January-February . 2025 | @ green OPINION 23

compliance with stringent data privacy regulations . The result ? More robust security for sensitive medical data .

AI and cybersecurity - building the future of digital defense

At the heart of this transformation lies the potential to predict attacks before they occur , automate responses , and make security smarter , faster , and leaner .

AI ’ s role in cybersecurity is more than just a tech trend ; it ’ s the frontline defense in our digital world . Here ’ s how AI-driven innovations are reshaping the way we protect , predict , and respond : 1 . Smart Surveillance and Real-Time Monitoring : Gone are the days of manual threat analysis . AI systems , with machine learning at their core , can scan and analyse millions of data points across networks , flagging anomalies before they turn into actual threats . Imagine a security system that knows what “ normal ” network behaviour looks like - and raises an alert the moment something deviates . From unusual logins to suspicious data transfers , AI isn ’ t just identifying risks ; it ’ s pre-emptively striking them down .

2 . Predictive Analytics : Outsmarting Hackers : Today ’ s AI tools don ’ t just detect ; they predict . By analysing historical cyber-attack data , AI algorithms

Mohd Roydean Osman

The fusion of AI and cybersecurity isn ’ t just improving how we tackle cyber threats ; it ’ s reshaping the entire defense ecosystem .” identify patterns and forecast potential vulnerabilities , giving companies a head start against hackers . The power of predictive analytics means organisations can patch holes before cybercriminals even know they ’ re there , transforming security from a reactive approach to a proactive one .

3 . Automated Responses for Faster Counterattacks : Speed is everything when it comes to cyber defense . With AI at the helm , incident response times can drop from minutes to milliseconds . Picture this : an AI tool detects malware attempting to infiltrate a network and automatically shuts down access while alerting the security team . There is no need for human intervention - AI ’ s got this .

FROM BANKING TO HEALTH TO IOT

AI-driven cybersecurity solutions aren ’ t hypothetical ; they ’ re active on the front lines in some of the most high-stakes environments :

• Financial Sector : With the sheer volume of financial data at stake , the banking industry is employing AI for real-time fraud detection and advanced encryption , reducing the risk of massive breaches .

• Healthcare : As healthcare becomes increasingly digitised , AI is stepping in to secure patient records and ensure

• IoT and Edge Security : From smart homes to connected cars , AI-powered security systems are protecting IoT devices against hacking . These tools process data locally on devices rather than relying on central servers , reducing latency and bolstering security in real-time .

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

But it ’ s not all smooth sailing . AI in cybersecurity isn ’ t without risks . Hackers are learning how to reverse-engineer and manipulate AI algorithms . In “ adversarial attacks ,” attackers feed AI systems deceptive data , tricking them into labelling malicious actions as safe . This opens up a whole new threat vector : attacks on the AI itself .

Furthermore , while AI excels at automation and pattern recognition , it requires vast data sets to learn effectively . This necessity raises questions about privacy and ethical data usage . The power to predict and respond faster than humans is exciting , but we must handle it responsibly to avoid unintended consequences .

FEDERATED LEARNING AND ON-DEVICE AI

AI isn ’ t static , and neither is the cybersecurity landscape . Nextgen tools like federated learning - which trains AI models across decentralised devices - offer more secure , private learning . This approach not only enhances data security but also reduces the risk of centralised data breaches . And with edge AI bringing processing closer to IoT devices , we ’ re entering an era of hyper-responsive , on-device cybersecurity .

The fusion of AI and cybersecurity isn ’ t just improving how we tackle cyber threats ; it ’ s reshaping the entire defense ecosystem . It ’ s fast , adaptive , and intelligent - qualities that have become nonnegotiable in a world of increasing digital complexity . But as we embrace AI ’ s capabilities , we must also prepare for the new challenges it brings . – @ Digital

Mohd Roydean Osman is the Vice President of Innovation & Commercialisation at Taylor ’ s University ’ s Centre for Research & Enterprise : Knowledge Transfer & Commercialisation . He has over 25 years of experience in the field of Research and Development , Innovation Management , and as a Technology Strategist .