Anti-virus software needs to get smarter, quickly. Traditional antivirus software can’t keep pace with today’s rising tide of threats.
From shady state actors to cybercriminals and hackers, the size, volume and complexity of threats facing organisations is getting worse. Much anti-virus (AV) technology simply isn’t smart enough to catch every threat. Even with the most vigilant security processes and staff, threats are missed, and can sneak in and cause significant damage.
AV technology is designed to be reactive in nature. Good at guarding the perimeter. However, the nature of modern threats means the perimeter isn’t the only area that needs guarding. Criminals know that. Tactics and technology have evolved to anticipate and evade traditional defence mechanism, which is why traditional AV simply isn’t up to the job anymore.
We think that machine learning is the future of anti-virus software. For the sake of anyone who uses a computer or smartphone, alongside business, governments and organisations, anti-virus systems need to get smarter and machine learning – some would call it Artificial Intelligence (AI) – is the way forward.
Why we need machine learning to defend us
Unlike traditional systems, machine learning algorithms can proactively detect and prevent against smart threats – many of which are now using their own machine learning algorithms to break through legacy systems.
We entrust so much of our lives and work to technology that we now need algorithms that constantly evolve and learn to protect us from malicious algorithms that want to steal our data. This is the nature of the threat environment companies now operate in.
Not only can machine learning-powered AV software defend the perimeter against approaching threats (many of whom are automated attacks); these new systems can patrol the interior. Algorithms learn how systems and people use your computers and networks to proactively take down any internal threats that have found a way in. With the right systems in place, you can prevent employees from stealing sensitive data, with trip lines and permission settings to block any internal malicious threats.
With smart algorithms, malware and other viruses, you won’t be able to trick your AV – a process known as obfuscation – which is something machine learning tools overcome using a clustering technique. The systems automatically read and group incoming messages and threats, learning to distinguish between human text, gibberish (messages that can contain threats) and malicious malware and other viruses.
Traditionally, protecting systems is a game of cat and mouse. Hunting and finding. Tracking down and preventing. Not unlike the role of a shopping centre security guard: providing a threat doesn’t get in, all of the shops are protected. In a world where the criminals are already inside, your organisation needs something smarter and more proactive to guard the perimeter and defeat viruses and hackers when they sneak inside. Machine learning is the way forward for antivirus, security and IT companies that want to protect their clients.
To find out more about the threats your organisations is exposed to, and how to protect your data and operations, join us for a free cyber security workshop. Details and how to register can be found here.
