AI vs. AI: how CIOs can leverage AI and zero-trust to enhance network security

In this fast-paced digital world, the modern CIO can’t afford to take their eye off the ball. Not only must they embrace new technologies like AI, but they must proactively anticipate and counteract the unprecedented increase in cyber threats – a challenge that AI itself is amplifying. With new AI-driven cyber threats emerging almost daily, leaders must continuously monitor and refine their network security strategies. For CIOs aiming to future-proof their businesses, leveraging cutting-edge security practices supported by a robust zero-trust framework that incorporates AI will become key.

According to McKinsey and Co., AI and generative AI (GenAI) are undoubtedly revolutionizing the business landscape. The firm marked 2023 as the year the world discovered GenAI, while 2024 has become the year businesses adopted it. Roughly 65 percent of managers in their recent survey said their enterprises are regularly using GenAI.

However, the adoption of AI in security has been slower. A Gartner report revealed that 34 percent of enterprises have adopted or are deploying AI application security tools. The effective combination of AI and zero-trust is quickly becoming recognized as the gold standard of network security. When it comes to zero-trust, it is defined as a security paradigm built on the motto originated by Forrester Research “never trust, always verify,” and it, too is quickly gaining traction on the boardroom agenda. By 2026, Gartner predicts that 10 percent of large enterprises will have a measurable zero-trust program.

Today, businesses are experiencing a heightened sense of urgency to successfully manage their vast data and address regulatory changes, requiring action and the rapid adoption of a zero-trust framework supported by AI. Without this, businesses risk losing their competitive advantage and could invite chaos from heightened AI-driven breaches and attacks.

AI - a help and a hindrance

AI has vast cybersecurity potential, but it is a serious threat when applied by malicious actors. Organizations are more vulnerable than ever, and according to a Microsoft-supported study, 87 percent of UK organizations are susceptible to AI-powered cyberattacks. IT professionals are worried, as highlighted in a Statista survey revealing roughly 70 percent believe AI-prompted attacks would soon be “inevitable”. 

However, despite the heightened level of cyber threats, a McKinsey and Co. study revealed only around 20 percent of companies have adopted risk policies for GenAI.

As the cyber landscape continues to shift, CIOs often don’t know where to start or have not quantified the benefits these innovative strategies can offer when added to their security infrastructure. These concerns raise the crucial question – What are the advantages of AI and zero-trust when applied to effectively enhance an enterprise’s network security?

Zero-trust benefits and integrating AI for a supercharged security strategy

Zero-trust and AI have emerged as a powerful duo in defending against cyberattacks, providing enhanced security that neither can accomplish alone. Zero-trust specifically, is quickly becoming a must-have in any cyber framework, and for good reason. The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s indicates zero-trust promotes benefits such as:

1. Productivity

2. Enhanced end-user experiences

3. Reduced IT costs

4. Flexible access

5. Bolstered security

A word of caution – zero-trust is nuanced, and it is not a product that inserts seamlessly into existing network infrastructure. Enterprises need to clearly understand who needs access to what applications in their organization, and then write the restrictive policies required that only allow these necessary traffic flows. As a result, it can be more challenging to adopt, but when combined with AI for policy analysis and anomaly detection, it adds another highly evolved layer of protection. Ernst & Young (EY) assert that “the use of AI in cybersecurity isn’t hype” and that AI can automatically detect various types of attacks quickly with roughly 92 percent accuracy.

How does AI complement a zero-trust approach?

In a nutshell, zero-trust elevates visibility over the entire organization, while AI reduces human error and enables automation of risk detection. Additionally, here are five top benefits of a zero-trust approach that are motivating CIOs to move towards an AI-powered strategy for zero-trust

The top 5 benefits of a combined AI and zero-trust cybersecurity approach

leverage AI and zero trust in network security

1. Enhanced threat detection

AI-driven systems, or “AI-powered threat hunting,” quickly evaluate large amounts of data in real time to spot potential threats, anomalies, and vulnerabilities, acting as another layer of defense.

2. Dynamic access control

AI continuously evaluates user behavior and context to implement adaptive access controls based on real-time risk assessmenvts, not static rules.

3. Reduced attack surface

The attack surface of businesses is also reduced, and by minimizing vulnerabilities, there are fewer entry points for cyber threats. The user experience is also improved.

4. Automation of security protocols

EY asserts it is vital to apply AI-enabled automation to replace manual processes, such as updating permissions, monitoring system integrity, and writing complex security rules.

5. Continuous monitoring and response

CIOs can use AI to support monitoring and rapid responses across multiple functions to potential security incidents. 

Each of these benefits is critical to integrating a comprehensive AI and zero-trust framework. In addition, here’s our advice for harnessing these innovative solutions to ensure success.

Advice for a winning AI and zero-trust strategy

There are several benefits of implementing an AI-powered zero-trust cybersecurity framework. It not only delivers quick wins but also ensures robust network security that is capable of withstanding the anticipated new wave of GenAI attacks. Combining zero-trust and AI can enhance your security posture. However, enterprises must adopt a shared responsibility approach to security, extending from the office to our relationships with third-party providers, regulators, peer organizations, and so on.

To ensure you manage your zero-trust implementation effectively, we recommend that you first make zero-trust your foundation to simplify access. Following this, it is critical to integrate the new methodology with existing security practices and to iron out any bugs. Lastly, a trusted partner, like Coevolve, can help you minimize disruptions during this process. Lean on our expertise to ensure a successful integration, resulting in a future-proof network security posture. To learn more about Coevolve’s streamlined zero-trust strategies, please visit our website or read our latest whitepaper that delves into the critical nature of zero-trust.