AI tools in cybersecurity receive considerable attention, but cybersecurity teams remain careful in their adoption of these tools.
In a recent survey conducted by ISC2, industry experts have shown a growing interest in the adoption of AI security tools, despite some cautiousness about integration. According to Casey Marks, the chief qualifications officer at ISC2, "Our latest AI survey shows cautious but growing interest in AI security tools, with adoption expected to accelerate in the future."
Encouragingly, 44% of professionals report no impact on hiring from current or expected adoption of AI security tools, and 28% see AI creating new opportunities for entry-level talent. However, half of the respondents believe that AI will probably reduce the need for entry-level staff, which has sparked concerns about the potential impact on early career opportunities.
Three-in-ten cybersecurity practitioners already use AI tools in their daily workflows, with 42% exploring or testing the adoption of AI tools. The largest organizations (>10,000 employees) have the highest adoption rate of AI security tools, at 37%. On the other hand, financial services and the public sector have the lowest current adoption rates, at 21% and 16% respectively. Mid-sized firms (500-2,499 employees) and small firms (<99 employees) have the lowest adoption rates, with 20% in each group actively using AI for cybersecurity.
The benefits of AI in cybersecurity are evident, with improvements seen in network monitoring and intrusion detection, endpoint protection and response, vulnerability management, threat modeling, and security testing. Forty-five percent of respondents saw improvements in threat modeling, and 43% in security testing.
Several companies across multiple industries are currently using AI tools to enhance cybersecurity. Prominent adopters include Cylance (now part of BlackBerry), Vectra AI, Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, and Cybereason. These companies leverage AI tools predominantly in industrial, IT services, professional services, and financial sectors to bolster cybersecurity defenses against evolving AI-driven threats.
Industrial enterprises, IT services, and professional services organizations lead in the adoption of AI security tools, with 38%, 36%, and 34% adoption rates respectively. Also significant are financial services and healthcare, though at slightly lower adoption rates, driven by the need to protect sensitive financial and personal data.
Despite the advances in AI for cybersecurity, cybersecurity leaders express concern about AI-powered attacks such as deepfakes, voice cloning, and real-time impersonations, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Some experts have warned that practitioners could become over-reliant on AI, which could lead to a loss of important skills, complacency, and dangerous consequences for enterprises.
However, 70% of those who have already adopted AI security tools reported positive impacts on their team's overall effectiveness. Furthermore, 31% believe that AI will create new types of entry- and junior-level roles or increase demand, countering the decline in early career opportunities.
In conclusion, the adoption of AI security tools is on the rise, with leading companies like Cylance (BlackBerry), Vectra AI, Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, and Cybereason playing a significant role in this trend. As the landscape of cyber threats continues to evolve, the integration of AI in cybersecurity is expected to become increasingly crucial for businesses across various industries.
Endpoint protection and response is one area where AI technology shows significant improvement in cybersecurity, as 43% of respondents reported seeing enhancements. Meanwhile, the cybersecurity industry's adoption of AI tools is expected to escalate, particularly in large organizations, as various industries recognize their importance in bolstering cybersecurity defenses against advanced AI-driven threats.
