The Role of AI in Strengthening Cybersecurity: Promise and Risks

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly playing a critical role in bolstering cybersecurity, offering capabilities that can revolutionize how organizations detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats. AI-driven solutions, such as machine learning (ML) models, can process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, identifying patterns and anomalies that human analysts might overlook. These systems enhance threat detection through techniques like anomaly detection, behavioural analysis, and predictive analytics, enabling quicker and more efficient identification of sophisticated attacks, such as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Additionally, AI facilitates automated incident response, reducing the time between detection and mitigation, which is crucial in minimizing damage from cyberattacks. However, while AI strengthens cybersecurity, it also introduces new vulnerabilities. Adversarial attacks, such as data poisoning and model evasion, are emerging threats where attackers manipulate AI models to bypass security defences or produce erroneous outputs. Moreover, cybercriminals are leveraging AI to develop more sophisticated malware, phishing attacks, and social engineering tactics. The dual use of AI by defenders and attackers creates a constant arms race in cybersecurity, necessitating robust frameworks to secure AI systems themselves. This paper explores the transformative impact of AI on cybersecurity, analysing its potential benefits and the emerging risks associated with its deployment. By examining both defensive applications and the growing threat landscape, this study underscores the need for an adaptive and secure AI infrastructure in cybersecurity, ensuring that as AI evolves, it remains a force for enhancing digital security without amplifying risks.