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Written by Or Shalom
As part of the US Department of Defense’s efforts to implement secure AI deployment strategies, an advanced tool called Panoptic Junction (PJ) was developed. The tool is designed to address the growing need for systems that can monitor and protect critical networks in real-time. PJ integrates machine learning algorithms and threat intelligence to identify risks, detect anomalies, and provide security-boosting recommendations [1]. The system was developed as part of the U.S. president’s order to develop technological tools to identify and detect vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure while responding to advanced threats. The system features and the way it’s used enable real-time security reinforcement, reduced analyst workload, and operational improvement through automation. This fascinating technology is an interesting case study that can be learned from in the next few years, due to the fact that it is based on AI and ML, analyzes imminent threat intelligence, reduces the analysts’ workload (thus saving valuable time) and, with additional capabilities, enables the improvement security in real-time. This technology provides a response to the president’s order to prepare for advanced threats and the quantum age (as I will explore later).
Investors in cyber technologies look for, as they do in other fields, rapid yield and long-term economic growth, which will return their investment and guarantee effective income later on. At the same time, they are interested in innovation and solutions to emerging problems, in a way that directs them to the following Top 5:
Artificial Intelligence in Cyberspace:
Artificial intelligence is changing the rules of the game in the ability to detect and monitor threats in real-time (just like the way they are implemented with the technology I initially presented with the review), and the ability to process vast amounts of data from a variety of sources. This market provides a quick and effective response to a wide range of issues, such as improvement of cyber intelligence capabilities, QA (as part of secure development), etc. [2]. The AI-based cyber-solutions market is expected to grow at a high rate, with billions of dollars expected in the coming years. Investors see the potential for high yield, especially with the increase in cyber threats, which requires advanced security measures across diverse sectors, ranging from critical infrastructures, defense industries, the health sector, the banking sector, and financial organizations. Furthermore, regulatory mandates and laws (such as the Presidential order) require organizations to meet advanced security requirements, with AI needing to meet computational capabilities, a fast processing rate and high performance, therefore making it an attractive target for investments.
Cloud Security:
In recent years, there has been a trend of moving to cloud-based technology, mainly due to the flexibility and scalability it allows. Cloud environments enable organizations to scale or reduce computing resources to meet their needs without the need for additional hardware. In addition, there are additional financial considerations, such as pay-as-you-go, reduced maintenance, local personnel, and more. there are quite a few risks that transitioning to cloud-based services demands, including cyber risks (for data in transit and data in rest). These are primarily derived from depending on the cloud provider (as opposed to corporate control), which exposes the customer to threats associated with the provider’s internal threats, unauthorized access to information, errors or failures in security settings, errors in the configuration of cloud settings, or phishing attacks that aim to gain access of information and materials (in a way that significantly endangers customers) [3]. Investors in cloud protection technologies see them as a great opportunity in light of the increase in cyberattacks and the rapid transition to these environments. These solutions offer protection tailored to the needs of organizations in the digital age, with a potential for high return on investment, while maintaining sensitive information in a distributed and global system.
Cyber Resilience:
The need for technologies that guarantee resilience in the event of a cyberattack opens up a whole market of solutions and services. From systems that guarantee redundancy and immediate recovery of systems at the push of a button (Failover Solutions), SIEM solutions that enable response according to built-in playbooks, technologies for Ransomware Protection to services that offer intelligence, insurance, negotiation services and more. The trigger that accelerated the Cyber Resilience market was mainly a sharp increase in ransomware and DDoS attacks. Organizations have realized that they must prepare for a situation where their systems may be compromised, and they need means to bring back operations more quickly and efficiently. With increased awareness of cyber threats, new global security regulations introduced by institutes such as NIST have set strict requirements to protect sensitive information and ensure business continuity in the event of cyberattacks, which has prompted companies to invest in solutions that ensure long-term durability [4]. These solutions are of interest to shareholders, the board of directors, and the organization’s management, as they can meet evolving threats, and help organizations remain resilient even to advanced attacks, reducing the time of service downtime, facilitating recovery, and assisting in the recovery of systems, thereby reducing possible financial losses. This means that more organizations are investing in Cyber Resilience systems, the demand for solutions is growing, and therefore investors see it as having a significant profit potential.
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA):
Many cyber incidents begin with unauthorized access to the organization’s systems. This access can be through an entity (theft of permission or impersonation) or through an asset (asset access). The Zero Trust model shapes zero-trust policies and settings in the workflows [5]. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major trigger for accelerating the adoption of Zero Trust (ZTA) technologies because of the rapid transition to remote work and the rise in cyber threats. With the transition to using personal devices, home networks, and cloud services, traditional defenses such as firewalls have become inadequate. The Zero Trust approach, based on constant authentication and dynamic access control, has become a critical need in this distributed environment. In addition, during the pandemic, there was a sharp increase in cyberattacks, including ransomware and phishing attacks, which highlighted the need for solutions that ensure effective real-time protection. The increased migration to cloud services also required a new approach to data security, especially because of stringent data privacy regulations. Zero Trust gave a solution to this need by providing encryption-based protection, continuous authentication, and activity monitoring. This approach not only ensured information security but also enabled organizations to maintain business continuity, making it a key pillar of the modern security model. Here, too, investor interest is rooted in the fact that Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) technologies solve critical cybersecurity problems and offer a fast-growing market with the potential for high return on investment.
Cyber Solutions and Technologies: The Quantum Age
This innovative niche combines quantum capabilities that impact acceleration and rapid computation. Quantum implications are significant in two main areas: Quantum encryption and quantum computing. Quantum computers are able to break down traditional encryption methods at high speed. This is a big challenge for data security, as encryptions like RSA and ECC, which are now the basis for data security, will not be resistant to quantum computers. Therefore, a new quantum encryption is needed, based on physical principles such as quantum key distribution (QKD). On the other hand, quantum computing can improve cyber capabilities with greater computational capabilities, enabling faster detection of threats and detection of suspicious patterns. Quantum cyber poses new challenges to information security but also offers technological opportunities to upgrade the level of digital protection in the future. Quantum cyber becomes more relevant as quantum computers advance, and is expected to have a significant impact on areas such as banking, government, and health. Another support for that derives from the presidential decree that has become a law regarding preparation for the quantum era, focusing on the preparation of the United States to deal with the challenges and opportunities that quantum computing poses. It seeks to accelerate the development of encryption for technologies that are resistant to quantum computers and ensure that federal and private sectors can protect sensitive information in the reality of quantum computing. This issue interests investors as part of a need for new tools, but in addition, due to the potential of changing the rules of the game in the face of future threats.
The combination of the abovementioned issues can bring on significant reinforcement to tackle risks of investing in the eyes of investors. For example: Implementing AI for cloud protection for critical infrastructure environments or the financial sector in the face of quantum threats (in accordance with presidential law) fits the requirements and needs for the coming years. Investments in these technologies are expected to yield a high return, as they offer advanced protection and the ability to deal with future threats wisely and effectively.
The author is a security, cyber, and HLS technology expert and consultant to government ministries and defense industries. He holds a master’s degree, as well as civil and national qualifications in the realm of HLS and Cyber Security. He has experience in consultation and business development for security companies and groups in matters of planning and building defense, innovation and security technology, exercises, and training in security and cyber.
- https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ260/PLAW-117publ260.pdf
- https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/artifacts/security-implications-of-chatgpt
- https://cert.europa.eu/publications/threat-intelligence/threat-memo-190802-1/pdf
- https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-160v2r1.pdf
- https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/1800/35/4prd
