As cyber attackers increasingly turn to artificial intelligence, defenders are reaching for the same technology to fight back. According to The Conversation, spy agencies say AI can help combat the cyber risks created by AI itself.
The core idea is a kind of arms race playing out in cybersecurity: the same tools that let attackers move faster and probe systems more cleverly can also be turned toward defense — spotting intrusions, flagging suspicious activity, and helping security teams keep pace with a rising volume of threats.
But the message from intelligence agencies, as reported by The Conversation, comes with a caution: don't forget the basics. In other words, AI is not a substitute for foundational security practices. Even as organizations adopt AI-powered defenses, the unglamorous fundamentals — things like keeping software patched, managing access carefully, and maintaining good security hygiene — remain essential.
That framing matters because it tempers the hype. AI is often pitched as a silver bullet, but the agencies' point is that it works best as a layer on top of solid groundwork, not as a replacement for it. A defense strategy built on AI alone, while neglecting routine protections, could leave dangerous gaps.
Why it matters: as both attackers and defenders race to harness AI, the agencies' guidance is a reminder that the most advanced tools only deliver if the simple, proven safeguards are already in place.