AI's Role in Cybersecurity: Opportunity or Emerging Threat?
Vectra CEO Hitesh Sheth on AI as Tool for Innovation, Target for Cybercriminals
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT introduce new attack surfaces for cybercriminals, creating challenges for organizations trying to protect their digital environments, said Vectra CEO Hitesh Sheth.
See Also: Panel Discussion: Generative AI in 2024 – Navigating Business Rewards and Security Risks
The San Jose, California-based company invested in detection and response capabilities to protect against the abuse of large language models, while at the same time tapping AI to more effectively identity threats and increase the overall efficiency of security measures. Vectra has in recent years expanded its protection beyond network to cover attack surfaces including public cloud and SaaS apps (see: Vectra CEO on How to Lower the SaaS, Identity Attack Surface).
"We see gen AI as a great opportunity for productivity," Sheth said. "But also, it's going to introduce a brand-new vector that hackers can go and exploit. Our mission is to be the company to provide the same detection responsibility we have for other attack surfaces that we already serve, but now also start protecting customers against the abuse of LLMs."
In this interview with Information Security Media Group, Sheth also discussed:
- The role of AI in expanding detection capabilities across different platforms;
- How partnerships with companies such as CrowdStrike enhance security offerings;
- The importance of MDR services in strengthening hybrid enterprise defenses.
Prior to joining Vectra AI in 2012, Sheth spent three years as COO at Aruba Networks. He joined Aruba from Juniper Networks, where he served as executive vice president and general manager for its switching business and before that, senior vice president for the Service Layer Technologies group, which included security. Prior to Juniper, Sheth held senior management positions in a seven-year run at Cisco.
