Anand Oswal, SVP of Palo Alto Networks, noted that advances in artificial intelligence are increasing the potential for cybersecurity threats. He added that cyber threats have evolved over the past few years and real-time response has become the need of the hour.
In an interview with Business Today, Oswal said: “AI has lowered the barrier to entry for hackers because they can use open source tools rather than AI alone.” With AI, you can create variations and more. ”
Evolution of cyber threats
The senior vice president of the cybersecurity company noted that cyberattacks have become more sophisticated in recent years, and real-time solutions have become the need of the hour.
He said, “Threats are becoming more and more sophisticated, and threats are becoming more and more evasive. What worked three years ago won’t work today.”
Multiple studies have pointed to the need to improve India’s cybersecurity infrastructure as newer and more sophisticated cyber threats emerge. In the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review Cyber Defense Index (CDI), India ranks 17th out of her 20th place.
Oswal added that the new range of cybersecurity threats requires real-time responses. He explained that many of his cybersecurity solutions to date have primarily relied on signature-based detection systems that identify known threats based on specific patterns or signatures. As new threats are discovered, security teams create signatures and update databases to protect against them. However, the effectiveness of this approach has decreased over time as cybercriminals’ tactics have evolved, including zero-day vulnerabilities and rapid attack vectors.
“Years ago, what we did to protect against threats was actually use a signature or database-centric approach, meaning that when we found a particular threat, we would use the signature for that threat. , and patched their network security products, and now no one else was infected with the threat. This process took 24 to 48 hours. Recognize the threat and then launch the attack “This doesn’t work anymore because even if there’s a one-second difference in time, the attacker will optimize that opportunity. So you have to actually provide real-time or near-real-time security,” he explained. Did.
India under cyber attack
India’s public and private sectors are exposed to cyber threats. According to Meity data, hacking incidents occurred on 36 government websites in the first half of 2023, and more than 4.29 million cybersecurity incidents related to financial institutions were recorded.
Weekly cyberattacks in India’s private sector rose by 18% in 2023, compared to a 7% rise globally, according to data from cybersecurity firm Checkpoint Research.
Countering cyber threats
The SVP stressed that the most immediate solutions to these threats are upskilling and strategic investment.
“There’s a need for investment. There’s also a lot of need for upskilling and security and cybersecurity awareness programs, because despite all the automation, all the talk about AI and algorithms and so on. Regardless, cybersecurity is still a hugely lacking skill.” Oswal explained.