More often than not, security teams find themselves reacting to incidents rather than preventing them. In India, 64% of cybersecurity teams are so busy remediating cyberattacks that they don’t have time or resources to focus efforts on strengthening defenses to deflect and protect against them. This is not an isolated issue but a global one, with the World Economic Forum estimating that the cybersecurity industry is short of four million workers worldwide.
This shortage leaves security professionals feeling as though they’re perpetually one step behind attackers. But could the rise of generative AI (GenAI) finally change this dynamic?
A study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Tenable revealed that 73% of organizations in India plan to incorporate GenAI into their security strategies over the next 12 months. However, enthusiasm for the technology is tempered by a sobering statistic—just 8% of those organizations feel confident in their ability to effectively implement it.
Why Is GenAI Still Met with Hesitation?
Despite the incredible potential of GenAI, its adoption in cybersecurity has been slow in India. Less than half the organisations in India have started using GenAI for cyber defence. This hesitation is largely due to a lack of technology maturity and fears that GenAI could introduce more security risks than it mitigates. Alarmingly, 91% of security leaders believe the technology introduces moderate to high-risk concerns, and 47% are still grappling with how to assess and mitigate those risks.
CEOs share similar doubts. Many feel that their teams lack clarity on how to use GenAI effectively. A recent IBM study noted that only 42% of CEOs in India believe they have solid governance structures in place for GenAI. Many organizations still lack any formal AI governance, further complicating its adoption. With GenAI in its infancy, organizations are rightfully cautious, weighing the unknowns about security, regulatory compliance, and the true business value of the technology.
A 2024 study by KPMG sheds additional light on the barriers to adoption. Unclear regulations, a shortage of talent, and internal cultural resistance are all significant factors slowing GenAI’s implementation. In a business world that prizes efficiency and reliability, organizations can’t afford to misstep—selecting the wrong tools or applications could lead to wasted investments, customer alienation, and brand damage.
The Real Opportunity: GenAI in Cybersecurity
Yet, for all the apprehension, the potential of GenAI to transform cybersecurity is profound. Applied correctly, GenAI could redefine how organizations detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats. It can help fill gaps caused by the global skills shortage, acting as a force multiplier for security teams stretched thin by constant threats. More importantly, it offers a new approach to cybersecurity: shifting from reactive to preventive strategies.
Today’s security teams are so burdened by responding to incidents that efficiency has become a serious barrier to preventive security. This is where GenAI can step in. By processing vast amounts of data quickly and presenting actionable insights in real time, GenAI doesn’t just help detect threats; it enables teams to act before threats cause damage.
Consider exposure management platforms enhanced by GenAI. These systems can provide contextual information on vulnerabilities, suggest mitigation steps, and serve as an AI assistant to security teams, helping them prioritize efforts to stay ahead of attackers. This type of efficiency is vital in environments where every minute spent is critical.
Democratizing Expertise with GenAI
Another game-changing benefit of GenAI is its ability to democratize cybersecurity expertise. In many organizations, the experience levels of analysts vary widely, with some coming from adjacent security industries and others with specialized domain knowledge. With GenAI embedded in cybersecurity operations, even less experienced team members can confidently navigate the complex threat landscape. AI-powered assistants can take on intricate tasks, from attack path analysis to risk assessment, allowing teams to operate more effectively, regardless of individual expertise.
This democratization is crucial in today’s cybersecurity environment, where prioritizing which threats to address first is half the battle. GenAI can quickly sift through the noise, identifying critical risks and guiding teams through step-by-step mitigation strategies, making even the most complex processes more manageable.
Beyond the Hype: The Practical Promise of GenAI
Yes, GenAI comes with its share of hype, but its potential to reshape cybersecurity is real and increasingly difficult to ignore. We are only scratching the surface of what this technology can achieve, and the future possibilities are immense. AI assistants are already helping organizations address some of the most pressing challenges, from implementing preventive security measures to compensating for the global skills gap.
Of course, there will be challenges along the way. But in an industry where the stakes are high and attackers are constantly evolving, the benefits of GenAI far outweigh the risks. It’s no longer a question of if GenAI will revolutionize cybersecurity—it’s a matter of when. For those willing to embrace it, the payoff could be substantial.