Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written By: Shahnawaz Backer, Senior Solutions Architect, F5 Inc

Given the escalating utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, the role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in implementing and adopting AI has become indispensable. Presently, organisations face potential risks stemming from the following:

• Irresponsible use of generative AI tools.The reckless utilisation of first- or third-party generative AI tools can inadvertently expose confidential data, leading to breaches of privacy and security.
• AI-powered cyberattacks.Cyber attackers leveraging AI capabilities pose a significant threat as they may exploit vulnerabilities in existing defences utilising intelligent evasion techniques or overwhelm systems with automated botnets.
• Compliance with regional regulations.Organisations must navigate the complexities of regional regulations pertaining to the collection and utilisation of personal information, ensuring compliance to safeguard privacy and mitigate legal risks.

CISOs Need to Be Proactive  

Addressing these risks requires the proactive involvement of CISOs. In particular, they must engage in meticulous planning and execution of a comprehensive strategy encompassing the following key considerations. Each of these are essential to make sure AI utilisation is beneficial rather than detrimental to a business.

“Given the escalating utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, the role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in implementing and adopting AI has become indispensable.”

1. Sector identification.Identifying sectors within the enterprise where AI can yield the greatest benefits while acknowledging associated risks. For instance, leveraging AI in the field of cybersecurity can enhance the ability to detect and identify mutated attacks or find users with malicious intent.
2. Data classification and governance.Implementing robust systems for classifying and governing data necessary to train AI models helps ensure protection against inadvertent data leaks and compliance with regulatory framework.
3. Enterprise policy for responsible AI use.Establishing an enterprise-wide policy that promotes responsible use of AI by staff members is also the responsibility of CISOs. In doing so, these policies can help ensure that AI is used in ways that will benefit the enterprise, not hurt it.
4. Behavioural monitoring.Employing vigilant monitoring mechanisms to detect and investigate any unusual behaviors or anomalies within AI systems, helps in promptly addressing potential security threats.
5. Ethical considerations.Adhering to ethical principles and ensuring that AI applications are developed and deployed with careful consideration for privacy, fairness, transparency, and accountability are also crucial tasks that CISOs need to accomplish.

By adopting proactive security measures, monitoring emerging threats and adhering to legal and regulatory requirements, CISOs can help organisations navigate the AI landscape with confidence and minimise potential risks.

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