The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

The Future Of

Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

The interest in Artificial Intelligence remains high, yet humans continue to play a critical role.

Arctic Wolf, in partnership with CyberRisk Alliance, conducted a survey of over 800 cybersecurity decision makers in North America and the United Kingdom to understand how organizations are weighing the benefits and risks of deploying AI tools, and what those tools mean for human practitioners moving forward.

We found that, while interest in AI appears to be gaining momentum, leadership at organizations across industries and regions are not prepared to fully embrace and trust AI as a solution independent of human expertise.
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While the survey gave us answers, it also prompted one major question:

“How and where do humans fit into the AI-empowered next generation of security operations?”
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What the Cybersecurity AI Survey Reveals

There’s An Appetite For AI

Security professionals are undeniably enthusiastic about the potential for AI, believing it has the ability to enhance their security operations center (SOC) capabilities and drive their cybersecurity strategy moving forward.
The survey found that 64% of respondents indicated that their organization is highly likely to adopt an AI-centric solution
The survey found that 64% of respondents indicated that their organization is highly likely to adopt an AI-centric solution
Respondents
29%

of respondents see the primary benefit of AI as enhanced threat detection

23%

of respondents see the primary benefit of AI as automated response and recovery

Respondents
23%

of respondents see the primary benefit of AI as automation of repetitive tasks

Respondents

Cybersecurity Leaders see an opportunity for AI to reduce stress on human analysts

54%
Respondents

believe AI will show its value by reducing burnout and staff turnover among their security teams

"AI may bring in some breathing space to address the skills shortage."

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Survey Respondent

Hesitancy is the Prevailing Attitude Toward AI Adoption

Only about a third of respondents see adding AI-centric solutions as a top priority to improve their cybersecurity readiness. As it turns out, many of the same challenges that have organizations turning to more comprehensive cybersecurity solutions are the same challenges organizations see coming down the pipe with AI.

While organizations welcome advanced technology, many lack the skills and budget to manage it, and are concerned about impacts to data privacy.

39% of respondents stated they lack the technical staff/skills to manage AI solutions
39% of respondents stated they lack the technical staff/skills to manage AI solutions
36% of respondents are concerned about data privacy and data bias
36% of respondents are concerned about data privacy and data bias
37% of respondents list budget and cost as their top challenge to adopting an AI solution
37% of respondents list budget and cost as their top challenge to adopting an AI solution
Only 22% of respondents plan to dedicate a majority of their cybersecurity budget towards these AI-powered solutions
Only 22% of respondents plan to dedicate a majority of their cybersecurity budget towards these AI-powered solutions

“Implementing AI is costly as it requires more expenditure on maintaining it.”

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Survey Respondent

The Human Component
Is Essential to Future AI Use

A commonality found throughout the survey results is organizations’ expectation that AI will empower human analysts, not act as a substitute for them.

One in four organizations holds the strongest preference for using humans over AI in their security operations. In addition, most respondents asserted the superiority of humans over AI when it comes to explaining the context of threats, underlining the unique cognitive capabilities that human experts bring to the complex nature of cybersecurity challenges.

"AI will make qualified people more effective and efficient, but not replace them."
Survey respondent
“An over-reliance on AI can lead to an increase in false alarms.”
Survey respondent

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What Does the Future Hold For AI?

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Future of AI Infographic

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Where do Humans Fit Into the AI-Empowered Next Generation of Security Operations?

See how over 800 cybersecurity decision makers in the U.S. and U.K. are weighing the benefits and risks of deploying AI tools.
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Additional Resources For

Security Leaders

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