GFI Software: artificial intelligence is driving the current development of IT security

Surveyed IT resellers see AI more as a threat than as a tool for improving IT security 

PRAGUE, June 15, 2023 – GFI Software, a provider of security solutions for enterprise networks, stated that according to its survey conducted among partners in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, artificial intelligence (AI) is now a key driver of cybersecurity development. This applies in both positive and negative contexts: while 32% of partners see AI as a help for cybersecurity, 41% perceive it rather as a threat. The survey was conducted at a ZEBRA SYSTEMS partner meeting in June this year.

The use of artificial intelligence is currently a major topic across all technology sectors, and the cybersecurity segment is no exception. However, there is no clear consensus among IT administrators and IT security providers on its benefits – some see AI as an opportunity to improve their solutions and services, while others view it as a tool for hackers to launch more effective attacks on their customers' infrastructure. Cases have already been recorded, for example, where AI capabilities were used to create phishing campaigns.

The most interesting findings include:

• Of the trends that will have the greatest impact on cybersecurity in the future, 71% of respondents selected artificial intelligence, 45% the implementation of NIS-2, 39% the provision of SaaS, 14% BYOD, and 8% IoT
• 8% of IT resellers perceive AI as unequivocally positive, 24% as rather positive, 25% neutrally, 39% rather as a threat, and 2% as an unequivocal danger.
• 67% of respondents see AI as a potential tool for more effective attacks on software vulnerabilities, 51% as a tool for more efficient password cracking, 47% for better phishing campaigns, 25% for stealing sensitive data, and 16% for attacks on backups or backup systems.

“At GFI Software, we are committed to gradually incorporating elements of artificial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of our products,” said Jozef Kačala, Vice President of Global Sales Engineering at GFI Software. “We recognize concerns that AI can be easily misused by cyber threat actors, but we are convinced that with the help of AI, we can significantly increase the level of IT security for our customers.”

Even today, for example, GFI customers can use Bayesian analysis within the GFI MailEssentials product, i.e., adaptive anti-spam techniques based on artificial intelligence algorithms that help resist sophisticated phishing attacks. Or the RADAR feature in the new GFI AppManager product uses machine learning techniques and helps proactively monitor vulnerabilities and other threats.