Preface
2023 was one of those rare years in IT that forever changed the world. While we've been using machine learning and artificial intelligence in Google Security for nearly two decades, the rise of Generative AI has dominated many hot news topics and Google's security updates. This article will share a series of insights into the future proposed by the Google CISO office, including the 2024 new-type report "Cybersecurity Predictions".
Here are the top 10 security updates from Google that received the most attention from readers and customers this year:
- Google Cloud withstands the largest DDoS attack, peaking at over 398 million requests per second.
- How Google Cloud leverages Generative AI to enhance security.
- Google researchers discover 'Reptar', a new CPU vulnerability.
- Google Cloud guarantees open-source service is now generally available.
- Expanding Google's security AI ecosystem at the 2023 Security Summit.
- How Google and Intel make confidential computing more secure.
- Trapped in frameworks: Leaders should avoid security framework traps.
- Tips: Things to consider when thinking about protecting AI.
- How leaders reduce risk by closing the security theater.
- Duet AI now generally available for developers and security operations.
Cybersecurity often resembles a defensive battle requiring rapid responses, constantly busy addressing the latest zero-day vulnerabilities, needing to stay afloat in the sea of alarm waves, and quickly delving into research or frantically running to keep business leaders and senior executives informed of security needs. However, proactive preparation is a key part of cybersecurity for organizational leaders, and Google's new-type report, "Cybersecurity Predictions," explores scenarios Google expects to happen in the coming year based on current trends.
The report is a collaborative effort of the Google Cloud Security team, including Mandiant Intelligence, Mandiant Consulting, Chronicle Security Operations, Google Cloud's CISO office, and VirusTotal. Here are some highlights selected by Google from the report and reinforced with new insights from the CISO office.
Generative AI drives defender conversations
Google anticipates that Generative AI and foundational models will play a rapidly growing role among threat actors and defenders. Threat actors may use AI to scale up information operations, Google wrote in the report, "We expect to see actions in phishing texts and other social processes become more human-like. AI may help them craft more precise wording, reduce grammatical errors, and highlight cultural background in phishing attacks."
However, as attackers become more persistent and innovative, network defenders will be able to use improved tools to thwart them. Defenders will use Generative AI and related technologies to enhance detection, response, and attribution of adversaries, as well as to speed up analysis and other time-consuming tasks such as reverse engineering. In the long run, we expect that leveraging AI to enhance security organizations will have additional benefits of reducing labor intensity, coping with threat overload, and filling the widening talent gap.
David Homovich, a security consultant in the CISO's office, said, "In 2023, executives from many industries have become more actively involved in overseeing cybersecurity, primarily due to the business risks posed by evolving cyber threats and the potential impact of new regulations. This involvement reflects an increasing recognition that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but is part of overall risk management. We will continue to encourage executives to educate themselves, participate, and stay informed to maintain effective oversight. If not already done, start planning now, especially in terms of budget and resources."
Source：https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/cloud-ciso-perspectives-our-2024-cybersecurity-forecast-report