Most recently, we explored the remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on our world. As we continue this series, we’ll delve into the various facets of AI, including emerging technologies, to pressing ethical considerations, and pertinent security challenges.
This next post is an insightful conversation with Alex Smith, the VP of Product Security and Analytics at Intermedia. Learn about Alex’s perspective on AI’s role in enhancing security and how these advancements are helping customers navigate security and privacy concerns.
Thank you so much for interviewing with us for today. To start off, what are some AI best practices when it comes to security?
AS: The privacy concerns associated with AI are significant. Generative AI, which creates new content by drawing from a vast array of existing sources can have major implications for data privacy. AI, in general, can really be used as both a weapon or a defense making it crucial for companies to establish clear policies on how to interact with generative AI systems. This helps ensure that private and sensitive information doesn’t end up being incorporated into large language models.
Given the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats, how does Intermedia show its commitment to AI and cybersecurity?
AS: We have always prioritized security, investing in solutions that protect everything from our data centers to the applications and users. We implement a range of tools designed to build walls against attackers and threats. Since attackers always go for the users, we focus heavily into building features and campaigns that empower users to protect themselves. For example, we set sensitive defaults for our security services, ensuring that even if someone enables a service without security, it remains secure by default. We also try to build a lot of flexibility into our products when we integrate third party security solutions so that we’re always ready to pivot.
Having one’s privacy threatened is always a concern. How has AI changed cybersecurity when it comes to the UC space?
AS: Let’s use emails as an example because lots of threats come in through inbound emails. Our technologies used to rely on recognizing previous threats we’ve encountered to detect similar threats in the future. However, attackers now use AI and other technologies to make every threat appear new and unique. This is where AI technologies like Natural Language Understanding (NLU) can come into play. NLU can analyze an email and understand its intent, determining if the email is trying to hack or manipulate you. This is a capability we didn’t have a few years ago, but now it’s essentiaul for us at Intermedia. It has been incredibly useful in cybersecurity and combatting threats.
That’s definitely a necessary tool when it comes to security. What can organizations do to protect their businesses as they start to implement more AI driven technologies?
AS: As businesses begin exploring f AI solutions, it’s crucial to remember that your interactions with these technologies contribute to training the machine learning models. Educating yourself on what it means to use these solutions is essential. Privacy will always be a concern, so protecting yourself by educating your employees and putting in measures and tools that are safe for your company will provide a better and safer experience for your users and customers.
In honor of World AI Day, what advice would you give to customers or consumers of AI?
AS: Embracing the power of AI, specifically generative AI, is going to be critical to any business. However, approaching it with a heavy level of skepticism is very important. Generative AI won’t do your whole job for you but it can handle a significant portion of it. From a security standpoint, it’s wise to always assume the worst and trust but verify. Generative AI can produce inaccuracies, so having a cautious mindset and constantly verifying outputs is extremely prudent.
Thank you for joining our discussion on the impact of AI in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. It’s crucial to recognize the profound influence AI has on companies, societies, and our daily lives.
These enlightening conversations with industry leaders reminds us of the boundless potential and ethical responsibilities in AI. Stay tuned for more insights and updates as we continue to explore the horizons of AI together.
Elissa Luce