Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 90 | Page 20

TRENDING well-being of cybersecurity professionals , improving employee experience and key skill retention .
According to Stanford , the deluge of cybersecurity data and alerts poses a significant challenge , often overwhelming analysts and impeding their ability to prioritise and react effectively . Herein lies the transformative power of AI-driven automation .
Specific use cases include : of greater scrutiny of TikTok , and other social media companies , are just as important in South Africa .
Adrian Stanford , CTO ESET Southern Africa
Carey van Vlaanderen , CEO ESET Southern Africa
Accelerating threat research helps cybersecurity specialists discover and analyse new threats more rapidly . That ’ s key , in an industry where safety means staying one step ahead of evolving threats .
Machine learning algorithms play a pivotal role in behavioural and malicious code analysis , offering insights into the modus operandi of cybercriminals .
Large language models serve as invaluable tools to interpret and explain threat intelligence , facilitating case summarisation , and automating incident creation .
It is imperative to recognise that AI should complement , not replace , human expertise . Human oversight remains indispensable in guiding and refining AI-driven cybersecurity solutions for the foreseeable future , ensuring ethical and effective implementation in the cybersecurity domain , says Stanford .
AI can be an excellent , personalised training tool . AI equips junior security professionals with the skills and expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of cyberspace effectively .
Secondly , AI-powered tools can augment the capabilities of junior security professionals as described above , making them more effective . Thirdly , with the automation of certain aspects of threat hunting , advanced security professionals can focus their finite resources on more advanced tasks .
Given that AI transforms the cybersecurity landscape with potential for both defenders and attackers , the human element remains vital . The synergy between AI and human intelligence remains essential to maintain robust cybersecurity defences .
TikTok in Africa
As the debate around TikTok continues to unfold , social media users are grappling with the layers of issues surrounding the potential ban of the popular social media application in the United States and other countries . From national security concerns to data privacy and children ’ s safety , the implications
The primary reason behind the US government ’ s interest in banning TikTok revolves around national security . Lawmakers worry that the Chinese-owned application , developed by ByteDance , could be used to collect and share sensitive user data with the Chinese government .
An investigation by Consumer Reports , suggests that , as the fastest-growing social media platform in the world , TikTok gathers data even from individuals who do not use the application or visit the platform ’ s website . This is because TikTok receives data from its partners who gather information about people visiting their websites . Other well-known platforms like Google or Meta , Facebook and Instagram use the same strategy for advertising purposes .
It is crucial for users to understand the extent of the personal information they share , often unknowingly , when they use social media platforms like TikTok . This awareness can empower users to make more informed
decisions about their online activities .
Social media platforms , including TikTok , collect a vast array of data from their users . This data can include status updates , location data , personal interests , and even engagement on other social media platforms . Companies use this information to tailor advertisements and recommend content , but it also raises some understandable privacy concerns .
The risks associated with data collection and potential breaches means there is a definite need for people to implement robust data protection measures together with more transparency from social media companies . While stricter laws and regulations may help , consumers should still be vigilant about their digital footprints and take steps to protect their personal information .
As discussions about TikTok ’ s future in the United States and other countries continue , the issues surrounding data privacy and user safety remain relevant for social media users everywhere . Understanding the data practices of social media platforms and taking steps to protect personal information is a necessity in today ’ s digital age . p
20 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com