The world the last few years has experienced a sharp rise in the cases of cybercrimes. Only a few weeks have passed when users of one of the largest technology companies in the world became victims of an Orwellian-scale data leak. These attacks become broader and more extensive as cyber criminals target our digital assets with higher levels of dexterity. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Cyber security threats have become more complex in recent years and with the emergence of AI, industry could receive new approaches to face such threats. The purpose of this article is to identify the possible positive effects that AI applications can bring to cybersecurity and the controversies it can be associated with at the same time.

For many years, everyone thought that their cyberspace was safe or, at least, safe enough because, in the early days and months of using the internet, viruses and other cyber threats were uncomplicated. Hackers would engage in simple tactics to take advantage of flaws in software, penetrate the security of an organization’s networks and steal the company’s data. Although these threats have not disappeared they are not dominant anymore due to new forms of attacks that have appeared in recent years.

One example of APTs is sophisticated, long-term, highly professional, and well-funded intrusions by an organized group of attackers with the goal of exploiting a company’s value for an extended period of time. Another of the new trends is ransomware attacks, the essence of which is the encryption of the files of the victims and the receipt of money for the decryption of the files. Phishing emails and business email compromise scams are common examples of social engineering attacks that rely on people’s weaknesses to obtain confidential information or authorization to secure networks.

Modern threats have surged which is why simple approaches to data protection do not work anymore and traditional security technologies cannot cope with new challenges. The most stringent safety measures such as firewalls, antivirus and IDS can only partially assist in the identification of such attacks. This has created the need for new solutions which can, recognize threats and act promptly.

AI technology is most favourable as a solution to the continually emerging nature of cyber threats. It is hence possible for an organization to reduce the risk of cyber threats by employing the use of natural language processing combined with machine learning and behavioural analytics to detect, handle and even predict threats, unlike the regular security measures that are in the market today.

AI in cybersecurity has several categories with one of them being threat identification. Suppose, based on enormous amounts of data collected from the network and systems traffic, user interactions with websites, or system logs, machine learning algorithms can detect patterns of activity and deviations that may mean a security threat. Such algorithms can be taught to identify particular attributes associated with compromise for example known viruses or perhaps certain IP addresses to alert security personnel.

One of the most common methods employed by cyber attackers is phishing emails and natural language processing can be used to find such emails. AI can also analyze the contents of emails they can detect words and phrases and more important links or attachments that might be the telltale signs of a phishing email.

With the help of behavioural analytics, one can recognize such deviations in the user’s actions that would signal an incident. For example, AI technology can watch how the users handle their computers and alert security if any of them transmits online data in larger volumes or logins into certain systems during odd times.

AI can also be used in the response to a possible threat as soon as it has been identified. Automated incident response systems are capable of reactive actions or measures that can be implemented upon recognition of an incident and these measures may include system isolation, blocking of IP addresses conducting the threats or revoking the users’ access in order to contain the threat.

Another advantage of using AI in threat hunting and threat investigation is the better speed and effectiveness of identifying and analyzing threats. With the help of machine learning algorithms and machine, security professionals can assign more attention and spend more time working on the most significant threats.

However, apart from threat detection and response to incidents, AI can also improve all operational security in an organization. Integrated SIEM systems with AI systems can analyze big data from various sources giving real-time information relating to an organization’s security status and can help discover threats faster.

Automated vulnerability scanning and vulnerability management with the application of artificial intelligence can effectively let organizations focus on the most susceptible gaps in the systems used, and prevent cyber criminals from finding the weak spots in the IT network. With the help of machine learning algorithms, organizations will be able to rate every vulnerability on the scale of affectation and probability and target the most critical threats.

There is a clear potential for benefits in applying AI for cybersecurity, but there are also risks, and ethical issues to be stepped around. One such issue is privacy since the collection and processing of large amounts of data is a source of privacy risks. Threat intelligence in AI systems mostly depends on gathering and analyzing large volumes of data to identify threats. However, this may pose certain issues to the privacy and security of the information that is shared.

Another emphasis is that AI systems can be prejudiced or act unfairly or discriminatively. For instance, an algorithm such as machine learning is capable of being coded in a particular way, and the data it uses, including biased data. This might cause the AI systems to deliver a decision or a recommendation that is prejudiced against a specific person or even a particular community.

Last but not least, it is important to understand that AI is not a substitute for human knowledge in securing cyberspace. Despite the fact that AI effectively contributes to and reinforces the tasks of a security worker and provides valuable assistance, it is impossible to achieve mankind’s ability to think creatively, solve problems, and make judgments. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and proliferate in cybersecurity environments, cybersecurity professionals will invariably need to remain involved in the creation and deployment of security systems that utilize artificial intelligence as well as dealing with consequences stemming from cyber attacks.

In the following paper, the importance of the integration of AI in cybersecurity will be described as a revolutionary tool which provides efficient solutions to modern threats. AI systems are designed using machine learning, natural language processing, and behavioural analytics and can thus recognize, act on, and even predict cyber threats than conventional security solutions. But there is a cry that needs to be made about the potential and problems AI in cybersecurity that organizations should heed: data privacy issues; AI bias; and the enduring significance of cybersecurity professionals.

In the future, there is a need for organizations to understand that implementing AI into cybersecurity can have its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is possible to implement artificial intelligence into the sphere of cybersecurity without having negative consequences and deepening the vulnerability of systems, by following the rule of innovativeness with responsibility and constant human supervision over the actions of artificial intelligence.

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Maher Asaad Baker
ماهر أسعد بكر
https://maher.solav.me

During the last years, work from home and digital nomadism have become globally more and more popular. A digital nomad is a person who works remotely and his or her work could be freelance or location-independent and at the same time travels often, having a nomadic lifestyle.

There is an increased use of video conferencing solutions such as Zoom and portable WiFi connection means that individuals can perform their duties effectively regardless of location. In Global tourism, open spaces referred to as co-working areas are available to support remote workers. Now there are many applications such as slack and trello to manage communication and share files with individuals who are in different locations. It has created the conditions for location-free work, thus opening new opportunities for the use of technology.

The COVID-19 really boosted this trend further. Thus, while the phenomenon of working on one’s personal growth began initially out of necessity during the lockdown, it became possible to continue with it into the future. Pandemic forced working remotely According to a Gallup survey more than fifty percent of the white-collar workers in the US worked from home during the pandemic. Some of the giants in the field of technology such as Automattic, GitLab, and Coinbase are among the organizations that have transitioned to complete remote work. This shift has bestowed more professionals the liberty to work while on the move.

It is not a big shock that countries with a lower cost of living and exotic climates are among the most popular among digital nomads. The 2022 index of nestpick has revealed that Lisbon, Porto, Athens, Tenerife, Riga, Bali, Prague, Dubrovnik, Bangkok, and Budapest are the ten most popular digitally nomadic cities in the world. To compete with these platforms, governments are also emerging with digital nomad and remote work visas. Estonia began issuing a digital nomad visa in 2019. Barbados, Croatia, Iceland, Argentina and Thailand have also come up with such the long-term visas for remote workers.

Companies such as Outsite and Roam offer fully equipped houses, working spaces with a very fast internet connection and various events and co-working meetings for people working remotely across the world. New startups such as Tandem are co-living as a Turing startup into an experience. They also use WiFly app to engage other nomads and Couchers app to look for hosts or guests for home stay anywhere in the world. Two of the most known websites for reviews, tools, and advice on how to plan your remote work trips are such platforms as The Nomad List, Honeypot, and Workfrom. There are existing nomadic communities online, such as closed groups on Facebook like the Digital Nomad Girls to keep travelers connected around the world.

But, as with any bright-side presented in commercials, the glamorous life of a digital nomad is not without its problems. Frequently flying across time zones interferes with circadian rhythms, and thus the productivity of the business travelers is affected. It is challenging to balance work, life, and responsibilities for any family without structures. However, as with all the technological interlinkage, constant migration only serves to deepen the feeling of isolation. Creating digital wellbeing schedules which include batching periods where work is inaccessible, co-working restricted to certain hours, exercise, and journaling is necessary.

Despite what we have just seen about the extent of the mobility that currently exists in the world people are still restricted from entering many countries because of visas. Health insurance also becomes an area that is in transition constantly. They also have certain ethical implications which Location-independent living brings to the environment. Thus, it is crucial to engage in purposeful travel to reduce the negative effects of the overcrowding, especially when following sustainable tourism practices.

In the future, nomads will have an even deeper immersion into the target culture and become part of local communities as they will no longer solely rent spaces for living. There are likely to be even more people choosing new ‘multi-homed’ lifestyles that involve spending one month of their time experiencing rootedness and another month of mobility. While beautiful places will still entice remote employees, the dream places will be selected more purposefully with respect to values and the type of experiences that they wish to create.

Maher Asaad Baker
ماهر أسعد بكر
https://maher.solav.me

Image by http://www.freepik.com

Steph Deschamps / June 13,  2024