The main role of the security industry has always been to provide protection against harm or loss for people, physical infrastructures, equipment and inventory. However evolving technology has now moved security into the realm of cybersecurity. Security protection has gone beyond the physical world to cyberspace- where the innovations of AI in cybersecurity are keeping our systems, networks, and programs safe.
In our increasingly digital world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are used in key ways as protection against those who:
Aim to access, change or destroy sensitive information. These cyber crimes include any financial crimes, cyber porn, sales of illegal articles, online gambling, intellectual property crimes, email spoofing, cyber defamation/stalking on the computer.
Extract money from users via ransomware. As an example, prominent ransomware group LockBit has received more than 120 million in ransom payments from 2,000 organizations. They “phish” (trick) someone in the organization to download malware into their system, then blackmail them until the company pays.
Interrupt normal business operations. These “cyber wars” disrupt the flow of information, often through viruses that eat data or freeze up systems. Cyber wars are often used to coerce or threaten government or societies for political, religious or ideological reasons.
Artificial Intelligence In Security And Surveillance
Artificial intelligence is the capacity of computers and other machines to exhibit or simulate intelligent behavior- the security industry applies this AI in many key ways. Some of the benefits of AI and ML are to:
- Improve threat detection– This is in real-time, using video feeds, face-recognition, flagging unusual activities, and more. Pro-active AI threat detection allows for trained human security personnel to skillfully respond to any security breaches or emergency situations.
- Reduce human error– A prime example is robotic surgery performing complex procedures.
- Detect fraud– Machine learning algorithms flag suspicious behavior or transactions in real time- e.g. credit card fraud patterns that trigger alerts to the cardholder and bank.
- Enhance decision-making– AI can process huge amounts of data, searching for patterns/trends.
- Overcome human risks– e.g. defusing bombs, exploring underwater or in space.
- Use Authentication for Access Security– AI secures areas using biometric authentication like fingerprint, facial, eye/retina, vein or voice recognition.
- Automate tedious repetitive jobs– AI can do assembly, painting or welding in production line work.
- Invent new technologies– e.g. self-driving cars, vehicles to increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities, delivery drones.
- Provide availability 24/7– Unlike humans, AI works endlessly with no breaks or distractions.
- Make unbiased decisions– AI is practical and rational, not driven by emotions. For instance, AI-powered recruitment systems can screen job applicants on skills and qualifications rather than demographics, in this way promoting fairness.
AI Security Opportunities
AI algorithms are vital in cybersecurity to predict and prevent intrusions into computer systems. But AI-enabled security systems play transformative roles in many other ways beyond the cyber world. When utilized for intelligent video analytics, for example, use of AI technology means there are no more missed incidents and slow response times (which lead to higher liability and insurance costs for clients). Intelligent video analytics detect anomalies, erratic behaviors/transactions, or thefts that human security guards may miss. Here are some areas where AI-enabled systems are revolutionizing security:
Law Enforcement
Accurate identification of persons (AI facial recognition) can authorize legitimate individuals for security clearance, search millions of photos for an unknown suspect in a crime scene photo, or trace a suspect’s activities and locations. During post-incident investigations, AI algorithms paired with CCTV video can determine vehicle models, increase license plate clarity, reconstruct faces in 3D, and sharpen videos.
Road Traffic Safety
Fixed algorithm analytics are types of video content analysis (VCA) that detect undesired behavior. For traffic applications, VCA will pinpoint loitering or moving in the wrong direction, riding without a helmet, jumping a signal, driving without a seatbelt, using a cell phone while driving, or speeding excessively. Also a now familiar use of AI systems is the recorded occupancy in parking garages and buildings.
Retail Surveillance
AI systems monitor retail establishments round the clock, with no fatigue or slow response, plus they will alarm in real-time. Unlike traditional CCTV cameras that reactively respond to thefts as/after they occur, AI enhanced video surveillance cameras can pro-actively analyze suspicious behaviors. Spotting behaviors that could result in shoplifting gives time for human intervention. Additionally, AI systems in store kiosks and chatbots provide instant information and customer service for retail shoppers (rather than only flagging theft).
Transportation Terminals
AI-enabled technologies, similar to those used in retail, can detect abandoned luggage, intruders, and weapons on individuals. Then they proactively alert the authorities in the respective railway stations, airports, and metros. Possible emergency situations can be averted.
AI Security Challenges
As wonderful as AI technology uses can be, many see AI security challenges due to its invasive presence in every aspect of modern daily life. Many people point out that there can be:
- Inherent Bias in People Tracking
Algorithms are only as ethical as the people that program them, so bias and discrimination can manifest in systems that target people based on ethnicity, gender, or physical appearance. As a result, there must be testing and auditing of people tracking systems before using them, as well as regular review of any unintended consequences afterwards. Data and documentation will aid toward responsible AI business practices.
- Data Privacy and Security Issues
People have legitimate concerns about the massive amounts of personal data that are collected. Security risks, data leaks, and cybersecurity hacks are possible in AI-based systems. So security and protocols are key to maintain the privacy of individuals. For example, there are already many protections in place around the use of traditional security cameras. AI-based systems need to have increased regulations and protections established as well.
- Ethical Concerns
AI has the potential for great misuse, with issues such as autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. Ethical boundaries require governance frameworks and guidelines, global norms/ regulations, along with dialogue among technologists, policymakers and the public.
- Limited Knowledge and Exponential Growth Problems
The possibilities of AI are expanding everyday, and the repercussions of these new AI applications are not yet fully felt. For example, people fear job displacement through automation, loss of emotional intelligence and common sense reasoning through AI use, and technological dependence that reduces human skills and capacities, encouraging laziness. Additionally many AI algorithms are deployed faster than ethical guidelines can keep up, and are often owned exclusively by developers, which may limit their transparency and public scrutiny.
- High Costs
Time, resources and lots of money are needed to create intelligent machines. The latest hardware and software must be constantly updated, and that is costly as well. There are high environmental impact factors also, since data centers require continuous cooling and maintenance, and they also consume high amounts of energy. Sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for AI technologies are needed to reduce costs and environmental impacts.
In summary artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) enhance cybersecurity measures and protect against evolving threats in many innovative ways. However as with all recent technology, AI must be carefully handled in ethical ways that are open and fair, and that protect individual rights.
