The AI Guardian: A New Era of Cyber Defense

The AI Guardian: A New Era of Cyber Defense

By Todd Lukens, Chief Information Security Officer

We live in a digital world where cyber-attacks are a constant threat. With Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI or AI) becoming increasingly more sophisticated, bad actors have more tools at their disposal, making it faster and easier to execute an attack.

Because of this, Nationwide is working with our partners to leverage Gen AI to combat cyber threats - utilizing its capabilities in detection, containment, and recovery to safeguard against malicious attacks.

The Forefront of Cyber Defense: AI-Driven Detection
The battle against cyber threats begins with robust protection and detection capabilities. While traditional prevention methods are essential, they are not infallible. Gen AI steps in to fill the gaps - offering a significant advantage in identifying evolving threats; and in some situations, automatically containing the threats before they cause damage.

Research done by IBM revealed that organizations integrating AI into their security systems can outpace those without it, detecting and containing breaches a remarkable 108 days sooner. This advanced technology offers a significant time advantage in the critical fight against cyber threats.

At Nationwide, we've found that AI's ability to swiftly process large amounts of data ensures rapid threat identification, which is crucial in our risk-laden cyber environment. Through AI-based threat hunting, incident summaries are generated instantly, and responses are automated, allowing security agents to discern complex data patterns and potential threats with unparalleled efficiency.

Containment: The AI Shield in Action
When a cyber-attack strikes, immediate containment is imperative. AI systems are at the forefront, analyzing data in real-time to pinpoint patterns and anomalies indicative of cyber threats. The moment malicious activity is detected, it initiates targeted containment measures, often before human analysts are alerted. The financial benefits are tangible; organizations that integrate AI and automation extensively report significant cost savings in data breach incidents. On average, AI reduces the time to identify and contain breaches by over three months, mitigating financial losses.

AI-Powered Recovery:Restoring Security Post-Breach Post-incident
AI's role is critical in response and recovery efforts. AI-powered systems rapidly assess the incident's scope, impact, and root causes, offering vital insights to accelerate investigation and remediation. During an attack, AI's precision and speed minimize potential damage, executing automatic risk mitigation actions. In the aftermath, AI aids in recovery by identifying compromised systems, recommending corrective measures, and reinforcing systems against future threats.

Nationwide, a company dedicated to protection, places the utmost importance on the security of customer data. Whether in our hands or those of our partners, customer data protection remains a top priority.