Applications of Artificial Intelligence to Network Security

Authors: Alberto Perez Veiga

License: CC BY 4.0

Results of the summarizing process for the arXiv paper: 1803.09992v1

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Attacks on networks are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, with professional attackers seeking to infiltrate corporate networks for profit. Traditional approaches to network security are reaching their limits, and there is a growing recognition of the need for a smarter approach to threat detection. This paper explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in network security and offers a high-level overview of state-of-the-art AI techniques. One example mentioned is the use of self-organizing maps (SOMs), which are created through automated analysis rather than using parsers or taxonomies. The paper also discusses how data science can be combined with unsupervised machine learning (ML) techniques, such as hidden Markov models (HMMs), to achieve more accurate results. HMMs have traditionally been applied in fields like speech recognition and biological analysis but can also be used in an unsupervised ML environment where there is no clear sample data. The practical case study of Darktrace showcases how companies are leveraging AI and ML to enhance their security solutions. Darktrace has developed an algorithm called "Enterprise Immune System" that emulates the human body's defense mechanism against infections by differentiating between "good" and "bad" cells. Darktrace's system can detect and defend against malicious activity without relying on rules or known datasets. Darktrace's success stories include detecting new strains of complex ransomware attacks in real-time. In one instance, an employee accessed their personal email from the corporate network, allowing malware to enter and encrypt files on SMB shares; however, Darktrace's engine flagged this behavior as malicious within seconds even when the security team was unavailable. Overall, this paper highlights the need for advanced techniques in network security due to evolving attack methods and demonstrates how AI can be applied effectively through examples like SOMs, HMMs, and Darktrace's innovative approach. The future of AI in network security looks promising as organizations continue to invest in these technologies to combat emerging threats.
AI-generated keywords: Network Security Artificial Intelligence Self-Organizing Maps Hidden Markov Models Darktrace

AI-generated Key Points

  • Attacks on networks are becoming more complex and sophisticated
  • Traditional approaches to network security are reaching their limits
  • There is a growing recognition of the need for a smarter approach to threat detection
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied in network security
  • Self-organizing maps (SOMs) can be used for automated analysis in network security
  • Data science combined with unsupervised machine learning techniques, such as hidden Markov models (HMMs), can achieve more accurate results
  • Darktrace's "Enterprise Immune System" algorithm emulates the human body's defense mechanism against infections
  • Darktrace's system can detect and defend against malicious activity without relying on rules or known datasets
  • Darktrace has successfully detected new strains of complex ransomware attacks in real-time
  • AI in network security shows promising potential as organizations invest in these technologies to combat emerging threats.
Also access our AI generated: Comprehensive summary, Lay summary, Blog-like article; or ask questions about this paper to our AI assistant.

Abstract: Attacks to networks are becoming more complex and sophisticated every day. Beyond the so-called script-kiddies and hacking newbies, there is a myriad of professional attackers seeking to make serious profits infiltrating in corporate networks. Either hostile governments, big corporations or mafias are constantly increasing their resources and skills in cybercrime in order to spy, steal or cause damage more effectively. traditional approaches to Network Security seem to start hitting their limits and it is being recognized the need for a smarter approach to threat detections. This paper provides an introduction on the need for evolution of Cyber Security techniques and how Artificial Intelligence could be of application to help solving some of the problems. It provides also, a high-level overview of some state of the art AI Network Security techniques, to finish analysing what is the foreseeable future of the application of AI to Network Security.

Submitted to arXiv on 27 Mar. 2018

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