AI: Striking the right balance between innovation and risk

AI has the potential to transform your cyber security by automating defences and spotting threats faster than ever. But here's the catch: it is also equipping attackers with advanced tools, making it easier for them to cause harm.

While 66% of businesses expect AI to have the biggest impact on cyber security this year, only 37% have processes in place to assess AI security before rolling it out. That's a significant gap between recognising the potential and being prepared for the risks.

Are you ready to make AI work for you without exposing your organisation to unnecessary risk? Let's dive into how you can strike the right balance ??

AI: A game-changer, but not without risk

We're encouraging businesses like yours to take AI security seriously. We understand that employees want to use AI to work smarter and improve efficiency, and that innovation is key. The goal is to make sure you have the right AI security policies in place, so your team can confidently embrace the technology while keeping your business safe from potential risks.

How critical thinking can help you stay ahead

As our CEO puts it, critical thinking is one of the most important business skills you can have, especially when it comes to cyber security. With AI-powered threats getting smarter every day, it's not just about spotting risks - it's about questioning everything.

Next time you get an email, take a moment to ask yourself:

• Does this feel right?
• Is the sender really who they say they are?
• Why the rush? Does the urgency make sense?

AI-powered attacks thrive on complacency. A sceptical eye can make the difference between identifying a threat and falling for it.

Getting the Basics Right

We know that staying secure can feel overwhelming, especially with AI changing the game. But the truth is, you don’t need complex strategies to protect your business. It’s about getting the basics right. By focusing on a few key steps, you can reduce risks and stay ahead of potential threats—without overcomplicating things.

Here are a few simple, actionable steps to help you build a solid foundation for security:

• Do a risk assessment: Take a look at your current systems to identify any gaps. This will help you stay ahead of threats and ensure you’re meeting compliance requirements.
• Use encryption and MFA: Encrypt your data to keep it safe, and add Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to make it harder for attackers to get in.
• Update contracts with partners: Make sure your agreements reflect the latest security standards, especially when working with AI.
• Have an incident response plan: Be prepared with a clear plan to act fast if something goes wrong—this will minimise damage and keep things running smoothly.
• Test your network regularly: Keep your network secure by testing for vulnerabilities, ensuring AI systems are safe from evolving threats.
• Know your assets: Take inventory of everything you have, so you can protect it better and stay compliant.
• Track compliance: Stay on top of any new regulations and make sure your business is aligned with changing security needs.

By keeping things simple and focusing on these basics, you can build strong, lasting security.

Turning Risks into Resilience

This month, we had the privilege of sponsoring our partner, Bulletproof (Cyber Security) , at their inaugural event, Turning Risks into Resilience ??

We explored some of the most pressing challenges of 2025, including:

?? Leveraging AI

?? Strengthening security to reduce insurance costs

?? How threat actors compromise modern organisations

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and dive deep into the future of cyber security.

Here's a recap of the event highlights ??

Kicking off event season in March ??

We're getting ready to kick off event season this March, and we'd love for you to join us. Whether you're looking to connect with like-minded professionals, discover fresh insights, or explore how Defense.com can help you detect and respond to threats with ease, we've got some great opportunities coming up.

Here's where you'll find us in March:

?? XCHANGE UK, 18th -19th March - Sopwell House, Cottonmill Ln, St Albans, AL1 2HQ

[ Find out more ]

?? Texas Technology Summit, 26th March - Norris Conference Center, 816 Town and Country Blvd, #210, Houston, TX, 77024

[ Find out more ]

Hopefully see you there ??

Check out our latest YouTube Clips

Discover if Managed SIEM is right for you and learn why training your staff on phishing isn't quite enough.

And that's a wrap for this month's Defense in Depth! For more expert insights make sure you subscribe to get your monthly update ?

Want help in getting the basics right?

Start your free 28-day trial with Defense.com today and get full access to all of our powerful features designed to help you detect and respond to cyber threats quickly.

Here's how Defense.com can help you:

• Identify, prioritise and remediate cyber threats
• Keep up to date with the latest threat intelligence
• See your business through the eyes of a hacker
• Detect vulnerabilities across your assets
• Educate your staff about cyber security

About Defense.com?

Defense.com? is transforming the way businesses manage cyber security by allowing them to easily identify, prioritise and remediate threats.

We help to simplify and solve the cyber security challenges facing organisations, allowing teams to protect their brand and assets against today's evolving threat landscape. Businesses of all sizes rely on our solutions to protect, detect and respond to cyber threats.