AI in Dental Care: How AI Cybersecurity Combats Emerging Threats

An IRL Example of AI Attack Tactics

The front reception team never emails the CEO directly, yet a convincing AI-generated message goes from reception to the CEO’s inbox. The specialized AI cybersecurity software spots this action and isolates the affected areas on the network for further analysis. 

That phishing message may have contained a malicious link that would download paralyzing ransomware, compromising an entire office's digital environment. Considering it came from a known sender, the CEO may have quickly clicked on the link on instinct, opening their business up to a potential attack.

Malware Analysis

Unlike generic antivirus options that use predetermined defense protocols, AI examines sample malware to understand its behavior and intent. Through ongoing behavioral analysis, it identifies known malware signatures and detects new malware strains. The more a cybersecurity team and its software learn, the faster they can stop cyber attacks.

Predictive Analysis

A key differentiating factor in AI threat detection is the ability to forecast potential cyber threats, analyzing historical data to better prepare for an intrusion. Identifying trends that might indicate future attacks used to be an arduous process, relying on cybersecurity professionals poring over hundreds of pages from industry and government reports. 

Now, AI cybersecurity software automatically reviews information on previous attacks and viruses on its own. This ability to make inferences, recognize patterns, and perform proactive actions shows the importance of AI in preventing breaches.

User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

Damage to your business doesn’t always come from external bad actors—the employees you least expect may have ulterior motives that lead to a loss of financial and reputational stability. 

AI analyzes user/entity behavior to detect unusual or unauthorized actions, block execution, and alert IT or HR teams to confront the suspected party. AI cybersecurity solutions help identify employees engaging in malicious activities and mitigate dangerous insider actions and compromised accounts.

Accelerated Response to Active Hazards

AI uses automation to prevent cyber attacks from escalating. By isolating affected systems, blocking malicious traffic, and containing a breach before it spreads, the tangible advantage of capable AI cybersecurity is impossible to ignore. This technology is a necessity these days for healthcare organizations to protect patient data from theft. Most often, these intrusion attempts happen overnight, on weekends, or during holidays when hackers have the best chance to circumvent the security measures that IT may have in place. Utilizing AI allows for 24/7 monitoring of suspicious activity and alerts your cyber partner and IT resources to respond immediately to the threat.

Hacker Attribution

Most cybercriminals don’t give up easily; even if your software withstands a single network intrusion, they will try and try again until your digital infrastructure comes crashing down. AI cybersecurity measures aren’t only learning to stop attacks when they happen, but cutting them off at the source.

In the event of an attempted breach, AI assists in attributing the breach to a specific hacking group, comparing attack patterns, techniques, and other characteristics to historical examples. The information can then be passed to organizations that create security strategies, policies, and regulations going forward to help all businesses stay out of harm’s way.

Ready to Build Your AI Cybersecurity Strategy?

Protecting your dental practice may seem daunting as the level of sophistication of these hacking groups grows exponentially. Thankfully, you aren’t alone in this cyber war — a security assessment can spot practice vulnerabilities and risks before they are exploited. Once located, your cybersecurity partner develops a comprehensive battle plan using the latest data protection solutions. In the final part of our AI in the Dental Space series, we’ll explore how businesses of any size can safeguard against new threats with a customized approach to leveling up their security.