Using AI for Cybersecurity & Threat Defense

It is widely recognized that the introduction of AI tools is a two-edged sword when it comes to cybersecurity. Attackers, whether profit-driven hackers or hostile nation-states, are using AI to launch faster, wider-spread and more sophisticated attacks, including AI-generated phishing and spear phishing emails, malware capable of adapting to changes in defensive responses, and deepfakes that are very hard to detect.

State and local agencies are attractive targets, since there are many more of them and often do not have the financial or IT resources of federal agencies. 

This makes state and local agencies’ use of AI in cyber defense critical – AI tools can operate at machine speed and scale and adapt in response to evolving threats. These tools can significantly improve threat detection and intelligence by identifying anomalies and patterns signaling attacks under way; automating incident responses such as isolating compromised devices and resetting credentials; using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to flag sophisticated phishing and social engineering attacks; and prioritizing vulnerabilities to emphasize the most critical risks. 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify available AI tools to determine which best fit the security needs of your agency
• Review ways to integrate AI cybersecurity into existing defenses
• Understand the nature and magnitude of the threats posed by AI-empowered attacks