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Blue Skies

AI in the Workplace: Friend or Foe for Cybersecurity?

  • Ryan Fell
  • 5 days ago
  • 2 min read
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way businesses work. From automating repetitive tasks to powering chatbots and enhancing collaboration tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, AI is quickly becoming part of daily operations.


But when it comes to cybersecurity, the conversation gets a little more complicated. Is AI your business’s greatest new ally, or could it also be one of your biggest risks?


How AI Can Help Cybersecurity

AI isn’t just a buzzword—it can be a powerful security tool when used correctly. Some of the benefits include:


  • Threat Detection in Real Time - AI-powered systems can analyse millions of data points faster than any human. They spot unusual behaviour (like a suspicious login or strange network traffic) before it escalates into a full-blown breach.

  • Automated Incident Response - AI tools can quarantine suspicious emails, block malicious files, and flag risky activity instantly—reducing the window of time cybercriminals have to do damage.

  • Stronger Authentication - With features like facial recognition and behavioural analysis, AI is making identity and access management smarter and harder to bypass.

  • Predictive Security - AI doesn’t just react; it predicts. By learning from patterns, it can identify new, emerging threats before they’re widely known.


How AI Can Be a Cybersecurity Risk

Unfortunately, cybercriminals also have access to AI. And they’re using it in ways that make attacks more dangerous than ever:


  • AI-Powered Phishing - Forget those old, badly written phishing emails. With AI, hackers can craft messages that look 100% legitimate, even mimicking tone and style.

  • Deepfakes & Social Engineering - AI-generated audio and video can impersonate CEOs or colleagues to trick employees into sending money or sharing sensitive data.

  • Smarter Malware - AI allows attackers to create malware that can adapt and avoid detection. Traditional antivirus solutions may not be enough anymore.

  • Attack Automation - With AI, cybercriminals can scale up attacks—running thousands at once instead of targeting a few victims manually.


Striking the Balance

So, is AI a friend or foe? The answer is both. AI can be a game-changer for strengthening defenses, but only if businesses use it responsibly and stay one step ahead of bad actors.


Here are some best practices to stay safe:

  • Invest in AI-driven security solutions that monitor networks and endpoints in real time.

  • Provide cybersecurity awareness training so employees can spot AI-powered phishing attempts.

  • Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong identity management.

  • Work with a trusted IT security partner to evaluate new AI risks and opportunities.


Final Thoughts

AI isn’t going away. In fact, it’s going to become more integrated into how we work and secure our businesses. The key is to leverage AI as an ally, while also understanding how cybercriminals might use it against you.


With the right tools, training, and IT support, AI can be one of the strongest defences in your cybersecurity toolkit—not just another risk.


Want to learn how AI-powered security tools can protect your business? Let’s talk about building a smarter, safer IT strategy today.

 
 
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