Role of Automation and AI in Incident Response and Crisis Management
Introduction
In the hyperconnected world, cyber incidents can no longer be treated as sporadic disruptions; such incidents have become an everyday occurrence. The attack landscape today is very consequential and shows significant multiplication in its frequency, with ransomware attacks incapacitating a health system, phishing attacks hitting a financial institution, or state-sponsored attacks on critical infrastructures. Towards counteracting such threats, traditional ways alone are not enough, they gravely rely on manual research and human intellect. Attackers exercise speed, scale, and stealth, and defenders are always four steps behind. With such a widening gap, it is deemed necessary to facilitate incident response and crisis management with the intervention of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) for faster detection, context-driven decision-making, and collaborative response beyond human capabilities.
Incident Response and Crisis Management
Incident response is the structured way in which organisations deal with responding to detecting, segregating, and recovering from security incidents. Crisis management takes this even further, dealing not only with the technical fallout of a breach but also its business, reputation, and regulatory implications. Echelon used to depend on manual teams of people sorting through logs, cross-correlating alarms, and generating responses, a paradigm effective for small numbers but quickly inadequate in today's threat climate. Today's opponents attack at machine speed, employing automation to launch attacks. Under such circumstances, responding with slow, manual methods means delay and draconian consequences. The AI and automation introduction is a paradigm change that allows organisations to equate the pace and precision with which attackers initiate attacks in responding to incidents.
How Automation Reinvents Response
Cybercrime automation liberates cybercrime analysts from boring and repetitive tasks that consume time. An analyst manually detects potential threats from a list of hundreds each day, while automated systems sift through noise and focus only on genuine threats. Malware can automatically cause infected computers to be disconnected from the network to avoid spreading or may automatically have its suspicious account permissions removed without human intervention. The security orchestration systems move further by introducing playbooks, predefined steps describing how incidents of a certain type (e.g., phishing attempts or malware infections) should be handled. This ensures fast containment while ensuring consistency and minimising human error amid the urgency of dealing with thousands of alerts.
Automation takes care of threat detection, prioritisation, and containment, allowing human analysts to refocus on more complex decision-making. Instead of drowning in the sea of trivial alerts, security teams can now devote their efforts to more strategic areas: threat hunting and longer-term resilience. Automation is a strong tool of defence, cutting response times down from hours to minutes.
The Intelligence Layer: AI in Action
If automation provides speed, then AI is what allows the brain to be intelligent and flexible. Working with old and fixed-rule systems, AI-enabled solutions learn from experiences, adapt to changes in threats, and discover hidden patterns of which human analysts themselves would be unaware. For instance, machine learning algorithms identify normal behaviour on a corporate network and raise alerts on any anomalies that could indicate an insider attack or an advanced persistent threat. Similarly, AI systems sift through global threat intelligence to predict likely attack vectors so organisations can have their vulnerabilities fixed before they are exploited.
AI also boosts forensic analysis. Instead of searching forever for clues, analysts let AI-driven systems trace back to the origin of an event, identify vulnerabilities exploited by attackers, and flag systems that are still under attack. During a crisis, AI is a decision support that predicts outcomes of different scenarios and recommends the best response. In response to a ransomware attack, for example, based on context, AI might advise separating a single network segment or restoring from backup or alerting law enforcement.
Real-World Applications and Case Studies
Already, this mitigation has been provided in the form of real-world applications of automation and AI. Consider, for example, IBM Watson for Cybersecurity, which has been applied in analysing unstructured threat intelligence and providing analysts with actionable results in minutes, rather than days. Like this, systems driven by AI in DARPA's Cyber Grand Challenge demonstrated the ability to automatically identify an instant vulnerability, patch it, and reveal the potential of a self-healing system. AI-powered fraud detection systems stop suspicious transactions in the middle of their execution and work all night to prevent losses. What is common in all these examples is that automation and AI lessen human effort, increase accuracy, and in the event of a cyberattack, buy precious time.
Challenges and Limitations
While promising, the technology is still not fully mature. The quality of an AI system is highly dependent on the training data provided; poor training can generate false positives that drown teams or worse false negatives that allow attackers to proceed unabated. Attackers have also started targeting AI itself by poisoning datasets or designing malware that does not get detected. Aside from risks that are more technical, the operational and financial costs involved in implementing advanced AI-based systems present expensive threats to any company. Organisations will have to make expenditures not only on technology but also for the training of staff to best utilise these tools. There are some ethical and privacy issues to consider as well because systems may be processing sensitive personal data, so global data protection laws such as the GDPR or India's DPDP Act could come into conflict.
Creating a Human-AI Collaboration
The future is not going to be one of substitution by machines but of creating human-AI synergy. Automation can do the drudgery, AI can provide smarts, and human professionals can use judgment, imagination, and ethical decisions. One would want to build AI-fuelled Security Operations Centres where technology and human experts work in tandem. Continuous training must be provided to AI models to reduce false alarms and make them most resistant against adversarial attacks. Regular conduct of crisis drills that combine AI tools and human teams can ensure preparedness for real-time events. Likewise, it is worth integrating ethical AI guidelines into security frameworks to ensure a stronger defence while respecting privacy and regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
Cyber-attacks are an eventuality in this modern time, but the actual impact need not be so harsh. The organisations can maintain the programmatic method of integrating automation and AI into incident response and crisis management so that the response against the very threat can be shifted from reactive firefighting to proactive resilience. Automation gives speed and efficiency while AI gives intelligence and foresight, hence putting the defenders on par and possibly exceeding the speed and sophistication of the attackers. But an utmost system without human inquisitiveness, ethical reasoning, and strategic foresight would remain imperfect. The best defence is in that human-machine relationship symbiotic system wherein automation and AI take care of how fast and how many cyber threats come in, whereas human intellect ensures that every response is aligned with larger organizational goals. This synergy is where cybersecurity resiliency will reside in the future-the defenders won't just be reacting to emergencies but will rather be driving the way.
References
- https://www.sisainfosec.com/blogs/incident-response-automation/
- https://stratpilot.ai/role-of-ai-in-crisis-management-and-its-critical-importance/
- https://www.juvare.com/integrating-artificial-intelligence-into-crisis-management/
- https://www.motadata.com/blog/role-of-automation-in-incident-management/
Related Blogs
Introduction
As our reliance on digital communication technologies increases, so do the risks associated with the same. The propagation of false information is a significant concern. According to the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risk Report, India ranks the highest for misinformation and disinformation risk. Indian Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital information age, addressing Indian Information Service officer trainees at the Vice President's Enclave on 18th June 2024. He has highlighted the issue of widespread misinformation and the need to regulate it. He stated “Information is power, information is too dangerous a power, information is that power which has to be regulated’’.
VC calls for regulation of the Information Landscape
The Vice President of India, Shri Dhankhar, has called on young Indian Information Service officers to act swiftly to neutralize misinformation on social media. He emphasized the importance of protecting individuals and institutions from fake narratives set afloat on social media. The VP called for the officers to act as information warriors, protecting the privacy and reputation of affected individuals or institutions.
The VP also highlighted India's vibrant democracy and the need for trust in the government. He called for the neutralization of motivated narratives set by global media and stressed the importance of not allowing others to calibrate them. He also emphasized the need to promote India's development narrative globally, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and diversity. He has expressed the need to regulate information, saying “Unregulated information & fake news can create a disaster of un-imaginable proportion.”
MeitY Advisory dated 1st March 2024
As regards to the issue of misinformation, the recently-issued advisory by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), specifies that all users should be well informed about the consequences of dealing with unlawful information on online platforms, including disabling access, removing non-compliant information, suspension or termination of access or usage rights of the user to their user account and imposing punishment under applicable law. The advisory entails that users are clearly informed, through terms of services and user agreements, about the consequences of engaging with unlawful information on the platform. Measures to combat deepfakes or misinformation have also been discussed in the advisory. The advisory necessitates identifying synthetically-created content across various formats, and advising platforms to employ labels, unique identifiers, or metadata to ensure transparency. Furthermore, the advisory mandates the disclosure of software details and tracing the first originator of such synthetically created content.
Conclusion
The battle against the growing incidences of misinformation and disinformation will not be easily won: developing a robust regulatory framework to counter online misinformation is essential. Alongside the regulatory framework, the government should encourage digital literacy campaigns, promote prebunking and debunking strategies and collaborate with relevant organisations such as cybersecurity experts, fact-checking entities, researchers, and policy analysts to combat misinformation on the Internet. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's statement scores the need to regulate information to prevent the spread of fake news or misinformation.
References:
- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2026304
- https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/03/04/meity_ai_advisory_1_march.pdf
Introduction
With the increasing frequency and severity of cyber-attacks on critical sectors, the government of India has formulated the National Cyber Security Reference Framework (NCRF) 2023, aimed to address cybersecurity concerns in India. In today’s digital age, the security of critical sectors is paramount due to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Cybersecurity measures are crucial for protecting essential sectors such as banking, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, strategic enterprises, and government enterprises. This is an essential step towards safeguarding these critical sectors and preparing for the challenges they face in the face of cyber threats. Protecting critical sectors from cyber threats is an urgent priority that requires the development of robust cybersecurity practices and the implementation of effective measures to mitigate risks.
Overview of the National Cyber Security Policy 2013
The National Cyber Security Policy of 2013 was the first attempt to address cybersecurity concerns in India. However, it had several drawbacks that limited its effectiveness in mitigating cyber risks in the contemporary digital age. The policy’s outdated guidelines, insufficient prevention and response measures, and lack of legal implications hindered its ability to protect critical sectors adequately. Moreover, the policy should have kept up with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and emerging technologies, leaving organisations vulnerable to new cyber-attacks. The 2013 policy failed to address the evolving nature of cyber threats, leaving organisations needing updated guidelines to combat new and sophisticated attacks.
As a result, an updated and more comprehensive policy, the National Cyber Security Reference Framework 2023, was necessary to address emerging challenges and provide strategic guidance for protecting critical sectors against cyber threats.
Highlights of NCRF 2023
Strategic Guidance: NCRF 2023 has been developed to provide organisations with strategic guidance to address their cybersecurity concerns in a structured manner.
Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR): The policy is based on a CBDR approach, recognising that different organisations have varying levels of cybersecurity needs and responsibilities.
Update of National Cyber Security Policy 2013: NCRF supersedes the National Cyber Security Policy 2013, which was due for an update to align with the evolving cyber threat landscape and emerging challenges.
Different from CERT-In Directives: NCRF is distinct from the directives issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) published in April 2023. It provides a comprehensive framework rather than specific directives for reporting cyber incidents.
Combination of robust strategies: National Cyber Security Reference Framework 2023 will provide strategic guidance, a revised structure, and a proactive approach to cybersecurity, enabling organisations to tackle the growing cyberattacks in India better and safeguard critical sectors. Rising incidents of malware attacks on critical sectors
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in malware attacks targeting critical sectors. These sectors, including banking, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, strategic enterprises, and government enterprises, play a crucial role in the functioning of economies and the well-being of societies. The escalating incidents of malware attacks on these sectors have raised concerns about the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.
Banking: The banking sector handles sensitive financial data and is a prime target for cybercriminals due to the potential for financial fraud and theft.
Energy: The energy sector, including power grids and oil companies, is critical for the functioning of economies, and disruptions can have severe consequences for national security and public safety.
Healthcare: The healthcare sector holds valuable patient data, and cyber-attacks can compromise patient privacy and disrupt healthcare services. Malware attacks on healthcare organisations can result in the theft of patient records, ransomware incidents that cripple healthcare operations, and compromise medical devices.
Telecommunications: Telecommunications infrastructure is vital for reliable communication, and attacks targeting this sector can lead to communication disruptions and compromise the privacy of transmitted data. The interconnectedness of telecommunications networks globally presents opportunities for cybercriminals to launch large-scale attacks, such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.
Transportation: Malware attacks on transportation systems can lead to service disruptions, compromise control systems, and pose safety risks.
Strategic Enterprises: Strategic enterprises, including defence, aerospace, intelligence agencies, and other sectors vital to national security, face sophisticated malware attacks with potentially severe consequences. Cyber adversaries target these enterprises to gain unauthorised access to classified information, compromise critical infrastructure, or sabotage national security operations.
Government Enterprises: Government organisations hold a vast amount of sensitive data and provide essential services to citizens, making them targets for data breaches and attacks that can disrupt critical services.
Conclusion
The sectors of banking, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, strategic enterprises, and government enterprises face unique vulnerabilities and challenges in the face of cyber-attacks. By recognising the significance of safeguarding these sectors, we can emphasise the need for proactive cybersecurity measures and collaborative efforts between public and private entities. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, sharing threat intelligence, and adopting best practices are essential to ensure our critical infrastructure’s resilience and security. Through these concerted efforts, we can create a safer digital environment for these sectors, protecting vital services and preserving the integrity of our economy and society. The rising incidents of malware attacks on critical sectors emphasise the urgent need for updated cybersecurity policy, enhanced cybersecurity measures, a collaboration between public and private entities, and the development of proactive defence strategies. National Cyber Security Reference Framework 2023 will help in addressing the evolving cyber threat landscape, protect critical sectors, fill the gaps in sector-specific best practices, promote collaboration, establish a regulatory framework, and address the challenges posed by emerging technologies. By providing strategic guidance, this framework will enhance organisations’ cybersecurity posture and ensure the protection of critical infrastructure in an increasingly digitised world.
Introduction
AI has revolutionized the way we look at growing technologies. AI is capable of performing complex tasks in fasten time. However, AI’s potential misuse led to increasing cyber crimes. As there is a rapid expansion of generative AI tools, it has also led to growing cyber scams such as Deepfake, voice cloning, cyberattacks targeting Critical Infrastructure and other organizations, and threats to data protection and privacy. AI is empowered by giving the realistic output of AI-created videos, images, and voices, which cyber attackers misuse to commit cyber crimes.
It is notable that the rapid advancement of technologies such as generative AI(Artificial Intelligence), deepfake, machine learning, etc. Such technologies offer convenience in performing several tasks and are capable of assisting individuals and business entities. On the other hand, since these technologies are easily accessible, cyber-criminals leverage AI tools and technologies for malicious activities or for committing various cyber frauds. By such misuse of advanced technologies such as AI, deepfake, and voice clones. Such new cyber threats have emerged.
What is Deepfake?
Deepfake is an AI-based technology. Deepfake is capable of creating realistic images or videos which in actuality are created by machine algorithms. Deepfake technology, since easily accessible, is misused by fraudsters to commit various cyber crimes or deceive and scam people through fake images or videos that look realistic. By using the Deepfake technology, cybercriminals manipulate audio and video content which looks very realistic but, in actuality, is fake. Voice cloning is also a part of deepfake. To create a voice clone of anyone's, audio can be deepfaked too, which closely resembles a real one but, in actuality, is a fake voice created through deepfake technology.
How Deepfake Can Harm Organizations or Enterprises?
- Reputation: Deepfakes have a negative impact on the reputation of the organization. It’s a reputation which is at stake. Fake representations or interactions between an employee and user, for example, misrepresenting CEO online, could damage an enterprise’s credibility, resulting in user and other financial losses. To be protective against such incidents of deepfake, organisations must thoroughly monitor online mentions and keep tabs on what is being said or posted about the brand. Deepfake-created content can also be misused to Impersonate leaders, financial officers and officials of the organisation.
- Misinformation: Deepfake can be used to spread misrepresentation or misinformation about the organisation by utilising the deepfake technology in the wrong way.
- Deepfake Fraud calls misrepresenting the organisation: There have been incidents where bad actors pretend to be from legitimate organisations and seek personal information. Such as helpline fraudsters, fake representatives from hotel booking departments, fake loan providers, etc., where bad actors use voice clones or deepfake-oriented fake video calls in order to propose themselves as belonging to legitimate organisations and, in actuality, they are deceiving people.
How can organizations combat AI-driven cybercrimes such as deepfake?
- Cybersecurity strategy: Organisations need to keep in place a wide range of cybersecurity strategies or use advanced tools to combat the evolving disinformation and misrepresentation caused by deepfake technology. Cybersecurity tools can be utilised to detect deepfakes.
- Social media monitoring: Social media monitoring can be done to detect any unusual activity. Organisations can select or use relevant tools and implement technologies to detect deepfakes and demonstrate media provenance. Real-time verification capabilities and procedures can be used. Reverse image searches, like TinEye, Google Image Search, and Bing Visual Search, can be extremely useful if the media is a composition of images.
- Employee Training: Employee education on cybersecurity will also play a significant role in strengthening the overall cybersecurity posture of the organisation.
Conclusion
There have been incidents where AI-driven tools or technology have been misused by cybercriminals or bad actors. Synthetic videos developed by AI are used by bad actors. Generative AI has gained significant popularity for many capabilities that produce synthetic media. There are concerns about synthetic media, such as its misuse of disinformation operations designed to influence the public and spread false information. In particular, synthetic media threats that organisations most often face include undermining the brand, financial gain, threat to the security or integrity of the organisation itself and Impersonation of the brand’s leaders for financial gain.
Synthetic media attempts to target organisations intending to defraud the organisation for financial gain. Example includes fake personal profiles on social networking sites and deceptive deepfake calls, etc. The organisation needs to have the proper cyber security strategy in place to combat such evolving threats. Monitoring and detection should be performed by the organisations and employee training on empowering on cyber security will also play a crucial role to effectively deal with evolving threats posed by the misuse of AI-driven technologies.
References:
- https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/12/2003298925/-1/-1/0/CSI-DEEPFAKE-THREATS.PDF
- https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/98419-how-to-mitigate-the-threat-of-deepfakes-to-enterprise-organizations
