A new report from Bugcrowd shows that ethical hackers ' views on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are starting to change over time.
The company gathered information from 1,300 ethical hackers and security researchers and found that 71% believe that artificial intelligence is enhancing the value of hacking. Last year, just 21% of respondents held this view.
This difference highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in the hacking community, both as a useful tool and a potential risk.
See also: Myths and misunderstandings about ethical hacking
Generative AI tools are also frequently used by ethical hackers, with 77% of respondents reporting having adopted them.
However, despite the increase in the use of AI tools, most (ethical) hackers still believe that their abilities surpass AI. Only 22% believe that AI surpasses humans and just 30% believe that AI can replicate human creativity. Most believe that AI can simply enhance certain capabilities, but human ingenuity is more important for uncovering the most complex vulnerabilities.
Below, you can see some of the key findings of the Bugcrowd report:
- 93% of hackers agree that companies adopting artificial intelligence have created new avenues for attack
- 86% believe that artificial intelligence has radically changed hacking strategies
- 82% are concerned about the rapid evolution of AI in the threat and believe that systems security may not be sufficient for all of this
- 73% of ethical hackers remain confident in their ability to identify vulnerabilities in AI-powered applications
See also: How can ethical hacking prevent cybercrime?
“The use of AI is now commonplace in BEC, phishing, and social engineering attacks,” commented SlashNext CEO Patrick Harr.
Ethical hackers and AI
Ethical Hacking refers to the practice of breaking into a system for a good cause. Ethical Hackers, also known as “white hat hackers,” work to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious hackers .
Ethical Hackers use the same techniques and tools as malicious hackers, but they do so with the approval of the system owner and with the aim of improving security, rather than causing damage.
Ethical Hacking is an essential field in cybersecurity. Many companies hire Ethical Hackers to test the security of their systems and make sure they are resistant to attacks.
See also: Tips from an ethical hacker to protect yourself from hackers
As technology advances at a rapid pace, the adoption of AI tools by ethical hackers will become more common. Artificial intelligence can automate the process of identifying vulnerabilities in systems, making it possible to efficiently scan vast networks and identify dangerous areas. In addition, AI can alert ethical hackers to unusual patterns that may indicate a security breach.
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It is important for ethical hackers to stay informed and adapt their practices as needed to effectively respond to new threats.
Source: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
