Generative AI impact on Skills gap in Cybersecurity

In todays People Daily (6th Sept 2023, page 18), a Kenyan newspaper that is offered for free in print, there is an article by Harriet James on eVisa. I took keen interest and read the article. I liked the part James talked about how technology is influencing travel trends in 2023 and beyond.

First of all what is eVisa? This is an electron visa; a travel permit in an electronic form. Often required in addition to a valid passport for access into a particular jurisdiction. Being an ardent fan of travelling i found this to be a very valuable solution in travel. It simplifies the process of payment, making it user friendly, by making it available on the go globally with quicker turn around time, saving time and effort.

What is making me worried is the gaps in skills cybersecurity especially as presented by generative AI to handle such advancements. According to James there are contactless traveler experiences at international borders, AI, machine learning and data analytics (i want add deep learning) making them smart borders not very far from now.

So, what can be done in generative AI's impact on the skills gap in cybersecurity?

1. Training & Simulation: Generative AI can be used to create realistic cybersecurity scenarios and simulations for training purposes. This will allow new cybersecurity professionals to gain experience and insights without facing real-world threats and enhance the travel experience.

2. Automating Tasks: Certain repetitive tasks, like vulnerability scanning or threat analysis, scanning thousands of images, can be automated or augmented using generative AI, allowing cybersecurity professionals in the travel industry to focus on higher-level strategic tasks such terrorism and drug trafficking.

3. Threat Intelligence: Generative AI can be used to predict new forms of malware or attack vectors based on historical data, enabling cybersecurity teams to be proactive rather than reactive.

4. Increased Threats: On the downside, cybercriminals could use generative AI to develop new malware, perform sophisticated phishing attacks, or create deepfakes. This means the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals might increase. This field is not getting saturated any time soon.

5. Assistive Tools: For junior cybersecurity analysts, generative AI can provide guided assistance, suggesting steps for incident response or even potential solutions to detected issues.

6. Skill Evolution: As with any technological advancement as seen on the need for eVisa, the skill sets required will shift. Cybersecurity professionals will need to understand how to work with AI tools and, more importantly, how to recognize and defend against threats that leverage AI.

7. Constant Learning: The rapid evolution of generative AI means that professionals in the cyber space will need to continually update their skills, leading to an emphasis on continuous and consistent learning within the field.

8. Recruitment and Screening: Generative AI can also assist in bridging the skills gap by aiding in the recruitment process, screening candidates for suitable roles based on their experience, skills, and the demands of the position. this can also be applied in the travel industry as well to screen and isolate any possible danger.

To sum it up, while generative AI offers several tools and methods to bridge the skills gap in cybersecurity, the truth, is it also introduces new challenges. It is indeed a double edged sword. As with most technological advances, a combination of education, awareness, adaptation, and innovation will be necessary to effectively navigate the rapidly changing landscape.