How AI and large language models can help cybersecurity firms improve their services

Just about every cybersecurity provider has an artificial intelligence-related story to tell these days.

There are many security products and services that now come with built-in AI features, offering better ways to seek out and neutralize malware. Or they have new “co-pilot” add-ons that allow human operators to work hand-in-mouse with an AI-driven assistant to screen security alerts. Or they use AI add-on tools for better phishing detection, new threat discovery or troubleshooting of network and application problems or misconfigurations.

SiliconANGLE analyzed both the good and bad sides of AI-based cybersecurity. Now, let’s examine some of the products that offer the most promise.

The spread of AI-infused security cuts across startup and established companies alike. For example, Palo Alto Networks Inc. is developing its own large language model or LLM that will use AI to improve its operational efficiencies. SentinelOne Inc. will have an LLM so that security analysts can query potential threats with a simple search box without the need to learn complex jargon or syntax. Cloudflare Inc. is using machine learning to help more quickly find and neutralize botnets. And both Blink Ops and Trend Micro Inc. will integrate AI into their tools with copilot-like features.

That’s not all. Darktrace Holdings Ltd. has already used AI to identify several cyberattacks, such as one targeting a power grid that its AI found within a few hours. BreachLock Inc.’s penetration testing as a service has been tapping AI to improve its efficiency in handling security audits and analysis services. Cybersixgill has its IQ service that amplifies its dark web scanning tools, as SiliconANGLE wrote about recently.

Then there’s Sentra Inc., which has a browser extension that will anonymize chatbot queries and block inadvertent private data transmissions. Guardz has enhanced its phishing protection with AI. Earlier this year, HiddenLayer Inc. won the RSA Conference Innovation Sandbox for best new product, a tool that can help defend against adversarial AI-based attacks. And those are by no means exhaustive.

Even companies not selling security services want to call attention to their AI…