When hackers start attacking a password management app, you know that cyber security should become a top priority for everyone! In April, it was revealed how malicious actors used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to craft a fake audio that mimicked the voice of LastPass’ CEO in an attempt to entice an unsuspecting staff member. But the attack failed, thanks to the employee’s keen instincts and LastPass’ security protocols.
Whilst AI can be used with malicious intent like in the example mentioned above, we should start using AI to protect our businesses. “The organisations and individuals fighting cybercrime now have an ally that offers ever-increasing capabilities: Artificial Intelligence (AI),” according to entrepreneur Bartosz Skwarczek, Founder and President of G2A Capital Group Supervisory Board.
So, how is AI and automation reshaping cyber security?
Power Up Cyber Security with AI and Automation
Cyber security is now becoming a strategic necessity, as 81% of leaders feel more exposed to cybercrime than ever before. With the rise of remote work, cloud computing, and IoT devices, the attack surface has expanded.
As they realise that robust security measures should be non-negotiable, organisations are levelling up to protect their assets, customer information, and intellectual property.
Whilst not everyone has the same cyber security budget or IT expertise, automation and Artificial Intelligence for cyber security are becoming more and more accessible. Even small businesses can now leverage AI-driven tools to manage and protect their data. This means that organisations of all sizes can benefit from AI’s ability to detect and prevent threats – radically faster and more accurately than traditional methods.
Our article, 3 Things You Need to Know About the AI-Driven Cyber Security Landscape, goes through those use cases of how AI can be used for cyber defence.
Microsoft Copilot: Cyber Security at the Speed of AI
Did you know that Copilot can also enhance your protection? Microsoft Copilot is designed to assist users in various tasks. It leverages advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms to understand and respond to user queries. It has become a versatile companion in performing tasks, ranging from general knowledge to content generation and coding help.
Copilot works by analysing the context of the user’s request and generating a relevant response. This AI-powered tool integrates with the Microsoft Suite and can be accessible to anyone with a Microsoft business licence.
More than an AI-powered assistant to enhance productivity, Copilot can also strengthen cyber security in many ways:
- AI-Powered Assistance: Utilises generative AI to summarise data signals and detect cyber threats, enhancing security posture
- Actionable Responses: Answers security and IT questions in natural language, providing quick solutions to common tasks
- Time-Saver: Saves time on routine tasks so security teams can focus on strategic work and skill development
- Integrated Products: Works with Microsoft products like Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Intune, for comprehensive security
- In Microsoft Defender: Copilot streamlines security investigations, disrupts early-stage cyber-attacks, enhances incident visibility across platforms, and accelerates responses using automation.
- In Microsoft Intune: Copilot enables efficient incident investigation with natural language queries and integrates with the Microsoft Security suite. It also safeguards cloud endpoints and enhances user experience with AI-driven insights.
- In Microsoft Purview: Copilot ensures data governance, compliance, and risk reduction. It provides visibility, control, and sensitive data protection across apps, clouds, and devices.
- In Microsoft Entra: Copilot enhances the hybrid workforce experience, providing smooth access to resources and self-management capabilities. It helps manage identity permissions throughout multi-cloud environments, securing app and resource access.
You can learn more about the transformative potential of Microsoft Copilot in our exclusive OnDemand webinar. Gain insights from ONGC experts on how to harness AI and Business Process Automation for optimising your operations and staying ahead in the digital era.
Security Considerations in AI
AI and automation are also revolutionising regulatory compliance. By leveraging AI, you can streamline compliance processes, enhance accuracy, and proactively address risks. AI can help you track compliance requirements, assess gaps, and recommend corrective actions.
However, the other side of the coin is around data privacy and governance, which must be a priority for Australian businesses. This AI revolution introduces complex data privacy and access control challenges.
AI systems often require large amounts of data to train and operate effectively. Once this data is collected, inadequate safeguards can lead to unauthorised access and breaches, potentially exposing sensitive personal information.
Ethical AI principles are crucial in this context, guiding the responsible use of AI, ensuring respect for privacy rights and fostering trust:
- Fairness and Transparency – ensures that AI tools are unbiased and do not discriminate against any group.
- Privacy Protection – safeguarding personal data by adhering to data privacy law.
- Accountability – business owners are ultimately responsible for how AI is used within their organisation.
Protect The Future of Your Business
As cyber threats evolve, so must our defences. AI and automation can empower businesses to proactively tackle security challenges. However, we must also navigate AI complexities, prioritising data privacy and ethical use to truly harness its power responsibly.
As a Managed IT Provider, Cyber Security expert and Microsoft partner, ONGC holds all the keys to enable your use of AI tools, such as Copilot, securely and in line with your overall IT strategy.
If you want to learn more about how you can prepare your business for AI, download our free eBook Prepare for the Next Wave of Artificial Intelligence.
