The threat of cyber attacks and ransomware is growing alarmingly in today’s digital age. The relentless onslaught of malicious actors targeting individuals, businesses, and organizations is a grave concern. To counter this ever-evolving menace, a team of artificial intelligence (AI) experts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is working tirelessly to stay ahead of hackers.
The escalating cybersecurity challenge
With cyber attacks and ransomware incidents dominating the headlines, it’s clear that no one is immune to the threat. According to multiple security officials, a staggering 2,200 cyber attacks occur daily. These attacks disrupt daily operations and put valuable data at risk. Larry Bates, the Chief Information Officer at Pellissippi State Community College, experienced this firsthand when his institution fell victim to a cyber attack.
Bates recalls the harrowing morning when he received an unexpected wake-up call during the first morning of winter final exams. “Every one of our computers was locked down at the time,” he said. Half a million records were on the line, and a ransom note from the hackers added to his worries.
The role of AI in cyber defense
Enter the Center for Artificial Intelligence Security Research (CAISER), directed by Dr. Edmon Bogoli. Dr. Bogoli emphasizes that state-of-the-art cyber defense systems are increasingly reliant on AI. However, the very technology meant to protect us is now under threat. “If you defeat AI, you will get your malware into the systems,” Dr. Bogoli warns.
Hackers from foreign countries and lone individuals are now employing AI to generate sophisticated attacks. Dr. Amir Sadovnak acknowledges the challenges this poses, saying, “Now, the adversaries are starting to use AI to generate these attacks. So it’s hard to say how far ahead we are.”
Dr. Sadovnak further emphasizes that the race against cyber threats is ongoing and relentless. “The race will kind of keep going and keep going. So it’s like you can get one step ahead,” he adds. It’s a perpetual battle where the stakes are incredibly high, and the consequences of falling behind can be catastrophic.
One key distinction to note is that the AI systems developed by these scientists are purely preventative. They are not designed for offensive actions in the realm of cyber warfare. “Still sounds a little bit like science fiction. AI is developing at such a pace that we could get surprised very unpleasantly,” Dr. Bogoli cautions.
Fortunately, the forensics team at Pellissippi State managed to find no evidence that the hackers had accessed personal records. Larry Bates remarks, “Nothing they have of ours is of any value.” However, the aftermath was far from simple despite the hackers locking themselves out and not receiving any ransom. “We lost 308 and 3,200 workstations. And we built every one of those from scratch,” Bates laments.
AI in everyday life
As the world grapples with the implications of AI in cybersecurity, it’s worth noting that AI’s impact extends far beyond the realm of defending against cyber threats. AI influences various aspects of our daily lives, often behind the scenes.
From streamlining the recruitment process by screening resumes more efficiently to curating personalized song suggestions for your playlist, AI has quietly integrated itself into our routines. It’s even playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of nuclear bombs through advanced monitoring and detection systems.
