ALEX WOODWARD , SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – CONSULTING DELIVERY , CYBER SECURITY , CGI UK & AUSTRALIA

nnovation is crucial for organisations ,

The challenge presents itself when keeping pace with these technologies , and particularly evolving cyberattack techniques . Digitalisation is an exponential curve , and as organisations integrate more sophisticated tools into their IT backbone , the need for protection grows accordingly . the benefits of improved technology and remain a step ahead of threat actors .

IoT and connectivity : The double-edged sword

Overlooking outdated and unoptimised legacy infrastructure when considering organisational cybersecurity can create significant vulnerabilities . As we saw from the Digitalisation in the NHS report , out-of-date IT systems can pose a severe risk to operational viability . It ’ s challenging for cybersecurity functions to fully monitor a degraded attack surface , which could put confidential data at risk .

Being mindful of what digital assets they have and utilising the right solutions can plug the gaps that traditional vulnerabilities present .

AI and IoT devices , whilst instrumental in accelerating growth , need to be considered in the context of the wider security landscape . Increased visibility over sources of information , connected infrastructure and the availability of similar tools to threat actors are potential weaknesses critical IT systems face . However , used in the right way , these innovations can be used to improve detection and response initiatives , and bolsters protection .

The shape of the AI revolution

AI has had a pivotal role in disrupting the cybersecurity landscape . It offers an effective way to streamline , automate and iterate on security improvements over time . From providing full , efficient , analysis of a threat surface , to even deciphering complex code and correlating data , it enables effective response pathways and improved organisational resilience .

However , AI is also available to threat actors and intelligent technologies can be manipulated to attack critical vulnerabilities . Evolving attack techniques like prompt injection , deepfake technology and code generation all present effective routes for malicious parties to bypass security infrastructure . It ’ s therefore all the more important for security teams to take advantage of

Digital Transformation can improve the overall security ecosystem thorough support pathways and improved connectivity . However , the deployment of tools and capabilities , such as IoT devices , can lead to wider compromises if implemented incorrectly .

Organisations that hastily rush to implement as many solutions as possible may silo core business functions . This means that , in the event of a breach , threat actors could move laterally across business units undetected , thereby crippling operations . Improving the resources available to security teams and having a robust SecOps approach in place is crucial to detecting and mitigating threats .

Having an eagle eye on your digitalised functions

As organisations lean towards more digitalised functions , they need to be conscious about having robust security controls in place . Being mindful of what digital assets they have and utilising the right solutions can plug the gaps that traditional vulnerabilities present . In addition to this , security teams need to be enabled to undertake comprehensive mapping of their digital assets and understand the benefits that innovative technologies provide in protecting them .

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