5 June 2023

How ChatGPT will change cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are rapidly transforming the cybersecurity industry. With cybersecurity constantly evolving due to new threats emerging daily, protection of data has rapidly grown to become a complex task. However, with advanced technology like ChatGPT, the cybersecurity landscape is set to change dramatically.

With its ability to generate human-like text, ChatGPT has been used for a wide range of applications, including language translation, content creation, and even chatbot development. However, its potential in the field of cybersecurity is yet to be fully explored. These technologies have the ability to make it easier for organisations to protect their networks and data by improving the detection and prevention of cyber threats.

Here are some examples of cybersecurity advantages from ChatGPT:

Threat Analysis:

Hackers are constantly devising new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, and it can be difficult for human analysts to keep up. ChatGPT can be trained to identify patterns in data that might be indicative of a potential attack. By analysing vast amounts of data, ChatGPT can quickly identify potential threats and alert security personnel, allowing them to take pre-emptive action.

Security Protocols:

Security protocols are set to protect computer networks from unauthorized access or attacks. However, developing effective security protocols can be a time-consuming and complex process. ChatGPT can be trained on datasets of past attacks and security breaches, allowing it to develop sophisticated security protocols that can better protect computer networks.

Incident Response:

ChatGPT can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of security incident response. When a security breach occurs, it is essential to respond quickly and effectively to mitigate the damage. ChatGPT can be trained on historical data to develop incident response plans that are tailored to specific types of attacks.

By automating the incident response process, ChatGPT can reduce response times and improve the accuracy of responses, ultimately reducing the damage caused by security breaches.

Considering the benefits, the use of AI has the potential to completely transform the cybersecurity industry. However, we shouldn’t become blind to the threats and dangers surrounding ChatGPT.

Here are some threats from ChatGPT:

Realistic phishing emails:

ChatGPT can be trained on a dataset of phishing emails and then used to generate new, more convincing phishing emails. Unfortunately, this means the number of successful phishing attacks will only grow. However, in preparation of ChatGPT being used maliciously, it can be integrated into the company’s anti-phishing training to improve employee awareness.

“Deep Fake campaigns”:

Despite being showcased as a chatbot, with additional steps, ChatGPT can be used to generate audio and video output. By fabricating credible audio/video of a person following a script that the real person never performed, these Deep Fakes can be harmfully used for fraud, robbery, misleading, impersonating, smear campaigns, brand attacks, etc.

Misinformation:

If one can modify the content used by ChatGPT to affect how it learns context, then this could create large-scale misinformation campaigns. Unsuspecting people could appear to support a misleading version of reality or events, or other similar false narratives, resulting in the spread of misinformation.

These are just a few examples of how ChatGPT can be used in cybersecurity, but the possibilities are endless. Keep in mind that ChatGPT relies heavily on data to generate responses, and its accuracy depends on the quality and relevance of the data it has been trained on. In the case of cybersecurity, there may be limited and incomplete data on emerging threats, making it difficult for ChatGPT to provide accurate and relevant responses.

While ChatGPT can provide useful insights into cybersecurity, it is not a substitute to human expertise and judgement. It is essential to use ChatGPT as a starting point for further investigation and analysis by cybersecurity professionals.

Published by Morison Global member, DDK & Company, New York, USA.