The advent of computers has always been said to improve how we do things and in turn replace human element in some things; thereby taking over some jobs that were initially done by human.
AI has become really popular in recent years even though they have been in existence for a longer period. This begs the question – Should cybersecurity practitioners be afraid of the recent AI-related developments? Will they be replaced by artificial intelligence?
Along with all the crazy things ChatGPT can do, it seems to have sparked the conversation of how much AI can replace humans in the future.
First, it is important to point out that AI has been used in cybersecurity for the last decade. AI has helped in aspects like Automation of routine tasks, Enhanced threat detection, incident response and network security. Despite all of these, it can’t be said that the demand for cybersecurity professionals is decreasing.
We have been using AI to prioritize SIEM alerts, and yet SOCs are severely understaffed. We have been using AI to detect malware, and yet we cannot fill all the job vacancies in incident response and reverse engineering. We have been using AI to detect network anomalies, and yet we are craving more blue teamers. In fact, according to 2022 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the cybersecurity workforce gap is growing year over year, despite deploying AI for cybersecurity-related tasks.
Despite concerns that AI might replace human expertise in this field, it is becoming increasingly evident that as AI-based technologies mature, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will increase even further. Contrary to popular opinion, AI will be the primary factor in increasing the demand for cybersecurity professionals – this is because AI systems themselves are vulnerable to attack and must be protected, thereby creating a need for skilled professionals to design, implement, and maintain these systems.
Cybersecurity is not just about technology; it also requires human expertise in understanding the broader context of threats, legal and regulatory issues, and the psychology of hackers. Human judgment and decision-making will remain crucial in assessing and responding to complex threats. Also notable to point out is that the use of AI in cybersecurity raises ethical questions, such as bias in AI models, privacy concerns, and accountability for automated decisions. These issues require human oversight and regulation.
In summary, while AI is likely to change the landscape of cybersecurity, it’s unlikely to completely eliminate the need for human professionals. Instead, it will reshape job roles, automate certain tasks, and require professionals to adapt and work alongside AI systems. The evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the ethical considerations involved mean that human expertise will continue to be essential.
Source
HelpNet Security, (ISC)2, Medium