Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?

At our first transatlantic webinar, hosted by Marcus Tutin and Damien Barker, we delved into the fascinating realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for cybersecurity. The webinar aims to shed light on how AI can enhance organizational resilience against cyber-attacks and the evolving landscape on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Sign up for part two of this webinar series here.

Our esteemed panellists for the webinar were: 

David Rogers MBE, a mobile telecoms and security specialist who runs Copper Horse Ltd, a software and security company based in Windsor, UK. David also chairs the Fraud and Security Group at the GSMA.  

Dr Melanie Garson, the Cyber Policy Lead and Acting Director of Geopolitics at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Her work focuses on cyber policy, the geopolitics of the internet, the rise of tech companies as geopolitical actors, data governance as well as the intersection of emerging tech, foreign policy and diplomacy.  

Glenn Schmitz has worked in Information Technology and Cybersecurity for more than 27 years in both the private and public sectors spanning military service, financial industry, and healthcare. He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer for one of Virginia’s largest agencies, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services overseeing information security for 12 state hospitals and the Central Office consisting of both traditional and remote workforce employees. 

Angus Chen has over 18 years of hands-on experience assessing, developing, and implementing technology solutions for a broad range of organizations, including MITRE, the Federal Reserve Board, and FINRA, as well as several public and private partnerships.  

Enhancing Resilience Against Cyber Attacks

One of the key topics discussed was how AI can be employed to bolster the defense mechanisms of organizations against cyber attacks. In a world where cyber threats continue to evolve, traditional defenses often struggle to keep up. The industry finds itself in a race against time, and AI presents a potential solution. By identifying patterns and escalation in AI usage, organizations can deploy defenses more quickly. The history of machine-assisted attacks and automated domain-name generation to evade detection was also explored. 

The Evolving Role of Human Cybersecurity Professionals 

Amid concerns about AI replacing human cybersecurity professionals, it was emphasized that AI should be viewed as a toolset rather than a replacement. The cybersecurity community must learn to effectively leverage AI to defend networks. Creativity and adaptability are vital, as AI can be used for various purposes, such as implementing synthetic data sets to enhance data security and quickly identifying vulnerabilities. 

Ethical Considerations and Policy Implications

Implementing AI in cybersecurity raises important ethical considerations. The responsible use of AI should focus on enhancing human intelligence rather than replacing it. The question of accountability lies not only with the creators but also with society as a whole. Policymakers face challenges in keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI, and guidelines and strict policies need to be implemented to protect sensitive data and intellectual property. 

Challenges in AI Implementation

Organizations encounter several challenges when implementing AI-driven systems in cybersecurity. Adding AI to traditional defense layers requires careful consideration, as control theory issues may arise. Uncontrolled AI can potentially weaponize vulnerabilities and compromise underlying operating systems. Additionally, the limitations of AI in recognizing malicious use were acknowledged, highlighting the need for further advancements. 

Diversity and Governance in AI

Diversity plays a crucial role in AI development and governance. The lack of diversity among those building language models can result in inherent biases. Data localization laws may also hinder diversity in training data. Ultimately, responsibility for AI governance lies with a combination of stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and individuals who must uphold social responsibility. 

Future events 

This webinar is the first in a series we will be running this year on the implications of AI for the Cyber Security sectors in the UK and the USA. If you’re interested in attending future events, please contact us here.