IBM Introduces AI-Powered Cybersecurity Tools

IBM has unveiled new generative artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements to its managed threat detection and response services, as highlighted in PYMNTS News. This addition, called the IBM Consulting Cybersecurity Assistant, is built on IBM’s watsonx data and AI platform, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of identifying, investigating, and responding to critical security threats.

Mark Hughes, Global Managing Partner of Cybersecurity Services at IBM Consulting, highlighted the evolving nature of cyber incidents, stating, «As cyber incidents evolve from immediate crises to multi-dimensional and months-long events, security teams are facing the enduring challenge of too many attacks and not enough time or people to defend against them.»

The Cybersecurity Assistant is designed to reduce the workload of security analysts by automating manual investigations and operational tasks. «By enhancing our Threat Detection and Response services with generative AI, we can reduce manual investigations and operational tasks for security analysts, empowering them to respond more proactively and precisely to critical threats, and helping to improve overall security posture for clients,» Hughes added.

The new tool analyzes patterns of historical and client-specific threat activity, providing security analysts with a timeline view of attack sequences. It also auto-recommends actions based on these patterns and pre-set confidence levels, thereby accelerating response times and reducing attackers’ dwell time. IBM emphasized that the assistant’s speed and accuracy would improve over time as it continuously learns from investigations.

In related news, PYMNTS noted that AI is revolutionizing how cybersecurity teams handle threats. Timothy E. Bates, Chief Technology Officer at Lenovo, explained that AI-driven tools, such as machine learning-based anomaly detection systems, flag unusual behavior and offer comprehensive threat intelligence and predictive analytics. «Deep learning can analyze malware to understand its structure and potentially reverse-engineer attacks. These AI operatives work in the shadows, continuously learning from each attack to not just defend but also to disarm future threats,» Bates said.

The launch of these tools comes amidst significant cybersecurity challenges in the U.S., with 82% of large merchants reporting data and cyber breaches in the past year. The PYMNTS Intelligence report «Fraud Management in Online Transactions» stressed the need for stronger anti-fraud strategies and enhanced cybersecurity measures. Outsourcing fraud prevention to specialized providers has proven effective, achieving a 32% reduction in failed payment rates compared to in-house efforts. The report also noted the importance of two-factor authentication, which, although only implemented by 53% of merchants, is crucial for minimizing payment failures.