As we modernize, our already complex technological environment is becoming even more dynamic, and we're challenged from all sides by a broad range of sophisticated adversaries. To meet our ambitious modernization goals, it's critical that we elevate our security posture. Fortunately, the future is now: The tools needed to do this effectively are here today. But a focused effort is required not only to use them for security but also to alter the ways in which capabilities, networks, and talent are delivered. It is vitally important to build in adaptive security.

The stakes are now higher because bad actors are engaging in organized crime, akin to cyberwarfare by nation-states. We've seen hospitals targeted during COVID-19 outbreaks, pipelines unable to deliver fuel, and other highly targeted attacks. The bad actors' new paradigm is to present two extortion threats on stolen enterprise data: holding the data hostage and threatening to leak sensitive information, including customer records and intellectual property. Such threats are especially salient for large organizations, which have the money and data desired by cybercriminals. Moreover, the attack surface for such crimes is ever-expanding as trends such as the adoption of 5G mobile networks and work-from-home policies push enterprise technology beyond its traditional borders.

The shortcomings of artificial intelligence tools in the cybersecurity world have drawn a lot of attention. But does the bad press mean that AI isn't working? Or is AI just getting slammed for failing to meet overinflated expectations? It's time to take a hard look at what AI is accomplishing before kicking it to the curb. There's never been a superhero who hasn't gone to the dark side or fallen off their pedestal.

With damage related to cybercrime projected to hit $6 trillion annually by 2021, enterprises are putting more emphasis than ever on securing their digital and organizational assets. While rudimentary machine learning has played a role in cyber threats for some years, today there's talk of the looming threat of malicious AI: AI-powered cyber-attacks capable of causing massive damage worldwide without the involvement of human operators. To better understand the threats and opportunities presented by AI in the cyber security space, we went to the AI Summit San Francisco to catch up with Justin Fier, director of cyber intelligence and analytics at Darktrace – the company putting AI to work on cyber defense. Justin's background is in the US intelligence community, and today works with Darktrace's global customers on threat analysis, defensive cyber operations, IoT security, and machine learning. What are the key takeaways from your AI Summit keynote?