Have you ever asked yourself what your business’s level of protection from cyber threats is? There are so many tools and technologies in the market to monitor and protect your network. So another example of a cybersecurity tool that is enjoying a huge following is called Darktrace. It is expected to revolutionize threat detection, depending on AI for patterns, and possible threat identification. However, is all this a posterity to what it has been propagating all along? But what is the dark side of Darktace?
So here in this blog, we’ll explore how Darktrace can be effectively used, and its negative side too. Because this is a good time to examine where the ‘dark side’ of Darktrace lurks. Moreover, how with the right approach, companies can use it for their benefit without falling.
Dark Side of Darktrace
Darktrace has the potential to offer great security through artificial intelligence, though it involves some difficulties. So now let us look at the dark side of Darktrace and the challenges associated with this type of technology.
1. Over-Reliance on AI
However, one of the primary concerns that can be identified with Darktrace is dependency. Some organizations might consider AI as perfect, they might let the system go through its analysis which might lead to missed threats. Cybersecurity is something that remains very hard coded and requires human interaction to understand data and act accordingly.
Pitfall: However, the dangers of over-reliance include exposing your network to complex attacks that the AI cannot detect. Because you believe the AI fully protects your network.
2. False Positives
Many AI systems such as Darktrace use anomaly detection to detect threats. However, these changes can sometimes be completely normal and can result in unfolding on a user’s computer or in the network. But if not well configured the system may produce many false alarms that can flood your organization’s security team.
Pitfall: However, this means that your team will find itself in a position where they receive several false positives. Thus, they just ‘switch off’ to the alerts; hence they might miss actual threats.
3. Lack of Transparency
Lack of transparency is also a major issue with the use of AI-tempered systems as they are not easy to understand. So the problem with incorporating AI into decision-making is that this technology works by operation of algorithms. As a result, explaining the process behind a specific decision may not be easy. Hence, this lack of transparency can be disappointing for cybersecurity personnel who would like to know why actions were taken.
Pitfall: While the absence of transparency is not fatal for each of the big data success factors. As it hinders complete trust in the system or identification of a problem when something goes wrong.
4. Cost and Complexity
Hence Darktrace is an advanced system and like all things it comes with a heft of the cost and complication involved. So even though it can be efficient for increasing dealing with large companies, for SMBs it may be too expensive. Moreover, the management and maintenance of such AI-operated security systems can also pose challenges. Because it is not everyone that is proficient in this area.
Pitfall: The problem with Darktrace is that having to implement this tool would cost a business a lot of money. Moreover, it would also require skilled employees to monitor and manage the tool.
Best Practices for Using Darktrace Effectively
1. Know About The AI’s Constraints
Although Darktrace leverages Artificial Intelligence to watch over networks, the dark side of Darktrace is present too. Therefore, it should also be pointed out that in the context of any existing system, it is impossible to achieve 100% accuracy.
Because AI can get things wrong or worse, mistake normal behavior for that of a perpetrator. So that is why, any expectations must be realistic and Darktrace should be considered as a tool that can supplement people’s decisions.
Tip: It is necessary to check the alerts often and investigate the potential threats in question with the help of other methods. This can further filter out threats that are most probably not real so you do not miss out on real threats.
2. Update the System and Take Training Often
The concept here is that Darktrace mimics your network so that it can learn from it. However, changes occur, for instance, when your business complicates the initial devices, applications, or network structures. So then it should update the system.
This will make sure that the learning process carried out by Darktrace can accommodate the newly generated data. Hence the product will always be proficient in identifying abnormal activities.
Tip: Remind the system about the alterations of your network periodically to make sure that Darktrace is useful for identifying threats.
3. Customize Alerts Based on Your Business Needs
Darktrace offers certain defaults and alerts when the program is initiated but they are not necessarily customized for your organizational setting. Since the type of alerts, some networks and security policies may require change as the organization grows. So it is essential to do so. Moreover, choosing the right limit levels means that your team does not receive too many false alarms.
Tip: Conveniently set your alert levels and further tune the alert levels to suit your security needs and your network environment.
4. Work with Other Security Products
Darktrace is an effective tool, however, the company should not rely solely on that to protect it from cyber threats. Because security is not just one solution, and relying mainly on Darktrace might make your security vulnerable. However, integrate Darktrace with other solutions that you already have such as firewalls, antivirus software, and IDS.
Tip: Overlap Darktrace with your current security solutions to ensure you have a stronger way to protect against cyber threats.
5. Educate and Train Your Team
in the case of Darktrace even when it is fully automated, you should always include your cybersecurity team in its functioning processes. As with most technologies, the success of Darktrace implementation depends on the training of staff to understand the functioning of the system. How to read the alerts generated by the system and how to manage threats.
So without appropriate training, your team may not see the alert or is slow to respond.
Tip: Coordinate with your security team and install training plans and information that each of them can use to learn.
How to Navigate the Risks of Darktrace
Darktrace is quite a popular cybersecurity software that organizations use to protect their data. However, like all cybersecurity measures, it also has its dark side or risks so how you can protect yourself?
1. Undergo Normal Security Check
To understand whether Darktrace and other tools are operating correctly, perform security checkups. These audits can reveal some areas of vulnerability to your existing security framework and some areas where Darktrace may be falling short.
2. Use of a Layered Approach
As stated before, no one tool should be relied upon solely to protect your priorities. So integrating Darktrace with other conventional approaches to security management and control tools such as firewalls, complements endpoint security tools. This will result in the development of a multiple barrier model more effective against the threats.
Continuously Monitor and Adjust Settings
Cyber threats are dynamic and so are your defenses, or at least, they should be. Pay attention to how Darktrace works, and make necessary changes depending on new threats or changes in your organizational environment. These include; Over time the system can become less effective, thus the need for frequent adjustments.
Conclusion
Darktrace is a robust AI-based solution that will surely bring your cyber security to another level. But there’s the dark side of darktrace too. It is, therefore, possible to achieve operational use of Darktrace as a tool to transform enterprise security and minimize risks.
So it is always important to remind people that AI is just one component of the solution. Businesses still need advanced human knowledge to protect themselves in an increasingly threatening interconnected world.
How do you feel about Artificial Intelligence in the context of cyber defense? Has your organization implemented Darktrace or a tool of the same nature? Let us know in the comments!
