Munich | In view of growing geopolitical challenges, important elections around the world and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, IT security has become also a relevant topic at the Munich Security Conference. In particular, the new role of AI in both offense and defense creates new threats as well as opportunities.
Earlier this week, Google released a new report detailing how Iranian-backed groups are using information warfare to influence public perception of the Israel-Hamas war. Since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, Russia has also been relying on information warfare against Ukraine on a large scale. Threat actors also continue to exploit vulnerabilities in legacy systems to compromise the security of governments and private companies.
Microsoft also uses several methods to protect itself from cyber threats. This includes:
- AI-powered threat detection to detect changes in the way resources or traffic are being used on the network
- Behavioral analytics to detect risky logins and anomalous behavior
- Machine learning (ML) models to identify risky logins and malware
- Zero Trust, a security architecture in which every access request must be fully authenticated, authorized and encrypted
- Verify device health before a device can connect to the corporate network
Additionally, generative AI has the potential to help all defenders protect their organizations at machine speed. From improved threat detection to optimized incident response, AI’s capabilities are transforming cybersecurity. LLM models, when used wisely, can analyze massive amounts of data to uncover patterns and trends in cyber threats and provide context to threat intelligence. They help with technical tasks such as reverse engineering and malware analysis, providing a new layer of defense against cyberattacks.
AI should make IT more secure
It is no coincidence that Google is presenting studies and experts at the Munich Security Conference. While the world is fascinated by the potential of generative AI like Chat GPT – and the EU is working on a regulatory approach (EU AI Act) – Big Tech is relying on AI to defend against cyberattacks. With new LLM models, AI can lead to a turning point for digital security.
Google hopes AI will finally shift the balance of cybersecurity from attacker to cyberdefender. It is no longer just attackers like the troll farms in Russia that should benefit from AI, but also security institutions and the private sector in the democratic world should be able to proactively defend themselves.
Therefore, Google is presenting a new AI cyber defense initiative to the politicians and military attending the high profile Munich conference, including a proposed political and technological agenda.
Digital Signage is also affected
Almost no one in the digital signage industry speaks about it publicly, but cyberattacks also affect integrators, network operators and end customers. AI-supported cyberdefense is intended to support companies and employees in operating secure IT and avoiding social engineering attacks.
The threat of cyber attacks will increase rapidly in the coming years and end customers will demand better protection from their service providers. ISE 27001 certification is only the basis; many other measures are necessary. The digital signage industry will also have to deal with IT security much more intensively and bring expertise into its own organization.
