AI in cybersecurity: A copilot, not a replacement

Survey data reveals AI's role as an assistive tool in cybersecurity, highlighting potential areas for future growth and collaboration.

Data from Hack The Box, a pioneering platform in cybersecurity training, highlights a shift in how AI is employed by security teams. No longer just powering security efforts, AI is now viewed as a copilot in addressing cybersecurity challenges.

The Global Cyber Skills Benchmark, a comprehensive Capture the Flag competition, collected performance data from over 4,000 global participants. This data revealed 44% of teams utilising AI, predominantly for syntax assistance and concept clarification during simulations. However, its role largely remains assistive, with fewer than 8% depending on AI to completely solve challenges.

There is still significant room for advancement as 66% of teams did not employ AI in any capacity. Critical areas like Secure Coding (18.7% solve rate), Web (21.1%), and Cloud (21.3%) challenges demonstrate key skills essential to modern infrastructure that warrant further development.

The most effective approach sees AI paired with human expertise. While AI offers speed and efficiency in executing time-consuming tasks, human insight brings context and situational awareness, enhancing the overall security process. Over-dependence on either can expose vulnerabilities and weaken security frameworks.

Haris Pylarinos, CEO and Founder of Hack The Box, highlights this interplay: "AI is undoubtedly helping teams move faster, but should be used to augment security efforts, rather than replace human-led knowledge. Security works best when AI is deployed in partnership with a highly trained security team, who are able to support decision-making with automated data and AI tools."

As teams progressively adopt AI for foundational support, continued monitoring of the symbiotic performance between AI and humans is essential to develop and evolve proactive security practices.

Ping Identity introduces an AI framework to secure digital interactions, enhancing trust and...
The UK's AI Growth Zone in North East England is set to transform the region into a leading AI hub...
CoreWeave expands AI data centres across the UK, enhancing innovation and sustainability while...
MongoDB AMP offers enterprises a cutting-edge solution to revitalise legacy applications with...
Nintex's new partner initiative aims to accelerate AI-powered process innovation, enhance...
Vickers Oils teams up with NobleAI to accelerate development cycles, reducing R&D costs and...
Wipro partners with CrowdStrike to launch Wipro CyberShieldSM MDR, a cutting-edge AI-driven...
A revolutionary step for AI accessibility in businesses, big and small, enhancing data interaction...