Survey: More Than Half of IT Security Professionals Are Concerned About AI-Powered Threats

Pluralsight recently released results from a survey that polled over 200 technologists about cybersecurity and AI. The findings show that 56% of security professionals are concerned about AI-powered threats. Additionally, the survey explores the top cybersecurity skills in today’s tech landscape and emerging cybersecurity roles.

Over half of surveyed technologists are either extremely concerned or moderately concerned about AI-powered threats, with only 6% saying they are not worried.

As artificial intelligence continues to dominate the technology landscape, these concerns about potential threats in cybersecurity have rapidly surfaced. According to Pluralsight’s AI Skills Report, only 40% of organizations have formal structured training and instruction for AI, and 74% of IT professionals worry that AI tools will replace their roles.

“Organizations are seeing advanced threat actors target critical infrastructure and OT technology more often,” said Bri Frost, Pluralsight’s Director of Security and IT Ops Curriculum. “These systems are typically outdated, with older operating systems and an easier target for vulnerabilities with a higher risk of devastating effects.”

In response to the increasing prevalence of AI-driven threats, there is a growing urgency for professionals to upskill and acquire specialized knowledge in order to effectively safeguard against these evolving challenges.

Over 75% of respondents indicated that threat intelligence and reverse engineering are the most valuable advanced cybersecurity skills of today, while 24% noted threat hunting among these skills.

“The top advanced cybersecurity skills today are those required to proactively test defenses against current and future tactics and quickly take that information and implement detections, protections, and ways of hunting for this activity across the organization,” said Aaron Rosenmund, Pluralsight’s Senior Director of Security and GenAI Skills. “This combined with a solid foundation in networking, endpoint, server, and cloud concepts will allow an individual to provide immediate results and risk reduction for an organization.”

As both cybersecurity and digitized threats progress, lesser-known cybersecurity roles are gaining prominence, contributing crucial expertise to protecting digital environments and valuable data.

Over a third (34%) of respondents suggested that Cybersecurity Data Scientists will become more mainstream in the near term and 22% indicated that Exploit Developers will also grow in popularity. Other rising cybersecurity roles include DevSecOps (16%), Red Team Operators (12%), Threat Hunters (10%), and ICS/SCADA Security Engineers (4%).

Frost also highlighted the need for Cybersecurity Data Scientists, noting that “sifting through huge datasets from a security analysis standpoint is getting increasingly difficult. Managing and monitoring logs from every kind of endpoint, network data, and user behavior is a big task - seeing a need for data analysts will help the process to quickly identify and mitigate malicious traffic more efficiently.”

It is clear that developing upskilling programs and understanding the threats of AI are imperative for the future of cybersecurity. As AI technology continues to advance, so do the complexities of the potential threats it poses.

The main takeaway; investing in continuous learning and development of advanced skills allows cybersecurity professionals to effectively anticipate, mitigate, and respond to evolving challenges. Taking a proactive approach both enhances organizational resilience and further secures digital infrastructures.

Featured

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.