Newsroom

16 September 2024

AI and Cybersecurity: Leal Communications & Informatics’ Approach

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the integration of cutting-edge technologies like Generative AI is transforming industries worldwide. However, alongside the opportunities for innovation, this progress introduces new and complex challenges in the realm of cybersecurity. 

As a bespoke IT solutions provider for the last 47 years, Leal Communications & Informatics (LCI) is at the forefront of addressing these challenges, enabling operational excellence through the deployment of customized technological solutions. Backed by a team of 100 seasoned professionals, LCI’s expertise spans multiple sectors, including public services, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services & Insurance) & hospitality.  

Generative AI models, such as OpenAI's GPT-4, can create human-like text, design complex systems, and even simulate user behaviours. These capabilities, while beneficial in many contexts, can also be weaponized by cybercriminals. For instance, Generative AI can be used to craft highly convincing phishing emails, develop sophisticated malware, or create deepfake identities that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate users. 

This new frontier in AI demands an equally advanced approach to cybersecurity, especially in managing how identities are authenticated and how privileged access is granted within an organization. 

 

The role of Identity Access Management (IAM)   

Identity Access Management (IAM) is a framework of policies and technologies that ensures the right individuals access the right resources at the right times for the right reasons. As Generative AI evolves, the traditional methods of identity verification—such as passwords and simple multi-factor authentication (MFA)—are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Cybercriminals can use AI to bypass these defences, making it imperative for organizations to adopt more sophisticated IAM solutions. IAM also consists of a governance part. Identity Governance encompasses policies, processes, and technology to ensure compliance, enhance security, and streamline management of identities, accounts, roles, and entitlements for access control and auditing. 

To counteract the risks posed by AI-driven attacks, organizations are now integrating biometric authentication, behavioural analytics, and AI-driven anomaly detection into their IAM systems. These technologies not only enhance the accuracy of identity verification but also continuously monitor user behaviour to detect any deviations from established norms, signalling potential security threats.  

 

Strengthening Privilege Access Management (PAM) with AI  

Privilege Access Management (PAM) is another critical component of cybersecurity that focuses on controlling and monitoring access to an organization's most sensitive data and systems. With the advent of Generative AI, the stakes for PAM have never been higher. Unauthorized access to privileged accounts can lead to catastrophic breaches, as these accounts hold the keys to an organization's most valuable assets. 

Generative AI can be both a threat and an asset in the realm of PAM. On one hand, AI can be exploited to predict and manipulate privileged account behaviours, potentially leading to undetected breaches. On the other hand, AI can also be leveraged to enhance PAM by automating the detection of unusual access patterns, enforcing stricter access controls, and providing real-time risk assessments. 

For instance, AI-driven PAM solutions can automatically adjust access permissions based on contextual factors such as the user's location, the device being used, and the sensitivity of the data being accessed. This dynamic approach to privilege management ensures that access is granted only (Just in time access) when necessary and is immediately revoked when anomalies are detected. 

  

The future of Cybersecurity in the age of Generative AI 

As Generative AI continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly become a double-edged sword in the cybersecurity landscape. Organizations must remain vigilant, continuously updating their IAM and PAM strategies to mitigate the risks posed by AI-driven threats. The integration of AI into these security frameworks is not just a trend—it is a necessity. 

By embracing advanced IAM and PAM solutions that leverage AI and machine learning, organizations can stay ahead of cybercriminals, ensuring that their most critical assets are protected. The future of cybersecurity lies in the seamless integration of AI-driven technologies that can predict, detect, and respond to threats in real-time, making the digital world a safer place for businesses and individuals alike. 

While Generative AI presents new challenges in cybersecurity, it also offers innovative solutions. By strengthening IAM and PAM with AI-powered tools, organizations can build a robust defence against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. As we move forward, the key to cybersecurity will be the proactive adoption of AI-driven technologies that not only safeguard our digital identities but also secure the privileged access that powers our most vital systems and today we need to work and integrate AI powered SOC to continuously monitor our IT infrastructure and provide adequate detection and remediation capabilities. 

 

Our Approach at Leal Communications and Informatics 

For the last 3 years we have been working closely with the major brands in the IAM space and have been actively approaching the market to create awareness regarding the Identity threat landscape. We offer demos and proof and concepts to our customers, and we have recently seen a remarkably high adoption from the BFSI sector following the cybersecurity guideline from the Central Bank. We strongly believe in a multivendor approach when it comes to security, since having all eggs in the same basket is certainly not the right thing to do. Our conclusion is that 100% security is a dream, and we cannot sit down by assuming we have ticked all the boxes. We should always be on the lookout through active threat hunting and threat intelligence. 

Ultimately, even with state-of-the-art security solutions, the human factor remains the weakest link. We strongly recommend ongoing awareness programs and regular training for all users within any organization. 

 

To learn more contact Corporate Sales team at Leal Communication & Informatics. Phone: +230 2072200 Email: corpsales@lci.mu