Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub CoPilot have immense potential to transform the business landscape, similar to the internet, smartphones, and cloud computing. However, the rapid progress of AI technology has also increased the risks of cybercrime. Therefore, it is essential for organizations to reassess their risk management strategies and develop defensive and offensive measures to prevent cyberattacks.

Here are three key strategies that IT and security executives should consider when evaluating their cybersecurity posture in the age of AI.

1. Fight AI with AI

AI has the potential to enhance cybersecurity by improving the skills of defense teams and augmenting their abilities, as well as assisting entry-level analysts with routine duties and increasing the coding and scripting capabilities of security engineers.

2. Safeguard Your Email

Most cyberattacks start with fraudulent emails that use phishing and social engineering tactics to harvest credentials and gain access to organizations. Advances in AI are making these attacks more sophisticated and integrating AI-powered chatbots into social engineering toolkits will make them even more widespread.

3. Defend the Data

Organizations should move beyond traditional perimeter defenses and focus on securing data and controlling access. This can be achieved through a zero-trust architecture with a SASE solution and phishing-resistant MFA.

Internet-facing applications and APIs are vulnerable to various attacks, including those carried out by bots or other AI-driven attacks. Proper protections like encryption, WAF, input validation, and rate-limiting can help mitigate these risks.

Companies must also ensure users do not misuse or leak company data when using AI tools.