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Using AI for Offensive Security
Using AI for Offensive Security

Using AI for Offensive Security

Release Date: 08/06/2024

Offensive security involves proactively simulating an attacker’s behavior by using tactics and techniques similar to those of an adversary to identify system vulnerabilities. The emergence of AI technology has triggered a profound transformation in the landscape of offensive security. 

AI-powered tools can simulate advanced cyber attacks. They can identify network, system, and software vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. They can help cover a broad range of attack scenarios, respond dynamically to findings, and adapt to different environments. These advancements have redefined AI from a narrow use case to a versatile and powerful general-purpose technology. 

This publication by the CSA AI Technology and Risk Working Group explores the transformative potential of LLM-powered AI. It examines AI's integration into offensive cybersecurity, specifically vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and red teaming. It also addresses current security challenges and showcases AI’s capabilities across five security phases. By adopting these AI use cases, security teams and their organizations can significantly enhance their defensive capabilities and secure a competitive edge in cybersecurity.

Key Takeaways:
  • Current challenges with offensive security
  • Overview of LLMs and AI agents
  • How AI can assist across five security phases: reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, and reporting
  • How threat actors are using AI
  • AI advances expected in the near future
  • Current limitations of using AI in offensive security
  • Governance, risk, and compliance considerations when using AI in offensive security
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Acknowledgements

Candy Alexander
Candy Alexander
Executive Cybersecurity Advisory, Alexander Cyber Advisory Services

Candy Alexander

Executive Cybersecurity Advisory, Alexander Cyber Advisory Services

Candy Alexander is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader with over 35 years of experience driving strategic security initiatives for global organizations. As a strategic cybersecurity executive consultant, she not only specializes in helping organizations elevate their cyber risk management and security programs, but also instills confidence in her clients with her ability to align cybersecurity programs to achieve business obj...

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Michael Roza
Michael Roza
Risk, Audit, Control and Compliance Professional at EVC

Michael Roza

Risk, Audit, Control and Compliance Professional at EVC

Michael Roza is a seasoned risk, audit, control and compliance, and cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience across multinational enterprises and startups. As a Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Research member for over 10 years, he has led and contributed to more than 140 CSA projects spanning Zero Trust, AI, IoT, Top Threats, DecSecOps, Cloud Key Management, Cloud Control Matrix, and many others.

He has co-chaired...

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Josh Buker
Josh Buker
Research Analyst, CSA

Josh Buker

Research Analyst, CSA

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