Expleo, UK, 12 September 2024. Expleo, the global engineering, technology and consulting company is calling on businesses to prepare for the transformational impact of AI on cybersecurity by investing in AI-powered protection to meet the threat of increasingly sophisticated AI-led cyber-attacks.
In a new guide, ‘AI in cybersecurity: between shield and shadow’, Expleo looks at the effect that rapidly emerging AI-based technologies will have on several sectors and how each can leverage AI for enhanced cybersecurity protection while remaining vigilant against its potential misuse.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP of Aero, Space & Defence and MD of Expleo, UK said: “AI is the breakthrough technology of our times. It promises smarter aerospace logistics, enhanced automotive data security and real-time threat detection in banking and finance – it has the power to significantly enhance existing cybersecurity programmes.
“However, it can also be used to attack and disrupt, with bad actors already manipulating AI technology to target and exploit vulnerabilities in existing cybersecurity defences.
“To prepare, leaders should face into the benefits and the risks this new technology poses and understand at a deep level how this technology might be put to work to enhance their cybersecurity operations, defusing would-be attacks before they become a costly problem.”
download
For more in-depth analysis download the full guide ‘AI in cybersecurity: between shield and shadow’
AI-powered cybersecurity
AI is showing promise across multiple sectors, powering up new ways of working while ensuring integrity, by keeping a human-in-the-loop. In its report, Expleo explores the benefits and watch-outs for aerospace, automotive, BFSI, defence and E&U:
Aerospace: AI as the first officer of cybersecurity
Adopting digital systems into modern aircraft makes them an airborne data centre vulnerable to attack. By building AI-enhanced cybersecurity into Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) components and Zero-Trust architecture, companies can shield themselves against sophisticated attacks.
Graham Younger, VP of Aerospace at Expleo, commented: “Only by implementing a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity coupled with rigorous testing can aerospace pave the way for the safe and secure integration of AI technologies that will propel the sector into a new golden age of flight characterised by innovation, greater sustainability and efficiency.”
Automotive: technology takes the driver’s seat
To harness the power of AI for good in automotive, the future may lie in open-source style collaboration, enabling businesses to stay on top of threat intelligence. Similarly, automakers need to ensure security-by-design with suppliers and implement continuous monitoring of threats.
Steve McEvoy, VP of Automotive, Expleo, said: “It’s through collaboration that we can seize on this moment of opportunity for automotive to lead the way in setting standards and co-creating solutions to collectively defuse the common challenges that AI presents automakers and tier one suppliers with.”
BFSI: a foundation built on innovation
While some in this sector remain sceptical of AI’s ability to add value – citing cost, a lack of transparency and an inability to work in real-time – three AI models are proving their worth as a trinity of tech in BFSI fraud protection: machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning.
Angus Panton, Head of Banking and Finance Service, UK at Expleo, said:“There’s an innate awareness that adopting too fast, risks houses built on sand with models and tools that can be exploited. That’s where implementing a secure architecture across the organisation with the appropriate testing programmes and quality assurance come in.”
Defence: when cybersecurity is non-negotiable
The defence sector is focused on AI-based solutions that are designed, deployed, and operated with a human-in-the-loop – to ensure that ethical and legal standards are rigorously upheld.
Jeff Hoyle, EVP Aero, Space and Defence, Expleo:“Security and safety are non-negotiable in defence, and while it is widely recognised that AI can play a significant role in assurance and compliance with cybersecurity standards to protect defence programmes from bad actors, we must keep human oversight at the heart of decision-making to ensure continued safe, ethical and accurate use.”
Energy and utilities: deploying cybersecurity at scale
In energy and utilities, businesses should focus on implementing AI-driven security-at-scale strategies, protecting all levels of critical infrastructure.
Stephen Magennis, Global Head of E&U at Expleo, said: “The ever-expanding attack exposure in energy and utilities demands a smarter defence. AI offers a powerful solution, one that can analyse vast amounts of data in real-time, identify anomalies and potential cyber threats much faster than traditional methods. This allows providers to proactively address risks and safeguard critical infrastructure, ensuring a more secure and resilient future for our industry.”
For more in-depth analysis download the full guide ‘AI in cybersecurity: between shield and shadow’
Media contact
gwen.allen@expleogroup.com
