The truth is that new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tend to increase the efficiency and precision of tasks. With humans able to accomplish more work in less time, they are free to explore other domains. This, in turn, leads to a branching of cybersecurity skills in different areas. The cybersecurity field faces the same growing skills gap. Trained human operators are needed for the most difficult tasks, and the advance of AI and machine learning will lead to increased effectiveness.

In the short term, AI cannot truly fill the cybersecurity skills gap. But in the medium to long term, he does think it can help leading organizations fill open positions. Enterprises must develop the right security strategies now to gain the eventual AI and machine learning benefits down the road. the trouble with our short-term situation is that we already have a cybersecurity skills emergency in many businesses and governments, and AI and machine learning are not making a big enough dent. Part of the reason is that the market adoption of these solutions is not yet integrated into the people, process and technology of most public- and private-sector organizations.

Over time, and as more machine learning solutions are released and mature, AI will provide a bigger bang. Nevertheless, Lohrmann thinks we must remember that the well-funded bad guys will also have AI. We will never replace the need for top talent, so Al is just one piece of the puzzle. These technologies have potential when it comes to that first cut at a problem — reducing 500,000 alerts to 500, for example. But at the end of the day, Carbone said, we need a human in the loop for that last step. Humans are the ultimate exception handlers, and while better AI can help reduce the number of exceptions, those that remain will still require the attention of a specialist.

The advance of AI and machine learning will continue to improve cycles in the cybersecurity domain. However, we should not forget the critical training key personnel must continue to pursue to effectively leverage these capabilities to their greatest extent. It is essential for future cybersecurity workers to quickly learn these crucial skills for the industry’s future jobs. If you like to read more, like and share this article and follow my Facebook page. Enjoy!