SMBs Should Fight AI With AI
When an SMB has little room in the budget for cybersecurity expenses, it’s important to prioritize security spending and resources. SMBs should start by ensuring they have a strong cybersecurity framework with a robust threat detection strategy. And they should fight AI with AI.
“You could start by using an AI assistant to help you figure out what you need to prioritize. Then use tools and services that embed AI to make sure their tools are superpowered,” says Mushegian. “Also, leverage third parties that provide XDR or MDR support. Those companies can help to augment your staff. They’re using AI tooling to help them quickly resolve incidents.”
It’s also essential to establish governance models so people know what is approved to use in the company’s environment and what’s off-limits, she explains.
“It should be very clear what happens if someone uses an unsanctioned AI application in your environment,” she says. “People should understand that AI is powered with data, and that your data being used in an unsanctioned AI application is putting the business at risk.”
Reviewing which AI tools staff are using and staying on top of regulatory requirements should be part of an SMB’s regular security practice.
“AI doesn’t just make the attacker smarter, it expands your digital footprint. Your attack surface is bigger, more complex and more available that it has ever been before,” says Mushegian. “Creating awareness and establishing governance is another layer that’s very important.”
READ MORE: These are the five biggest cybersecurity risks for small businesses.
Partnership Bolsters Small Businesses’ Cyber Defenses
Having a security operations center allows businesses to monitor all of the incidents occurring in their IT environments every day. Building a SOC requires hiring specialized, dedicated staff with SOC experience, as well as onboarding and configuring security tools that can be intensive to run from an expense and time standpoint, according to Mushegian. For that reason, it’s rare for businesses to have an internal SOC, especially if they are small with limited resources.
“Thankfully, there are third parties and vendors that offer this service. So, linking up with a third party that is a trusted vendor can help to augment your team,” she explains. “You can spend more time doing things that are important to you with your very small staff while augmenting with a third party to help build out strength through a mosaic of portfolio services. Recognizing that your business is challenged and then doing whatever you can to build that out is very important.”
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