Machine Learning for Cyber Agents: Attack and Defence

AI has both enhanced and endangered the cyber world, with improved security services and new threats. Quantum computers are pushing the boundaries of machine learning, making it faster and smarter. This book explains why and how to mistrust machine learning, and how to benefit from it while avoiding disastrous consequences. It also sheds light on the application of machine learning for offensive purposes, which is widely misunderstood and requires expert attention.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 227 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the cyber world has been profound, both enhancing and endangering various aspects of digital security. On the one hand, AI has led to significant improvements in the performance of existing security services, enabling them to detect and respond to threats more effectively. It has also paved the way for the development of new tools and techniques that can help organizations protect their systems from cyberattacks.

However, the advent of AI has also introduced new cyber threats that are more sophisticated and challenging to mitigate. These threats arise from the inherent imperfections and vulnerabilities of AI systems, as well as from their evolving attacking capabilities. For example, AI-powered malware and ransomware have become increasingly prevalent, exploiting the weaknesses of AI algorithms to launch devastating attacks.

Moreover, the rise of quantum computers is further pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the cyber realm. These machines are capable of performing complex calculations at unprecedented speeds, making them ideal for tasks such as cryptanalysis and machine learning. However, this also means that they can potentially break existing encryption algorithms, rendering existing security measures obsolete.

In the face of these evolving threats, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks and benefits of AI-based technologies. This book aims to provide such an understanding, from a cyber security perspective. It will explore why and at what stage machine learning can and should be mistrusted, as well as how to benefit from it while avoiding potentially disastrous consequences.

Furthermore, the book will shed light on another highly sensitive area that is often misunderstood and under-represented in the academic literature: the application of machine learning for offensive purposes. This aspect of AI is widely regarded as a potential threat to national security, and it requires immediate expert attention. The book will provide insights into the techniques and strategies used by cybercriminals to exploit machine learning for their own purposes, as well as the measures that organizations can take to protect themselves from these attacks.

In conclusion, the cyber world has been both enhanced and endangered by AI, and it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of these technologies to ensure their responsible and secure use. This book aims to provide such an understanding, by exploring the potential risks and benefits of AI-based technologies from a cyber security perspective.

Weight: 379g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030915872
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022