Technological advancements propel industries into the future, and artificial intelligence (AI) stands forward in this innovation. From transforming healthcare with predictive analytics to revolutionizing the automotive industry with autonomous vehicles, AI’s impact is profound and far-reaching.
Yet, as industries harness AI to push the boundaries of what’s possible, cybersecurity emerges as a critical battleground where AI’s potential delivers good and evil.
Vihar Garlapati, the director of technology at Optum with 17 years of IT experience, delves into this discourse. He explores how AI can offer unprecedented capabilities while introducing new vulnerabilities. Among the vulnerabilities are in identity access management (IAM), fraud detection, and automated systems management.
Garlapati draws from his experience successfully deploying sophisticated security solutions across the healthcare and financial sectors. These include implementing on-premises, cloud, and software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based services as well as enhancing enterprise risk management, compliance, and productivity.
The Promise of AI in Efficiency, Scalability, and Proactive Prevention
AI’s application in cybersecurity is multifaceted but specializes in enhancing operational efficiency and security. Garlapati explains that AI excels in identifying patterns and anomalies in large datasets, which allows it to detect fraudulent activities that might elude human analysts.
It can analyze large volumes of access data to identify patterns that might indicate potential security threats, thereby providing proactive security measures.
For instance, AI algorithms can quickly analyze transaction data across multiple channels to spot inconsistencies, numerous user attempts, and suspicious behaviours. These behaviours may include unusually large transactions or frequent cross-border payments.
Garlapati explains that AI-driven cybersecurity systems can automatically isolate affected systems, block malicious activities, and initiate remediation processes. This capability speeds up detection and enhances accuracy, reducing the chances of overlooking or misclassifying fraudulent activities.
“AI has transformed IAM, enabling dynamic access controls and real-time threat detection that were previously unimaginable,” Garlapati explains. “These patterns and behaviours can identify potential security breaches before they occur, allowing for preemptive action and preventing further fraudulent activities from occurring.”
Automation, powered by AI, also introduces streamlined cybersecurity processes, reducing the risks of errors and the time and workforce required for routine tasks. This capability is valuable in the financial sector and healthcare, where the speed and accuracy of fraud detection and response time can significantly result in a major financial loss or life-threatening scenarios.
The Other Side of the Coin
Like any other innovation, AI can significantly improve efficiency, but it also poses risks and challenges. Garlapati explains that AI systems requiring access to large amounts of sensitive user data, including biometrics and behavioural patterns, can raise concerns about data privacy and security.
“The vast amounts of data required to train AI systems pose a significant risk if not managed and protected properly,” he adds. “There’s a fine line between using data to protect and inadvertently exposing it to new vulnerabilities. This is where robust encryption, secure data storage, and strict access policies are much needed.”
AI models may also develop biases based on the data they are trained on. Garlapati cautions that this can disrupt normal operations, unwarranted access restrictions, overlooked breaches, or unfair targeting of certain groups or individuals.
False positives flag legitimate activities as fraudulent, which can inconvenience customers and strain relationships. Reliance on AI may also create a sense of complacency among users and administrators, leading to neglect of necessary manual oversight and periodic reviews of access control policies.
What Businesses Need to Do
With the pros and cons of AI in cybersecurity laid out, the question remains: is AI beneficial for cybersecurity? For Garlapati, the answer is yes, provided that the proper guidance and implementations are in place.
Successfully integrating AI into cybersecurity is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful study, strategic application, and continuous monitoring to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with business objectives.
“Everything new can be daunting,” he emphasizes. “But you will never know unless you try and explore. Once businesses take that first step, the rest just follows.”
In this intricacy, Garlapati’s familiarity comes into play. As a seasoned leader in the field, he has the knowledge and experience to navigate the complexities of AI in cybersecurity, carefully weighing the opportunities and risks and tailoring solutions to meet each business’s unique needs and goals.
His extensive exposure to leading cybersecurity initiatives across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, has given him a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges of each sector and the sophistication of threats that continue to evolve.
“Embracing AI in cybersecurity is not just about adopting new technology; it’s about building a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability,” Garlapati shares. “For us at the forefront, by staying ahead of the curve and continuous exploration, we can guide businesses to confidently navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and reap the benefits of AI-driven solutions.”
