Tenable has published a new study revealing significant insights into the adoption and challenges of generative AI (GenAI) among Indian organizations. The study indicates a solid intention to embrace GenAI to enhance security measures and align IT objectives with broader business goals. It also highlights substantial obstacles that organizations face in this endeavour.

Key Findings

The study reveals that 73% of organizations in India plan to harness generative AI within the next 12 months. This surge in adoption is driven by GenAI's potential to enhance security measures and align IT objectives with business goals. However, a significant confidence gap is evident, with only 8% of organizations expressing high confidence in implementing GenAI technologies effectively.

Challenges in Implementation

Two primary challenges are identified as barriers to the effective use and optimization of AI technologies:

• Lack of Technological Maturity: 71% of respondents cite this as a significant hurdle. Many Indian businesses are still developing technology maturity and often lack the resources or skills to properly create, train, and implement AI.
• Uncertainty About Applicability: 54% of organizations are still determining how AI can be applied within their operations. This uncertainty reflects a broader issue of understanding and integrating AI into existing business processes.

Expert Insights

Nigel Ng, Senior Vice President at Tenable APJ, notes that despite the rise of AI, many Indian businesses face challenges related to technological maturity and resource availability. The increasing use of cloud services, virtualization platforms, microservices, applications, and code libraries introduces additional vulnerabilities and risks. These factors compel security professionals in India to explore the best ways to leverage AI for preventive security efforts.

Study Details

The data is drawn from the Indian edition of “How to Discover, Analyse and Respond to Threats Faster with Generative AI,” a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Tenable. This study, conducted in October 2023, involved 826 IT and cybersecurity professionals, including 52 Indian respondents. It sheds light on the growing adoption of GenAI within Indian businesses, marking a significant pivot in their strategic focus.

Security Concerns

The study highlights a hopeful anticipation among security leaders regarding GenAI's capacity to enhance security measures. However, it also underscores the intricate nature of AI integration, balancing innovation with potential risks. Notably, 40% of Indian organizations perceive GenAI as a more significant security threat than an opportunity, reflecting widespread apprehension regarding cybersecurity risks associated with its implementation. Internal misuse of GenAI is a prominent concern, with 67% of respondents worried about potential misuse within their organizations. Additionally, 60% express concern about the risks of intellectual property theft when providing sensitive data to open-source GenAI systems.

Optimism Amid Challenges

Despite the significant challenges, cybersecurity and IT leaders in India remain optimistic about the potential benefits of generative AI. They see opportunities for improvement in several key areas:

• 31% believe GenAI can enhance preventive threat response.
• 42% think it can automate security measures.
• 40% feel it can improve actionability.

Importance of Data Quality

The effectiveness of AI is contingent on the quality of the data it is trained on. Acknowledging this, 73% of Indian organizations agree or strongly agree that the success of generative AI heavily relies on the data used to fuel it.

Future Prospects

Nigel Ng emphasizes that while generative AI is used predominantly to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, its future holds great promise for preventive cybersecurity measures. This shift towards merging IT and security objectives prioritizes AI governance and using the technology responsibly.

Strategic Focus Areas

To harness the full potential of AI, organizations are focusing on:

• Training and Upskilling: 63% are investing in training and upskilling cybersecurity professionals.
• Automated Reporting and Alerting: 46% are implementing automated systems.
• Fraud Detection: 46% are improving their fraud detection capabilities.

Conclusion

The Tenable study reveals a significant intention among Indian organizations to adopt generative AI, driven by its potential to enhance security and align IT objectives with business goals. However, challenges related to technological maturity and applicability and concerns about security risks highlight the need for a balanced and strategic approach to AI integration. With optimism and a focus on training, data quality, and responsible AI governance, Indian organizations are poised to navigate these challenges and harness the transformative potential of generative AI.

Source: Tenable

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