New Research Shows Accelerating AI Adoption is Critical to Public and Private Sector Resilience Against Evolving Cyber Threats
While one in three cybersecurity professionals (31 percent) say their organization is using AI for cyber today, another 50 percent are actively working toward adoption.
Eighty percent of cybersecurity decision makers say accelerating artificial intelligence adoption is critical to their organization’s resilience against evolving threats, but only 31 percent say their organization is using AI today, according to a new study from MeriTalk, government IT and RSA Conference. The study highlights the importance of human-AI collaboration in cybersecurity strategies, with many experts emphasizing the need for organizations to establish clear policies and guidelines to maximize the benefits of AI adoption while minimizing risks.
AI technologies like machine learning and natural language processing have shown promise in improving vulnerability detection and incident response times, but concerns around safety, ethics, and responsible development persist. Cyber professionals recognize the potential for innovation and efficiency through human-AI collaboration, but acknowledge the need for robust governance and ethical frameworks to guide AI implementation in cybersecurity operations.
The study underlines the gaps in current AI governance, with less than half of organizations having documented policies for decision-making models or formal ethical guidelines. Cyber leaders express a desire for humans to maintain ownership of strategic planning and governance, while AI takes the lead on data-heavy tasks like threat detection and response. As organizations strive to combat AI-driven cybersecurity threats, the report suggests that fear of attacks on new AI models, workforce skills shortages, and data quality challenges are the primary barriers to AI adoption.
Despite these challenges, cybersecurity professionals remain optimistic about the future of human-AI collaboration in cybersecurity. The report emphasizes the need for organizations to carefully evaluate and define the boundaries for integrating AI into their cybersecurity workstreams and processes. By embracing AI technologies strategically and responsibly, organizations can enhance their security posture and effectively defend against evolving cyber threats.
For more information and to review the full findings of the report, visit the MeriTalk website.
