73 percent Indian businesses plan to use GenAI to enhance security measures: Report

A new report reveals a growing interest in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) among Indian companies, with 73% of organizations planning to explore its use for security purposes within the next year. However, the path towards adoption is not without hurdles, as concerns regarding technical expertise, data security, and potential misuse remain significant.

A Tentative Step Towards GenAI Adoption

The report, conducted by exposure management company Tenable in October 2023, surveyed over 800 IT and cybersecurity professionals globally, including 52 respondents from India. The findings indicate a positive outlook on GenAI's potential to enhance security measures and streamline IT operations.

• Enhanced Security: Around 31% of Indian respondents believe GenAI can improve preventive threat response, potentially enabling proactive identification and mitigation of cyberattacks.

• Automated Security Measures: 42% see GenAI as a tool for automating routine security tasks, freeing up IT staff to focus on more complex challenges.

• Improved Actionable Insights: 40% anticipate GenAI's ability to generate actionable insights from security data, leading to more effective decision-making.

These perceived benefits highlight the potential of GenAI in bolstering India's cybersecurity posture.

Challenges on the Road to Implementation

Despite the optimism, the report also identifies key obstacles hindering widespread GenAI adoption in India:

• Limited Technological Maturity: 71% of Indian respondents cited a lack of technological maturity as a major challenge. This suggests that many companies may lack the infrastructure and expertise necessary to effectively implement and manage GenAI solutions.

• Uncertainty About Applicability: Over half (54%) of Indian respondents expressed uncertainty about how GenAI could be applied within their specific operations. This highlights the need for tailored solutions and clear demonstrations of value proposition for different industries.

Security Concerns and Internal Misuse Risks

Security remains a top concern for Indian organizations venturing into GenAI. Here are some specific anxieties identified in the report:

• GenAI as a Security Threat: 40% of Indian respondents view GenAI as a potential security threat, raising concerns about its misuse by malicious actors.

• Internal Misuse Concerns: A significant portion (67%) expressed worry about the potential for internal misuse of GenAI within their organizations. This underscores the importance of robust security protocols and employee training.

• Data Security Risks: 60% of respondents are apprehensive about providing sensitive data to open-source GenAI tools, fearing intellectual property theft. This emphasizes the need for secure data management practices and exploring closed-loop or on-premise GenAI solutions.

These concerns highlight the importance of addressing security risks and building trust in GenAI technology before widespread adoption can occur.

Conclusion

The findings of this study paint a concerning picture, highlighting the devastating impact of climate change on the world's most vulnerable population – newborns. While the decrease in cold-related deaths offers a glimmer of hope, the overall rise in newborn mortality due to extreme heat presents a significant challenge.

This calls for immediate action on multiple fronts:

• International cooperation is crucial to address climate change at its source, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating global temperature rise.
• Investing in healthcare infrastructure in developing countries is essential. Strengthening healthcare systems with adequate facilities and trained personnel can significantly improve newborn survival rates.
• Community education plays a vital role. Equipping families and communities with knowledge about the dangers of extreme temperatures and strategies to keep newborns safe during heatwaves and cold snaps can be life-saving.

By taking these steps, we can work towards a future where climate change no longer jeopardizes the lives of newborns. Protecting the health of our youngest generation is not just a moral imperative; it's an investment in the future of our planet.