97% of cyber security teams using AI tools, says report

Check Point Software, a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider, has released a report confirming that over 97% of security teams are now using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools as part of their cyber defence strategy.

The research, conducted in collaboration with UK-based market research firm Vanson Bourne, indicates that AI tools are being deployed in various ways, including enhancing incident response rates, improving malware protection, and reducing instances of data loss.

Les Williamson, ANZ Managing Director at Check Point Software Technologies, highlighted the importance of AI in modern cyber security strategies. "AI enables security teams to respond to threats much more quickly and neutralise attackers before they can cause damage or disruption," said Williamson.

The study found a significant number of organisations leveraging advanced Generative AI (GenAI) tools to reduce manual work and minimise false-positive flags. In the Asia-Pacific region, nearly one in two organisations believe that GenAI can streamline security operations and optimise resource allocation. This proportion is the highest across the three global regions covered by the research: North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Survey respondents identified several key benefits delivered by GenAI tools. More than 50% cited a better understanding of user behaviour and anomalies as a major advantage. Other benefits included increased accuracy of security events (over 45%), faster analysis of security events (over 42%), and enhanced threat detection and prevention (over 35%).

"The research demonstrates that GenAI tools are already providing significant benefits to both security teams and their users," said Williamson. "With these tools continuing to develop rapidly, the benefits will only increase over time."

Despite the advantages, the survey also revealed a persistent skills gap within security teams, with 89% of organisations reporting a shortage of skilled staff. The competition for talent remains intense, and 98% of respondents confirmed that the skills gap is affecting the efficiency of their security operations, with 40% describing the impact as strong.

Williamson acknowledged the challenges posed by the skills gap, especially as cybercriminals are also using AI tools to enhance their attacks. "The skills gap puts a serious damper on how effectively organisations can assemble the right defences against AI-infused and overall cybercrime," he said. He added that many organisations are increasingly turning to GenAI tools to bridge this gap by automating tedious, time-consuming tasks, thereby allowing team members to focus on more value-adding activities.

Despite the promising role of GenAI in cyber security, the survey respondents pointed out challenges related to keeping AI models up to date and complying with data regulations. "GenAI will help to transform organisations as cyber security providers integrate greater intelligence into their offerings," Williamson concluded. "Taking advantage of the powers of GenAI will pave the way for a more secure and resilient digital future."