Four Steps to Strengthen Cyber Security for the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Integrating Identity Security, AI Governance, and Risk‑Based Remediation for Stronger Protection
In this Blog
According to a 2023 survey among global business and cyber leaders, 65% believed cyber security was the sector expected to be the most affected by generative artificial intelligence (AI).
In 2026, there is no doubt that artificial intelligence is transforming cyber security on both sides of the fence. Attackers are using it to move faster and phish smarter. Defenders are using it to detect earlier and respond sharper.
1. AI Is Supercharging Attackers So Strengthen Your Human Firewall
Gone are the days when poor grammar and bad formatting gave phishing emails away. Generative AI now enables cyber criminals to craft messages that look and feel authentic.
The key is to prioritise people in your cyber security strategy. Use cyber security awareness training to equip your teams to recognise subtle warning signs, question any suspicious consent prompts, and always verify unexpected or unusual requests using a different communication channel.
By fostering a security-aware culture that blends human vigilance with technology, organisations can better defend against sophisticated AI-driven threats and reduce the risk of successful attacks.
Tip: Enforce phishing-resistant MFA and update awareness training that includes deepfake demos and modern phishing examples, not just “bad link” spotting.
Generative AI in Cyber Security Explained
Generative AI is changing the game. Is it helping defenders more than attackers? Dive into the risks, opportunities, and real-world impact of AI on cyber security.
Dave Mareels, Senior Director of Product Management at Sophos, joins the podcast to explore how generative AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape.
2. AI and Human Defenders Working Together
Cyber attacks are multistage and often start with a valid login. AI isn’t just a threat, it’s part of the solution. The strongest defences combine AI with human expertise. Together, they can spot weak signals in context, investigate quickly, and contain incidents before they escalate.
Identity Threat Detection and Response is critical. Attackers increasingly target identity systems, so monitoring and responding to identity-based threats should be a priority.
Tip: Assess out-of-hours coverage and escalation paths. If you can’t investigate and respond in minutes, not hours, consider 24/7 managed detection and response for faster risk reduction.
3. If Your Data Isn’t Ready for AI, You’re Not Ready for AI
To effectively harness the benefits of AI while minimising risk, organisations must take a structured approach to AI governance. This starts with curbing the use of Shadow AI, which is unapproved applications or tools that staff may adopt without IT oversight, as these can introduce significant security and compliance concerns.
Organisations should formalise the use of Sanctioned AI by clearly defining approved tools and implementing robust controls to ensure safe, compliant deployment.
The end goal should be to progress towards Adopted AI , where artificial intelligence is fully integrated into business processes, thoroughly auditable, and aligned with organisational objectives.
Most importantly, sensitive data must be classified accurately and steps taken to prevent oversharing. By doing so, organisations can reduce the risk of AI-powered assistants inadvertently exposing confidential information to unauthorised individuals, strengthening both security and trust within the workplace.
Tip: Conduct a free data assessment to ensure your organisation knows what data exists, where it lives, who has access, and how it’s classified. This single step reduces the risk of sensitive information leaking into AI models, prevents inadvertent oversharing, and establishes a strong foundation for safe, compliant AI adoption. Think of it as switching on the lights before inviting AI into the room.
AI's Role in Data Protection Explained
4. Responsive Remediation is Key
Identifying vulnerabilities is only the start; the real challenge is fixing them swiftly. While prompt patching is essential, not all issues can be resolved immediately. This means that mitigating controls, such as tightening permissions or disabling unused services, are vital.
Virtual patching can protect where permanent fixes are unavailable. The next step is AI-driven remediation, which automates prioritisation and coordinates fixes based on business risk, enabling faster, more consistent vulnerability closure and freeing teams to focus on strategic security.
This shifts organisations from reactive to intelligent, risk-based remediation, reducing attacker opportunities and strengthening resilience.
Tip: Rank vulnerabilities by business impact, exploit likelihood, and data sensitivity, then move fast on the top tier. Where patches aren’t immediately available, apply mitigating controls and virtual patching to reduce exposure.
Final Thoughts: Getting Ahead of AI Threats
AI is changing the game, and the steps outlined above make it clear that success comes from strengthening your people, enhancing detection and response with AI, putting firm governance around data and tools, and moving toward smarter, risk‑based remediation. When these elements work together, organisations build real resilience and stay ahead of fast‑moving threats.
The most effective way to continue that journey is to understand your current level of risk. HackRisk reports give you a clear, practical view of your exposure so you can prioritise what matters most and take action with confidence.
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