Australian firms eye generative AI, but security concerns lurk

A recent study by Forrester Consulting, commissioned by Tenable, has revealed that 66% of Australian organisations are planning to adopt generative AI (GenAI) within the next 12 months to bolster security measures and align IT objectives with broader business goals. The study highlights both the optimism surrounding GenAI's potential and the challenges organisations face in effectively implementing these technologies.

The data, gathered from the Australian edition of the study titled "How to Discover, Analyze and Respond to Threats Faster with Generative AI," included responses from 826 IT and cybersecurity professionals, among them 102 from Australia. The research indicates a significant shift in the strategic focus of Australian businesses towards the adoption of GenAI, driven by the potential benefits perceived by security leaders.

Despite the optimistic outlook for GenAI's role in enhancing security, the study uncovers a notable concern: only 11% of organisations express high confidence in their ability to implement GenAI effectively. This lack of confidence underscores the challenges involved in navigating the integration of GenAI technologies while managing associated risks.

Another critical finding from the study is the perception of GenAI as a security threat. Approximately 44% of Australian organisations view GenAI as presenting more risks than opportunities, reflecting widespread apprehension about the cybersecurity implications of its implementation. Concerns about internal misuse further exacerbate these fears, with 48% of respondents worried about the potential for misuse of GenAI within their own organisations.

The importance of data quality and integrity in the success of GenAI initiatives is another significant takeaway from the research. A substantial 80% of Australian respondents emphasise that the effectiveness of GenAI heavily relies on the quality of the data used. This finding highlights the crucial role of robust data governance and management practices in ensuring the efficacy of GenAI applications.

Commenting on the study, Scott McKinnel, Country Manager ANZ at Tenable, said, "GenAI offers incredible benefits, but there are also serious concerns about security, governance, and data quality. Organisations need to tackle these challenges head-on to fully harness GenAI's potential while keeping risks at bay."

He further elaborated on the growing complexities businesses face, stating, "With the growing use of cloud services, virtualisation platforms, microservices, applications, and code libraries, the attack surface is expanding. This means organisations face vulnerabilities, cloud misconfigurations, and risks tied to identity access, groups, and permissions. GenAI can help by bringing together data from various sources, making it easier for Australian organizations to understand and manage these complexities. This way, they can quickly identify exposures, prioritise actions, and see connections across the entire attack surface."

The study calls attention to the delicate balance Australian businesses must strike between innovation and managing potential cybersecurity risks as they explore the integration of GenAI. The insights provided by the study serve as a crucial guide for organisations aiming to leverage GenAI while ensuring robust security measures and maintaining data integrity.