AI’s role in strengthening Zero Trust architecture

As AI becomes more integrated into cybersecurity, the challenge of fitting AI within a Zero Trust framework is a growing priority. Katea Murray, vice president and chief technology officer of mission solutions at Leidos, recently shared insights on how AI can enhance Zero Trust strategies without compromising security during a panel at the 2024 Billington Cybersecurity Summit.

Balancing AI and security in modern cyber defense

The intertwined nature of AI and cybersecurity means AI not only presents risks but also solutions for security teams.

"When we're talking about AI, we've got to talk about governance around the capabilities we are implementing," Murray noted. "And when we talk about governance, we hone in on the security implementations of the models and how we're implementing that structure.

As AI takes on greater roles in cybersecurity operations, its value lies in pattern recognition, threat detection, and automation. By enabling faster decision-making, AI can help organizations quickly respond to cyber threats while maintaining control over data integrity and privacy. However, panelists emphasized that AI's effectiveness hinges on its ability to be trusted-by users and the systems in which it operates.

Trust and transparency in AI

The importance of trust when integrating AI into Zero Trust frameworks is paramount. To enable this, Murray explained that Leidos has adopted a "design to trust" approach.