Lucia Mundina, CEO of Edgewatch, Addresses Cybersecurity Exposure in the Age of AI
Today, at the Accelerator Stagering°werk event held at Nürburgring, Germany, technology enthusiasts, cybersecurity experts, and industry leaders gathered to witness a thought-provoking keynote presentation by Lucia Mundina, the CEO of Edgewatch, a prominent Attack Surface Management Platform. The keynote, titled “Dealing with: Cybersecurity Exposure in the Age of AI,” shed light on the challenges and solutions surrounding the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Mundina’s address underscored the pressing need for organizations of all sizes to fortify their defenses against AI-driven cyber threats.
Edgewatch, as introduced by Lucia Mundina, is an innovative platform that enables organizations to visualize their external attack surface from the perspective of a hacker. It empowers companies to identify and rectify vulnerabilities, often without incurring substantial costs.
In her opening statement, Mundina acknowledged the transformative impact of AI on businesses, citing its contributions to increased efficiency and automation. However, she emphasized that this rapid expansion comes with significant cybersecurity risks. To support her claims, Mundina referred to data from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), highlighting the growing frequency of AI-driven attacks globally.
One of the key challenges highlighted by Mundina was the use of AI by cyber attackers to automate vulnerability exploits. She quoted an industry expert who stated, “Nowadays it’s possible to automate large attacks with no human error, so taking advantage of any gap will be a piece of cake for any attacker.” This insight emphasized the need for organizations to stay one step ahead in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities.
Mundina also pointed out the all-encompassing impact of AI-driven attacks. These attacks are not limited to specific assets but have the potential to disrupt entire services. A breach in one area can trigger cascading events that affect multiple facets of an organization’s operations, highlighting the urgency for comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
The fast-paced threat landscape was another focal point of the presentation. Mundina noted that AI-driven threats evolve rapidly, adapting and learning from interactions with existing defenses. Traditional cybersecurity measures often struggle to keep up. She referenced data from the Ponemon Institute, indicating that AI-driven attacks are 2.5 times more likely to bypass traditional cybersecurity measures.
Resource drain and response time were addressed as well. Mundina emphasized that AI-driven attacks can overwhelm even well-prepared cybersecurity teams due to their scale and speed. Rapid response, she stressed, is paramount to prevent devastating consequences. To substantiate her claims, Mundina referred to a recent report by Gartner that highlighted the increased demand for real-time monitoring and threat detection solutions.
To confront these challenges, Mundina outlined a three-pronged approach for organizations. Firstly, she recommended implementing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions, such as Acronis, which leverage AI for real-time monitoring and threat detection. She mentioned that traditional antivirus solutions are no longer sufficient in today’s threat landscape.
Secondly, Mundina advocated for enhancing knowledge through External Attack Surface Management (EASM) platforms like Edgewatch. These platforms provide comprehensive visibility into an organization’s digital attack surface, helping identify potential entry points for attackers.
Lastly, she emphasized the importance of robust company policies as the foundation of a strong defense. Clear and up-to-date policies covering data protection, access controls, incident response plans, and employee training are essential to bolster cybersecurity posture.
In her closing remarks, Mundina urged industry collaboration to stay ahead of AI-driven cyber threats. She concluded by reiterating the three key points to tackle this new AI-driven environment: implementing EDR solutions, enriching knowledge with EASM platforms, and fortifying company policies.
Lucia Mundina’s keynote at Accelerator Stagering°werk highlighted the imperative need for organizations to adapt and fortify their cybersecurity defenses in the face of AI-driven threats. The event concluded with an invitation to learn more about Edgewatch at their booth and explore integration opportunities through the Acronis Marketplace, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in the ongoing battle against cyber threats.