Key Takeaways
- According to new research, 83% of organizations are using AI to combat a wave of AI-driven cyberattacks.
- Despite this, 68% of respondents also confirmed that their jobs have become harder in the last two years.
- The future of cybersecurity hinges on a three-pronged approach comprising technology, talent, and upskilling existing employees.
83% of organizations are using, or planning to adopt, AI to bolster their cybersecurity, a new study has revealed.
According to the research, the top use cases for AI include automating scanning and testing (50%), predictive risk analysis (48%), and threat detection (38%). Despite the emergence of AI, a further 68% of respondents say that the job has become harder in the last two years.
The study points to the yawning cybersecurity skills gap, which is devastating the business sector. Ultimately, to combat the rise of AI-driven cyberthreats, organizations need to adopt a three-pronged approach — deploying the latest AI security systems, upskilling their existing employees, and investing in top talent.
83% of Organizations Leveraging AI for Cybersecurity
According to new research from ISSA and Omdia, the majority of organizations are either already using AI or planning to in order to combat the rise of AI-driven cyberthreats. The “Life and Times of Cybersecurity Professionals” finds that no fewer than 83% of organizations have AI at the center of their cybersecurity plans.
Top use cases for AI include automating scanning and testing (50%), predictive risk analysis (48%), and threat detection (38%). Despite this sharp uptick in adoption, however, a further 68% of respondents confirm that their jobs have become harder in the last two years.
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This impact is being felt across the business, with almost half of respondents confirming that they’ve thought about leaving their role in the last 18 months, with 57% of those considering leaving cybersecurity entirely.
AI Spend Not Aligned to Strategy
The results suggest that part of the problem stems from inefficient AI strategies. Reportedly, 25% of organizations have increased their AI spending without a defined strategy connecting it to their employees or security program.
The existing workforce is feeling the brunt of this disconnect between spend and strategy. According to the study, 71% of participants say that technology decisions are made without the input of security teams.
“Eight years of data point to the same conclusion. The profession is struggling not because talent is scarce, but because organizations are not investing enough in the people they already have. That is the leadership opportunity in front of us right now.” – ISSA President, Jimmy Sanders
Businesses Reach Cybersecurity Inflection Point
This spiral is leaving businesses in a tough spot. As employees become more disenchanted, the existing skills gap threatens to become more pronounced. And with 88% of cybersecurity professionals already experiencing the “significant” impacts of the skills gap, that could spell disaster for the business sector.
Ultimately, a coherent and effective cybersecurity strategy rests on a three-pronged approach. Organizations must continue to invest in the latest defense technology in order to keep pace with hackers, who are increasingly adopting new AI-driven approaches.
However, this strategy will only succeed if paired with an aggressive investment in talent. Institutions need to closely monitor the talent pool and move quickly to hire the latest specialists. With several higher education facilities adopting a hands-on approach to cybersecurity learning, this pool should hopefully deepen in the future.
Finally, businesses need to upskill their existing employees in cybersecurity best practices. This is a problem that starts at the top, with a shocking 98% of senior leaders unable to correctly identify all the signs of a phishing attack.
