A RECENT Sophos survey of 400 IT leaders highlights concerns about the potential risks and challenges associated with generative AI (GenAI) in cybersecurity. Despite 65% of organizations adopting GenAI capabilities, 89% of IT leaders worry that flaws in these tools could negatively impact their cybersecurity strategies.
Chester Wisniewski, director and global field CTO at Sophos, emphasizes the importance of a “trust but verify” approach to GenAI tools, stating, “We have not actually taught the machines to think; we have simply provided them the context to speed up the processing of large quantities of data.”
The survey also reveals concerns about over-reliance on AI and the potential for reduced accountability in cybersecurity. Additionally, 84% of respondents express concern about pressure to reduce cybersecurity staff due to unrealistic expectations about AI replacing human operators.
Interestingly, different-sized organizations have varying priorities for GenAI. Larger organizations focus on improved protection, while smaller companies prioritize reducing burnout among security professionals.
While recognizing the potential benefits of GenAI in cybersecurity, the survey also highlights the challenges. 75% of IT leaders find it difficult to quantify the costs associated with GenAI, and 80% believe it will increase the cost of cybersecurity tools. However, 87% remain optimistic that the savings from GenAI will ultimately offset these costs.
