AI and ML shaping the future of cybersecurity

Zuhair Husain, Director, Pentacle IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

“Transitioning to Zero Trust and identity-based security frameworks is crucial for businesses, especially as cybersecurity incidents continue to rise. The shift from 'Trust All, Block Some' to 'Block All, Trust When Required' strategies is vital in countering modern threats. In recent years, many businesses have adopted cloud-based identities like Microsoft Entra ID as part of Microsoft 365, addressing basic identity management needs. The next challenge is implementing the necessary solutions and policies that build on these identities, ensuring comprehensive security.

Identity management and Zero Trust solutions, like Microsoft’s Entra ID and Sophos, are central to implementing an identity-first security model. These tools provide the foundation for securing access and monitoring user behaviours, offering proactive defence against potential threats.

However, the journey isn’t without challenges. Many small and medium-sized organizations perceive these solutions as costly and better suited for enterprise-level companies. The widespread use of legacy applications also makes it difficult to implement these solutions across entire organizations. Additionally, the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals remains a significant barrier.

The future of cybersecurity lies in AI and machine learning. By working with Sophos, which integrates AI into its products, we are already positioning ourselves to offer advanced security solutions. As AI-driven capabilities evolve, they will play a critical role in enhancing threat detection, response times, and overall security posture, ensuring businesses are well-equipped to face emerging threats.”