Torrance, CA-based, Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. has focused on helping SMB clients secure their data since 1990. The firm serves clients throughout the United States, including K-12 educational institutions, state and local government offices, financial institutions, transportation agencies, healthcare facilities, and real estate firms.
Aurora President Philip de Souza, who admits to enjoying “new, bright and shiny” technology, is watching developments in AI to discern how it can help boost cybersecurity. At the same time, he acknowledges the risks it presents to the organizations companies like his are striving to protect.
When exploring how AI applies to cybersecurity, de Souza urges the industry to focus on educating customers. “[It’s] knowledge, knowledge, knowledge: informing your customers, informing your end users about what the heck AI is,” he said. While veteran IT professionals may argue that artificial intelligence has been around for a long time—and thus write off the current hype—it’s necessary for customers to be aware of the risks involved in using it. “It’s a little more than just the monster under the bed; it’s real. What are we putting out there, in this short-term excitement, that could come back to hurt us?”
That said, AI can play a significant role in helping companies become more secure. “[You can] turn this around and say, ‘take all this data and go find me threats, and go find me the guys who are trying to break into my organization,'” de Souza observed. “If I can do that instantaneously, in Terminator-like terminology I’m using the machines to fight the machines.” That, he says, is “cool stuff.”
Government bodies are providing resources to help cybersecurity companies like Aurora navigate through the latest threat landscape. De Souza points to agencies like CISA and NIST as two examples that offer frameworks, alerts, trainings, and other critically important tools.
But when it comes to AI, are we moving too fast? De Souza concedes that yes, we are, but we don’t have much choice. Instead, he urges people to embrace it—albeit pragmatically.
“There’s got to be contextual parameters and there’s got to be guard rails,” de Souza said. This an emerging technology, he says, which requires training and awareness. Still, he believes that AI offers more opportunities than not. “We’ve got to have some parameters, but let’s run with it. We’re a leading country in technology, we’re leading in AI, and I feel that to have better lives, a better standard of living, and happier people, things like AI are stepping stones towards that goal.”
