At the recent Engage 2026 user conference in Paris, Jonathan Zanger, the CTO of Check Point Software, shared insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. The discussions centered on the dual-edged nature of AI in security—enhancing defense capabilities while simultaneously presenting new risks.
Zanger described 2026 as a pivotal year in the tech sector, attributing the current wave of change to advances in AI technology. He believes this transformation is comparable to the internet's introduction, prompting significant shifts in how cybersecurity will function moving forward.
Transforming Threat Detection and Response
Zanger underscored the operational shifts AI has precipitated within cybersecurity firms. Traditionally, expert teams focused on spotting threats and crafting strategies to neutralize them. This approach, however, often faced limitations due to the finite number of skilled professionals available. AI, in contrast, enables a substantial scaling of operations.
For instance, Check Point's red teams, responsible for rigorously testing product security, have become vastly more effective with AI integration. By combining human intelligence with AI monitoring capabilities, the efficiency of these teams has soared dramatically—up to 20 times more than previously. With around 300 AI instances actively analyzing systems, Check Point is better equipped to enhance its cybersecurity offerings and expand its reach in protecting clients.
Emerging Threats from Malicious AI Usage
While AI aids defenders, it also empowers attackers, leading to a rise in smaller, more agile groups capable of executing complex cyber operations, including phishing and ransomware attacks, with minimal expertise. This shift raises critical questions about the security frameworks that organizations must adopt to safeguard their systems.
AI's ability to process natural language and navigate complexities has transformed previously predictable systems into more ambiguous entities. This unpredictability presents unique challenges; the more interconnected AI systems become, the broader the potential attack surface for cyber threats. Zanger emphasized the necessity for organizations to rethink their security strategies to accommodate this evolving reality.
Defensive Strategies Against AI-Powered Attacks
Cybercriminals are leveraging the speed and accessibility offered by AI to enhance their attack capabilities. As threats become more sophisticated and rapid, traditional approaches focused solely on detection and response fall short. Proactive prevention must take center stage.
Collaboration among security teams and organizations could serve as an equalizer against attackers, who only need a single successful strike to achieve their goals. Zanger advocates for a collective approach to cybersecurity—emphasizing teamwork, shared intelligence, and openness to cooperation between security entities.
Addressing Vulnerabilities in AI Platforms
Despite advancements, many AI platforms harbor vulnerabilities due to the pace of innovation outstripping security measures. Zanger urges companies to embed security protocols from the very outset when developing AI systems.
Check Point's analyses have revealed serious security flaws in various AI platforms over the past year. Organizations developing such technologies should prioritize security, even if it means delaying product launches to mitigate risks.
Imperatives for Future AI Adoption in Cybersecurity
As organizations increasingly rely on AI for operational efficiency and intelligence processing, Zanger highlights three critical areas of focus. Firstly, there's the use of AI to bolster defense mechanisms within security teams—enabling faster vulnerability detection and response. Secondly, it's vital to protect the AI applications themselves from becoming targets. Lastly, organizations must equip themselves to counteract fast-evolving AI-driven threats by employing advanced defensive models capable of recognizing unusual behaviors.
Meeting the Needs of Smaller Organizations
Smaller firms, in particular, express a desire for AI systems to provide greater transparency and auditability in threat detection and response. Zanger acknowledges the delicate balance between immediate threat blockage and the need for explanation. He advocates for systems that can autonomously neutralize threats while also facilitating understanding among users about the actions taken by security measures.
In summary, as organizations navigate this intricate interplay of AI's benefits and challenges in cybersecurity, the emphasis must remain on integrating robust security measures from the ground up. Zanger's insights reinforce the critical need for a proactive and cohesive approach to combating the future of cyber threats.
Víctor Manuel Fernández attending Engage 2026 as a guest of Check Point Software.
