The world of cybersecurity is in constant flux, a dynamic battleground where defenders and attackers constantly try to outmaneuver each other. But what does the future hold in this ever-shifting landscape? Zayo’s Chief Security Officer, Shawn Edwards, shares his insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
From the rise of sophisticated supply chain attacks to the promise of zero trust architectures, organizations face a complex web of threats and must adapt quickly to stay ahead of the curve.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
Edwards sees AI as a “race condition” between attackers and defenders—a dynamic interplay between those using AI for good and those exploiting it for malicious purposes. “I know it gets a lot of bad press because adversaries are using it too,” he says.
Despite this, Edwards remains optimistic about the future of cybersecurity, particularly the potential of AI for defense. “I’m a big proponent of the usage of AI,” he says. “AI could be used to detect threats, manage threats, mitigate threats, and automate response to these threats.”
The Rise of Supply Chain Attacks
Edwards also points to another growing threat: supply chain vulnerabilities. “One of the biggest threats for businesses is supply chain security, where you rely upon a third party to help you provide services or capabilities to your employees or your customers,” he says. This interconnectedness creates a complex web of dependencies, where a weakness in one link can compromise the entire chain.
For example, a company may use different networking equipment from third parties. “You rely on them to make sure that those products are secure. If they’re not, they put your company at risk, and hence your customers. So that dependency creates risk in and of itself.”
Next-Gen Defenses
Just as AI is helping cyber criminals better target their victims, AI can also help organizations better detect attacks, fraudulent behavior, and other potential cyber breaches—part of a layered, defense-in-depth approach to security.
Another approach to defense is zero trust. While it’s a bit of a buzzword, Edwards states the concept behind it is solid. “The concept of zero trust is that you validate everything the entire way through. Is this the right user? Are they coming from the right location? Are they accessing the right resources? These types of activities in a zero trust model are valuable,” he says. “It’s really the implementation of zero trust that provides the challenge.”
Hear Sean Edwards talk about the future of Cyber Threats.
Looking Ahead
As AI continues to evolve, the “race condition” between attackers and defenders will intensify. Organizations will need to stay vigilant, adopt a proactive approach to security, and leverage new technologies to stay ahead of the curve.
“By embracing new technologies and strategies, and by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration,” Edwards adds, “we can build a more secure digital future.”