As cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) themselves to carry out attacks or create phishing emails, it is crucial that security teams learn to fight with the same weapons. AI helps these teams analyze larger amounts of data, detect threats faster, and even predict potential future risks. This AI-driven automation allows analysts to focus on more complex threats. Additionally, automation ensures consistent execution of response protocols, significantly reducing human errors and strengthening the overall security posture.

Cyber ​​threats are becoming increasingly complex, putting security teams under pressure. Accordingly Fortinet Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report By 2023, 53% of companies will be victims of cyberattacks costing more than a million dollars. These numbers underscore the need for effective security solutions that are both flexible and future-proof.

Security problems are often exacerbated by the use of disparate, non-integrated security solutions. While each individual solution can add value, this piecemeal approach can unnecessarily increase the workload on security teams that are already facing a shortage of qualified personnel. The answer is an integrated, AI-powered Security Operations Center (SOC) strategy that enables a centralized and coordinated approach to threats.

Added value of generative AI

Integrating AI, particularly generative AI (GenAI), can provide tremendous value for security teams. GenAI can identify threat patterns faster and reduce the burden on security teams by automating routine analysis and reporting. This technology represents a welcome expansion of SOC analysts’ detection capabilities and helps them respond quickly to new threats. By using GenAI, companies can not only respond faster, but also develop a proactive security strategy that focuses on prediction and prevention.

AI plays a key role within SecOps at multiple levels, from detection to response to risk assessment. Fortinet therefore self-developed FortiRecon, a SaaS-based service that is part of the Fortinet SecOps platform and uses AI-driven technologies to continuously scan internal networks for vulnerabilities. This allows analysts to focus on the most critical threats. External threats such as data breaches and stolen credentials on the dark web are also actively monitored, allowing companies to respond quickly and prevent further damage.

Solid base

In the first phase of a SecOps strategy, AI creates a solid foundation, of which central log data management and automated threat detection are an integral part. AI-driven analytics provide security teams with real-time data streams, helping them detect anomalies and identify hidden patterns that might be missed during manual reviews. This accelerates the detection of threats and ensures that they can be identified and isolated more quickly.

Continuous improvement

Another added value of AI within the SecOps strategy is its adaptability. AI algorithms can self-improve based on feedback, meaning they become more accurate and effective over time. This self-learning ability is critical in an environment where attackers are constantly adapting their techniques to avoid detection. By leveraging complementary machine learning (ML) models that analyze patterns and anticipate new variations of known attacks, organizations can stay one step ahead of potential threats and respond to threats that were previously invisible.

As SecOps strategy advances, AI can support increasingly sophisticated tasks.

Patrick Commers, cyber security evangelist Fortinet Belux

As SecOps strategy advances, AI can support increasingly sophisticated tasks. For organizations with extensive security requirements, AI can contribute to advanced analytics such as: B. User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA). This helps identify suspicious actions by users and entities. AI and ML-powered UEBA makes it possible to detect subtle patterns that may indicate internal threats such as compromised accounts or unauthorized activity. By using AI for behavioral analysis, security teams can more quickly identify which activities are risky and stop potentially harmful actions before they escalate.

Automated actions

In the most advanced SecOps phase, AI can tackle complex incidents fully automatically. With Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR), organizations can create complex workflows that automatically respond to complex attacks. When a threat is detected, a preset series of actions automatically take effect to neutralize it. The power of AI within SOAR lies in its ability to make decisions and take actions based on real-time data and preset policies. This high level of automation ensures rapid and consistent response to threats, regardless of the scale or complexity of the attack.

More than a tool

A strong cybersecurity strategy requires more than just technology. Through a flexible, phased approach that spans from basic security to advanced AI integration, organizations can build a resilient SOC ready for future threats. It is no longer enough to be reactive; Organizations must anticipate threats and leverage the latest AI and automation technologies to stay ahead. Integrating AI into security operations ensures that companies can not only respond faster and more efficiently, but also proactively defend against threats. This makes AI more than a tool; It will become the foundation of a new, intelligent security strategy capable of addressing the growing complexity and speed of cyber threats.

This is a post by Patrick Commers, cyber security evangelist at Fortinet Belux. Click here for more information about the company.