Study Finds 76% of Cybersecurity Professionals Believe AI Should Be Heavily Regulated

Study Finds 76% of Cybersecurity Professionals Believe AI Should Be Heavily Regulated

November 21, 2024 at 05:50PM

StrongDM’s report, “The State of AI in Cybersecurity,” reveals cybersecurity professionals’ concerns over AI-driven threats, with 87% worried about potential attacks. Most believe in the need for heavy regulation (76%) but fear stifling innovation. Only 33% feel very confident in defenses, though many are optimistic about AI enhancing jobs.

### Meeting Takeaways from the Press Release on “The State of AI in Cybersecurity”

**Date:** November 19, 2024
**Company:** StrongDM

#### Key Findings from the Survey of 600 Cybersecurity Professionals:

1. **Regulation Concerns:**
– **76%** of professionals advocate for “heavy regulation” of AI to prevent misuse, indicating a desire for regulation that balances safety and innovation.

2. **AI-Driven Threats:**
– **87%** are concerned about AI-driven cyberattacks.
– **Top threats include:**
– Malware: **33%**
– Data breaches: **30%**

3. **Preparedness Levels:**
– Only **33%** of professionals feel “very confident” in current defenses against AI threats.
– **65%** of companies acknowledge they are not fully prepared for AI-powered attacks.

4. **Workforce Impact:**
– **Two-thirds** of respondents are optimistic about AI enhancing jobs in cybersecurity:
– **40%** believe AI will enhance job roles without replacement.
– **25%** foresee new job opportunities.
– **30%** worry about potential job replacement.

5. **Need for Stronger Defenses:**
– **65%** reported that their organizations are not fully prepared for AI-driven threats.
– **32%** are investing in AI defenses, but **48%** recognize significant gaps that need to be addressed.

#### Additional Insights:

– A call for balanced regulations highlights the risk of stifling innovation if oversight is excessive (15% express this concern).
– Urgent need for improved strategies and investments in AI-specific defenses emphasized due to low confidence among professionals.

#### Methodology Overview:
– The survey was conducted in **October 2024**, targeting U.S.-based cybersecurity professionals through an anonymous and voluntary online platform (Pollfish).

#### About StrongDM:
– StrongDM specializes in Zero Trust Privileged Access Management (PAM) and focuses on enhancing enterprise security through innovative, policy-based controls. The company is supported by prominent investors and operates globally.

#### Complete Study Results:
– For detailed findings, visit: [StrongDM’s Report](https://ift.tt/9k62ly7)

These takeaways encapsulate the critical concerns and perspectives of cybersecurity professionals regarding the integration of AI in the industry and the associated risks and opportunities.

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