Can Artificial Intelligence Solve the Cybersecurity Talent Drain?

Online Exclusive: Can Artificial Intelligence Solve the Cybersecurity Talent Drain?

Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning allows organizations to enjoy real time protection and risk identification, significantly reducing security risks without the need to increase staff.

  • By Santosh Varughese
  • Sep 23, 2016

There is a persistent danger in the cybersecurity field that threatens every industry and organization and it is not coming from a foreign country or a group of rouge criminals. The demand for cybersecurity professionals has outstripped supply, and this shortage has reached critical levels.  According to the Peninsula Press analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 209,000 cybersecurity jobs remain unfulfilled, and that number is expected to grow even larger in the next few years.

Since the massive Target breach brought the issue of cybersecurity to the forefront of public awareness, countless organizations have seen their systems hacked and valuable data stolen including UPS, Sony, Chase, Home Depot, and Anthem. In this acrimonious election year, both the DNC and RNC have been hacked to embarrassing results. Is it any wonder that the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate demand for cybersecurity to grow 53 percent over the next two years?

Some efforts are underway to rectify the talent shortage. The government has leveraged millions in federal grants to help organizations train, develop, and retain cybersecurity professionals for critical industries like healthcare. Cisco announced in June it would invest $10 million in scholarships to help bridge the cybersecurity talent gap. More and more healthcare organizations are developing internal initiatives to develop workers for cybersecurity positions. However, while these strategies are admirable and will certainly secure more skilled workers in the long run, they do little to rectify the threat caused by the immediate lack of talent.

With no immediate relief in sight for the cybersecurity talent drought, new cybersecurity solutions that leverage the automation afforded by machine learning and artificial intelligence may prove the solution to the healthcare and great security industries’ problems.

Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning allows organizations to enjoy real time protection and risk identification, significantly reducing security risks without the need to increase staff. This involves the use of behavior analysis and is made available through the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and data storage technologies over the last few years. Sometimes referred to as ambient surveillance, these programs constantly monitor networks and applications hosting sensitive data and are capable of detecting threats in real time. The technology generates baseline behavioral patterns for users on a network or interacting with an application or database, and can immediate detect unauthorized usage even if hackers are using stolen login credentials.

The technology is advanced, but the core concept is simple.  A baseline pattern of user behavior is established by the program. Once these baseline parameters are established, the AI program constantly surveys and guards the system in the background, and any actions that deviate from the baseline pattern, such as logging in from a new location or accessing a part of the system the user normally doesn’t access, are detected in real time. With concrete information, IT personnel can then rapidly respond to the situation with a targeted response, saving time and manpower.

Because the AI program is constantly monitoring and assessing the actions of every user, it can work independently to detect and flag violations without the need for extra manpower. Most programs that utilize this technology are also self-improving, meaning that the more it learns about the network and user habits, the more accurate it becomes with its detection of misuse. This reduces the need to hire and train personnel to constantly update and learn the new protocols associated with traditional firewalls and intrusion detection systems. This also means that most organizations that utilize AI can achieve the same or even greater overall cybersecurity protection without as much manpower. The AI takes over most of the monitoring and detection duties, with only a small team of professionals required to respond to intrusions flagged by the system.

The AI system also offers better protection than traditional monitoring methods. No matter how much money and time organizations spend on scouting and training cybersecurity talents, gaps in security are always left by human errors. Whether through negligence, bias, or simply poor training, human agents can often interfere with the very security protocols they are meant to implement, leading to more problems and the need for more manpower – both to oversee them and to fix any problem that arise from human error. This problem is greatly diminished when an AI program does most of the primary monitoring and heavy lifting.

Also facilitating the growth of availability of AI is the continued reduction in cost for components such as data storage, memory and processing power. As cloud computing and “big data” continue to become more accessible and affordable, more and more companies can harness the power of AI. Even five years ago this would have been almost unthinkable and unaffordable save for the very large enterprises. Moore’s Law only applied to integrated circuits, but a similar effect is being seen throughout the entire field of computing.

With the increased adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the cybersecurity field, the shortage of cybersecurity talent will begin to alleviate. Cybersecurity professionals will be freed from mundane surveillance, updating, and maintenance activities required of traditional cybersecurity solutions and can focus on developing more innovative solutions for IT infrastructure across their organization. AI can help the industry fulfill the old adage of working “smarter, not harder” and help end the risk created by the cybersecurity talent shortage.

Featured

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

  • Creating More Versatility

    Today, AI has become top of mind for most security professionals. It is the topic of conversation in the technology world and continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. Read Now

  • Report: 78 Percent of CISOs Seeing Significant Impact from AI-Powered Cyber Threats

    Darktrace recently unveiled its 2025 State of AI Cybersecurity report. The findings reveal that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say that AI-powered threats are having a significant impact on their organizations, a 5% increase1 from 2024. While an increasing number of CISOs report feeling a significant impact from AI threats, more than 60% now say that they are adequately prepared to defend against these threats, an increase of nearly 15% year-over-year. However, insufficient AI knowledge and skills and a shortage of personnel and talent continue to be listed as the two top inhibitors to a successful defense. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.