secure your network and protect against malicious attacks, giving you peace of mind that your business is safe from potential threats.

At Total IT, we can help you take the necessary precautions so that you can prevent serious harm from coming to your data and customers. Call us today to see how we can help protect your business.