Machine Learning Is Not The Answer To Better Network Security

Matt Harrigan is a longtime professional in the information security industry, building products that challenge traditional security models. I know, right now you're saying "But wait Matt, All I hear is that every hot new company in the space is based on machine learning and that VCs are funding machine learning companies in record numbers, even with the economy in question." And you're right, they are – usually for very good reasons. I am not advocating against an entire field of study, only against its recent inappropriate application in analyzing the entirety of your network. Algorithmic learning theory, clustering, self-organizing maps and all that other neat sounding stuff –could- potentially be very useful in specific areas of security, under the right circumstances.