Nowadays, no company can avoid cyber security. Attacks at IT level are constantly increasing and companies that recognize this threat can protect themselves adequately. In addition, legal requirements must now be met, which can create trust with customers and employees.

AI now provides a solution to these challenges, as it is able to evaluate data in real time and thus detect potential failures at an early stage. This can be a real game changer for IT teams.

The following blog post takes a closer look at the role of AI in IT security, how it can be used and what it can do for companies. What risks do companies need to keep an eye on? And how can this technology be used responsibly? The aim is to provide guidance – for anyone who wants to deal with the topic in a future-proof yet realistic way.

This is how AI can be used:

AI has become indispensable these days – especially in the field of cyber and IT security. Intelligent systems can be used to secure networks efficiently and quickly, without any human assistance. There are various aspects in which AI can be helpful:

• AI is an advantage when it comes to threat detection, as it can evaluate data quickly. Deviations or errors are detected so that appropriate measures can be taken against a failure or potential attack.
• Automated reactions follow. After quickly detecting a deviation, the AI can, for example, isolate the affected system or block the suspicious connection without human assistance.
• AI also enables companies to adhere to compliance requirements such as NIS-2, as they meet the strict regulations of continuous monitoring and response to security vulnerabilities.

In short: AI is not a panacea – but it is a helpful tool for complying with safety standards more quickly and effectively.

Advantages of AI in cyber security:

Using AI in cyber security is no longer a future scenario – it is already a reality today. And one that brings real benefits. Nowadays, cyber attacks are becoming more and more frequent, increasing the pressure on companies and their employees. AI thus offers the opportunity to automate such processes and thus save manpower. This has several advantages:

• Efficiency is increased. Recurring tasks such as log analyses, vulnerability scans or the filtering of false alarms can be automated. This gives IT teams the time to focus on essential tasks.
• AI can also react quickly to threats. As the AI can recognize deviations immediately, action can be taken quickly to limit damage. This rapid action can be crucial in an emergency to protect systems and minimize downtime.
• And incidentally, the use of AI can also save money. This is due firstly to the reduction in damage, but also to the lower cost of repairing this damage.

AI does not replace humans, but it can relieve them of work. And that is precisely what makes it a valuable partner in modern cyber security.

Challenges and risks of AI

As many opportunities as AI offers, it is not a miracle cure without side effects. Especially in the sensitive area of cyber security, it is important to keep an eye on the risks and challenges. Because one thing is clear: cyber criminals don’t sleep either.

• The misuse of AI by attackers is a serious issue. Phishing emails, for example, are becoming increasingly convincing thanks to AI – more personalized, more error-free and harder to detect. Deepfakes or automated attacks on systems are now also part of the repertoire of modern attackers. Unfortunately, AI is becoming a tool on the “dark side” here.
• Another problem area: data quality and security. AI models learn from data – but if this data is incomplete, one-sided or simply incorrect, this leads to incorrect assessments. In cyber security, this can have fatal consequences, for example if attacks are overlooked or harmless processes are incorrectly blocked.
• And then there is the issue of transparency. With AI, it can sometimes be difficult to understand decisions, which means that there is no basis of trust and legal requirements may not be met.

If you want to use AI, you need clear rules and people who take responsibility for the technology. Only then will AI become a real safety asset.

Best practices for the use of AI in cybersecurity

AI can strengthen cyber security enormously – if it is used correctly. This is not just about technology, but also about strategy, responsibility and common sense. Because one thing is clear: AI alone does not make a secure system:

• It is important to know that AI is not there to replace security strategies. It merely serves as a supplement. Additional protective measures must therefore be taken to adequately protect a company.
• Training for employees is just as important. This is because many failures are caused by users’ ignorance. To avoid this, companies can invest in appropriate workshops to increase understanding.
• AI is also capable of working around the clock. This means that attacks can be detected and responded to day and night. They also need to be updated regularly to cope with the growing IT landscape. Otherwise, there is a risk that it will no longer be able to react correctly in an emergency.
• And last but not least: ethical and legal standards must be adhered to. Transparency, data protection and fairness should not fall by the wayside – not even (or especially) when machines are making decisions.

AI is therefore a powerful lever – but only if we use it responsibly.

Conclusion: How does AI secure companies?

In summary, it can be said that AI can support companies enormously in their security strategies. They can recognize deviations and errors faster than humans and react accordingly. This can relieve the burden on IT teams and increase the efficiency of processes. At the same time, it is important to realize that AI cannot completely replace employees. AI can also make errors of judgment or even be misused by attackers.

AI should therefore not be seen as the only solution, but as part of a holistic security concept.

A look into the future clearly shows that AI has become an integral part of cyber security. Thanks to its increasing functions and automation, it will be able to protect companies even better in the future. So anyone who invests in a strong combination of technology and human expertise today is well positioned for the digital future.