76 Percent of Cybersecurity Professionals Believe AI Should Be Heavily Regulated, New Study by StrongDM Finds

StrongDM survey shows 87% of professionals are worried about AI-driven threats, with only 33% feeling very confident in their current defenses.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries, the cybersecurity field faces a dual-edged sword of opportunities and threats. StrongDM‘s latest report, “The State of AI in Cybersecurity,” highlights the growing concerns and readiness of cybersecurity professionals to tackle AI-driven challenges. Based on a survey of 600 cybersecurity professionals, the report sheds light on pressing issues around AI regulation, perceived threats, defense confidence, and the future of the cybersecurity workforce.

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Key Findings from the Survey:

• Regulation Concerns: 76% of cybersecurity professionals believe AI should be “heavily regulated” to prevent misuse, underscoring the need for balance between safety and innovation.
• AI-Driven Threats: A significant 87% of respondents expressed concerns about AI-driven cyberattacks, with malware (33%) and data breaches (30%) ranking as top threats.
• Preparedness Levels: Only 33% of professionals feel “very confident” in their current defenses, and 65% of companies admit they are not fully prepared for AI-powered attacks.
• Workforce Impact: Despite challenges, two-thirds of respondents feel optimistic about AI’s potential to enhance, rather than replace, jobs in cybersecurity.

A Call for Regulation Amid Rapid AI Growth: The report reveals that 76% of surveyed professionals support “heavy regulation” of AI to mitigate potential risks. However, 15% worry that excessive oversight could stifle innovation. This underscores a need for balanced regulations that ensure security while fostering technological advancement.

Growing Concern Over AI-Powered Attacks: AI’s potential to enable new attack vectors is top of mind for cybersecurity professionals, with 87% citing concern over AI-driven threats. Malware and data breaches emerged as the leading AI-powered concerns, with 33% and 30% of respondents, respectively, indicating their apprehension over these types of attacks.

Confidence Levels Are Low, but Hope Persists: The report highlights a stark contrast in preparedness, as only 33% of respondents expressed being “very confident” in their current defenses against AI threats. Meanwhile, 46% felt “somewhat confident,” and 17% admitted their organizations were not ready for AI-driven attacks. These findings emphasize an urgent call for stronger strategies and investments to bolster AI-specific defenses.

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Companies Playing Catch-Up: StrongDM’s research found that 65% of respondents admitted their organizations are not fully prepared for AI-driven threats. While 32% of companies are actively investing in AI defenses, 48% say there’s still much to be done to close the gap.

AI’s Mixed Impact on the Cybersecurity Workforce: Despite the concerns surrounding AI, two-thirds of cybersecurity professionals maintain an optimistic outlook on the technology’s impact on their jobs. 40% believe AI will enhance job roles without replacing them, and 25% foresee the creation of new job opportunities. Nonetheless, 30% expressed fears of job replacement, showcasing the nuanced views professionals hold on AI’s future role in the workforce.

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