AI-Driven Threat Detection: Here’s What You MUST Know
Everyone’s talking about Artificial Intelligence these days. And with security a big deal now, it’s no surprise the two are crossing paths—and giving cybersecurity providers plenty of room to make big promises like these:
"Our AI adapts to new threats, keeping your security up-to-date."
"AI monitors and detects threats in real-time to protect your network."
"This AI system responds instantly to threats, reducing breach impact."
Sounds amazing, but wait—hang tight on that high five! While there’s definitely some truth to these promises, many sellers can go too far and cross over to the land of the dragons, Bunyips, and all that.
It’s time to debunk these “myths” and get real about what AI-driven threat detection can actually do—and what it can’t.
What AI Really Is
Think of AI in cybersecurity as that sassy, ultra-sharp assistant that works very well even if it isn’t fed (and paid). It’s great at handling those boring, repetitive tasks, spotting patterns, and processing huge amounts of data faster than any human could. This includes:
Quick Data Crunching: AI is great at going through huge amounts of data quickly. It can spot anything weird or suspicious that might hint at a security problem.
Predicting Problems: By looking at trends and past activity, AI can guess what might go wrong in the future so steps can be taken to stop issues before they happen.
Smart ID Checks: Tools like facial recognition and biometrics use AI to automatically confirm who you are and block any unauthorised access.
Automating the Boring Stuff: AI can take over repetitive jobs like keeping an eye on network traffic or updating software.
Tracking Threats Smarter: AI pulls in and analyses information from all kinds of sources to give a clear picture of potential security threats.
Spotting Odd Behaviour: AI learns what’s “normal” behaviour for users and systems. If something unusual pops up, it can flag it right away.
When AI Saved the Day: The Story of the WannaCry Attack
Back in 2017, a nasty ransomware attack called WannaCry took advantage of a security flaw in Windows (thanks to EternalBlue, a tool originally built by the NSA) to spread like wildfire across global networks.
The attack locked people out of their own files and demanded payment in Bitcoin to unlock them. It affected over 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries, causing significant disruptions, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.
WannaCry didn’t just infect systems; it caused serious disruptions worldwide. It spread fast, encrypted files, and left victims facing a ransom note.
But here’s where things get interesting—AI stepped in to save the day.
What Went Right?
AI helped Bitdefender spot and block WannaCry before it could affect its customers as soon as it appeared. Here’s how they pulled it off in simple terms:
Real-Time Detection: AI kept a close eye on network traffic and system behaviour, constantly looking for anything strange. It quickly noticed WannaCry behaving suspiciously—like how it spread and encrypted files—and quickly stopped it.
Proactive Defence: Even though nobody knew about WannaCry at first (no signatures were available to identify it), Bitdefender’s AI had already been trained to recognise similar shady behaviour. This meant it could block the attack immediately, protecting users from the very beginning.
Thanks to advanced AI, WannaCry couldn’t go nearly as far as it might have otherwise. It’s a reminder that in today’s world, AI isn’t just a fancy tech term—it’s a game-changer that helps keep everyone safer.
What AI Isn’t
That said, AI isn’t some magical shield that makes your network invincible. Here’s what it can’t do (despite what some slick, fast-talking marketing gurus might suggest):
It’s not foolproof: Some hackers are crafty. They know how to create threats that look harmless enough to sneak past even the smartest AI system.
It’s not 100% autonomous: AI may detect a threat, but it often relies on humans to investigate and deal with complex problems. A false alarm here or there isn’t unusual.
It doesn’t understand threats: AI identifies patterns, not intentions. It flags what might be a problem, but it doesn’t know exactly what’s going on behind the scenes.
It always knows what it’s doing: AI is an evolving technology and needs time before it can adjust on its own. It doesn’t just know everything without getting input from us.
The Takeaway
Bottom line? AI isn’t perfect—it’s just a tool. A powerful one—no doubt, but not a substitute for layered defences, smart planning, and good old-fashioned human expertise.
When AI Failed to Deliver: The Equifax Data Breach
Back in 2017, Equifax—one of the biggest credit reporting agencies—suffered a massive data breach. Personal information from about 147 million people got exposed, including sensitive data like Social Security numbers, birth dates, and even driver’s license numbers.
This led to lawsuits, heavy fines, and a huge hit to consumer trust. But here’s where it gets interesting—Equifax had security measures in place, including AI-based systems. Yet, the breach still happened.
What Went Wrong?
This is one of those times when AI didn’t deliver. Here’s what went wrong:
Unpatched Vulnerability: The attackers found a flaw in the Apache Struts framework (a tool used in web apps). A fix for this vulnerability already existed, but Equifax didn’t apply it quickly enough. The cyber criminals took advantage and snuck in.
Weak Monitoring: AI systems were supposed to pick up on anything odd, like unusual movements within the network. But they missed the mark here. The attackers moved around undetected, stealing valuable data without setting off alarms.
Slow Response: When Equifax finally discovered the breach, their incident response was too slow to contain the damage. This delay gave the attackers plenty of time to finish their dirty work, making the impact much worse.
The Takeaway
AI can’t fix everything on its own—it still needs a solid backup plan. The Equifax breach is a perfect example of why security teams need to stay on top of things like regular updates, active monitoring, and quick responses.
Final Word
Technology is powerful, but it only works as well as the people working behind it.
To get the most from AI-driven threat detection, you need to treat it as part of a larger cybersecurity strategy. Remember that AI is a tool, and like any tool, can only work as well as how you use it. When used correctly, it can be a game-changer in staying one step ahead of threats and keeping your business safe and secure.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JARROD RAMSAY
Jarrod’s entrepreneurial journey began at 19, reselling telco services for brands like Telstra, Vodafone and Vocus. Realising he wanted more, he sold his business and dove into Managed IT Services, launched a telco division and built a public cloud platform.
These bold moves weren't just about competition; they're about creating better solutions for his clients.
Today, Jarrod thrives on collaborating with business owners, sharing ideas, and tackling challenges with creative strategies. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business owner, or an employee responsible for the ICT services at your business, feel free to reach out—he'd love to connect.