SecurEyes: Pioneering cybersecurity in digital era with AI innovation

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: In the bustling heart of Bengaluru, where innovation and technology converge, two visionary minds, Karmendra Kohli and Seemanta Patnaik, embarked on a journey that would redefine the very fabric of cybersecurity.

In 2006, amidst the thriving tech landscape, they co-founded SecurEyes, a beacon of excellence in the realm of digital defence.

With a shared passion for safeguarding the virtual realm, Kohli and Patnaik talk about how we can harness the power of artificial intelligence to stand as a formidable shield against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

As the digital frontier continues to expand, their pioneering efforts have propelled them to the forefront of the battle against malicious intent.

In an exclusive interview, we delve into their insights, exploring the profound implications of AI in cybersecurity – from its current presence and potential dangers to its limitless future possibilities and undeniable benefits.

Seemanta Patnaik and Karmendra Kohli, two of the first cyber security professionals in the city, faced the challenge of raising awareness about cyber security, especially in the banking sector.

They had to first explain to their clients what cyber security is and the threats of cybercrime, and then explain how they would protect their systems.

The next big threat?

Patnaik said that AI can be the future of cyber security because it can mimic human behaviour and speed up the process of containing and identifying threats.

However, he warned that both cybercriminals and cyber defenders will have access to AI, which could make the threat landscape more complex.

Kohli pointed out that the banking sector spends $1 trillion every year on cyber security, but it will still face challenges.

He said that voice banking, which has been a boon to senior citizens and visually challenged people, could be exploited by scammers who use AI to clone voices.

While AI mimics human intelligence to a certain extent, it functions exclusively based on the data it’s provided and the algorithms it follows.

Patnaik highlights that if this data becomes compromised, deliberately tainted, or manipulated, it could critically impact the functionality of AI systems.

Such interference could create disruptions, ultimately rendering them vulnerable to exploitation by hackers, thereby exacerbating the risk of data breaches and security breaches.

Opportunities AI can provide

Patnaik and Kholi explain, “In the realm of cybersecurity, AI algorithms play a critical role in analyzing vast data volumes to discern patterns indicative of cyber threats.

By automating threat detection and prevention, organizations can fortify their security stance and swiftly respond to emerging dangers.

Additionally, AI’s capabilities extend to automating incident response procedures, swiftly identifying attack origins, and minimizing their impact.

Furthermore, AI-driven fraud detection is invaluable, spotlighting fraudulent activities like phishing and social engineering by scrutinizing user behaviour and identifying anomalies.”