Over the past decade, cybersecurity has improved significantly. We are better able than ever to protect our networks, systems, and computers from cyberthreats. However, malicious actors are persistent and their attempts to breach security are becoming more sophisticated, making it more difficult for us to keep up. Fortunately, the future of cloud security is no longer human protecting against machine—it’s machine protecting against machine.
Current State of Cloud Security
Cybersecurity as it stands today is largely automated. However, it is still highly dependent on pre-cloud security solutions. Operating systems have built-in defenses, such as firewalls and antimalware programs, and they will perform automatic updates when new vulnerabilities are identified by the operating system (OS) vendor. Yet, this method of security is designed to provide protection for on-premise systems and devices, something that is quickly becoming insufficient as more and more of an organization’s operations move onto the cloud and are accessible via mobile devices.
Another aspect of today’s cloud security is that we are primarily focused on the human part of the security equation, using identity and access management (IAM) to confirm a person’s identity and grant them approved access to organizational resources. However, there are far more machines than humans involved in a single online transaction. This not only includes on-premise computers, but also mobile devices, software programs, applications, APIs, and more.
Machines Protecting Themselves
Considering that the boundaries of an organization’s cyber-presence has moved into the cloud, every machine, every mobile device, every software program and application is now on the frontline of cybersecurity. For this reason, organizations must adopt a machine-centric approach to cybersecurity in order to ensure they have adequate protection.
The reality is that machines have to be able to identify other machines, including devices, bots, applications, and programs and they have to be able to identify cyberthreats. This includes identifying everything from security misconfigurations in a device to identifying malware attacks and other security breaches as they happen.
The Role of AI
AI is a game-changer when it comes to machines identifying and defending against machines. For example, malicious bots can be discovered by AI-driven bots that are designed to move through an organization’s network. Machine learning can be used to detect anomalies in network data that may represent a breach of security.
Of course, the malicious actors out there, the hackers and malware, can also use AI to try to outwit an organization’s defenses. This means that an organization must have the very best AI to defend against the most sophisticated attacks.
Humans are Still Part of the Equation
Humans will still have a role to play in the future of cloud security, working alongside machines to provide the best possible protection against cyberthreats. Machines will be able to identify threats, but humans will be needed to review and respond to those threats and adjust machine parameters to maintain the highest level of security.
Connect with Platinum Technologies today to find out how we can help you improve your cloud security by making the best use of your machines to detect and mitigate threats.
