WASHINGTON – Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to improve cybersecurity, and policy should encourage its use to counter malicious actors, according to a new paper by BSA | The Software Alliance released Tuesday.

BSA outlined some of the policy considerations leaders worldwide should advance to help encourage the adoption of AI for cybersecurity, including:

• Risk-based regulation: Policymakers should focus regulation on high-risk AI, and require developers and deployers high-risk AI to establish risk management programs and conduct impact assessments to mitigate risks.
• Enable cybersecurity innovation: Policymakers should promote the use of AI as a key cyber defense tool.
• Protect data transfers: The ability to move data across borders helps analyze normal behavior, detect malicious behavior, and deliver the best cybersecurity outcomes.
• Harmonize laws and policies: Policymakers in like-minded countries should coordinate efforts to ensure laws and policies advance the use of AI for cybersecurity, including through the use of internationally-recognized standards.

“BSA members are developing AI-enabled tools that help to better counter malicious actors, and better protect customers and citizens,” said BSA Director of Policy Henry Young. “As policymakers worldwide form rules governing the development and use of artificial intelligence, a risk-based approach will help to promote rather than inhibit the use of AI for cybersecurity.”

Even as malicious actors use increasingly sophisticated tactics, including AI, to unlawfully access systems and networks, AI-enabled cybersecurity tools offer some of the best defenses. AI, the report says, helps software developers develop more secure code, better detect and respond to threats, protect against malware, and detect and prioritize vulnerabilities – among other impactful capabilities.

The BSA document comes as governments, industry, and other organizations mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.

Read AI for Cybersecurity: Ensuring Cyber Defenders Can Leverage AI to Protect Customers and Citizens here.