Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we live our lives, from personalized advertisements to personalized healthcare. The proliferation of AI is supported by the fact that it works faster and more efficiently than any human being could. However, AI security is becoming a growing concern. This is particularly worrying considering that using AI often involves dealing with sensitive and confidential data. In this article, we will investigate the current state of AI security and discuss the problems facing the industry that need to be addressed.
The industry’s inability to follow best practices
One of the biggest issues facing the AI security industry is the industry’s inability to follow best practices. Despite years of warnings from security experts, some organizations still do not apply fundamental security practices when implementing AI in their products or services. As a result, many AI systems are vulnerable to attacks, even ones that have been repeatedly identified.
Availability
Around 96% of the time when organizations are taking down vulnerable components, there’s already a fix available. This means that many of the security threats that companies face can be averted if they take the necessary steps, such as applying software updates or patches. However, many still fail to fix the vulnerabilities despite this, leaving their systems exposed.
The problem is on the consumption side
The problem is not only the responsibility of the AI product or service provider, but also how these products or services are consumed. Many companies are not aware of the specific security concerns they should be looking out for when using AI. As a result, they end up with systems that are not properly regulated or managed.
Prioritizing security operations
Given the complex nature of AI technology, companies should prioritize their security operations when implementing AI. Ignoring security best practices can result in disastrous consequences such as data breaches and ransomware attacks, which can lead to financial losses and reputation damage.
Potential implications of AI tools
The implications of AI technologies are far-reaching. As AI finds its way into every aspect of our lives, companies need to consider the potential ethical and societal consequences. For example, AI used in facial recognition software can lead to racial bias, and automated decision-making algorithms can be used to discriminate against applicants.
The main security issue
Organizations still fall victim to vulnerabilities that are already known and documented. This recurring problem stems from companies not prioritizing their security obligations, not applying updates or patches promptly, or simply ignoring or underestimating the threat.
Tightening the software supply chain
Tightening the software supply chain is an important step in ensuring better AI security. Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in third-party dependencies to infiltrate and damage a company’s system. As a result, the supply chain for software development needs to be secured, monitored, and regulated.
There are plenty of conversations about the novel edge cases in AI; however, as an industry, we’re failing to follow best practices and deal with fundamental security considerations. For the AI industry to make progress in this area, basic security standards must be adopted and adhered to by all stakeholders involved in the development and deployment of AI technologies.
Improving dependency stack hygiene
There is a critical need to improve the hygiene of the dependency stack. This means that organizations should prioritize security in all aspects of their operations, from the code developers write to the software dependencies that they use.
AI security is a critical issue that needs to be addressed in the coming years. The industry needs to prioritize basic security practices, such as timely patching and updates, in conjunction with other more advanced security measures. Organizations must also understand the ethical and social implications of AI, especially as it becomes more prevalent in our everyday lives. The development and deployment of AI should go hand-in-hand with robust, industry-wide security standards that prevent future attacks and data breaches. By doing so, we can build trust with consumers, maintain our competitive edge, and ensure that AI continues to benefit humans in ways that are ethical and responsible.
