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Business Post
a day ago
- Business
- Business Post
Balancing AI innovation with security
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud and cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) is both a powerful enabler and a formidable challenge. While AI has long been a quiet force in the backend of security operations, its increasingly agentic and public-facing applications are poised to reshape how organisations defend their digital assets. Günter Bayer, chief information officer, at Stryve, said it was important to understand the dual nature of AI in security: its transformative potential in bolstering defences and the critical imperative of securely integrating AI into business operations. The key insight: while AI revolutionises cyber defences, businesses must abandon no-cost tools that compromise data security and invest in enterprise-grade solutions to maintain control over their digital assets. For years, AI has been an unsung hero in the security world, operating behind the scenes to enhance existing tools, Bayer said. 'AI has been around in the security space in the back end for a while, but it is still human-assisted. For example, we have used a filtering service for over ten years, and it has AI built into the backend,' he said. This human-assisted AI has underpinned foundational security services like advanced filtering, where intelligent algorithms analyse vast amounts of data to identify and block threats. Such AI-powered services have become instrumental in protecting organisations from malicious content and unauthorised access for over a decade. The quiet efficiency of these backend AI systems has allowed security professionals to operate more effectively, sifting through noise to pinpoint genuine threats. This evolution signifies a shift from reactive, signature-based detection to proactive, predictive threat intelligence, where AI's ability to discern patterns and anomalies is paramount. Agentic AI revolution The current wave of AI integration is markedly different. We are now witnessing an explosion of so-called agentic AI applications, where AI models are increasingly interactive and directly accessible to users. This shift, while promising, introduces new complexities. As AI models become more refined and adaptable, their potential to revolutionise security operations grows exponentially. AI-driven systems can analyse colossal datasets, identify emerging attack vectors, automate threat responses, and even predict potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Imagine AI autonomously patching known exploits, detecting sophisticated phishing attempts by analysing behavioural anomalies, or orchestrating a comprehensive response to a cyberattack in real-time. This future, where AI functions as a hyper-efficient digital guardian, is rapidly approaching. This transformative power comes with a significant caveat: the imperative to securely leverage AI. As Bayer states, 'in the cloud world, in relation to the people's data, it's always your responsibility; it doesn't matter who you are hosting with, AWS or Azure or whomever.' This fundamental principle of data sovereignty and responsibility remains unchanged, even with the advent of advanced AI. Hidden cost of free AI The burgeoning trend of individuals and businesses leveraging 'free' AI services presents a particularly thorny security issue. 'What does free mean,' Bayer said. 'All it means is you don't pay with money. You do pay some other way, though, and that's not great. If you are in business, you should just pay.' Recent incidents underscore this danger. One noted AI, despite robust security measures, recently faced a vulnerability where specific prompting could lead to data exfiltration. This highlights that even well-designed AI systems can be exploited if not used with extreme caution. Programmers are one group susceptible to these risks, Bayer said. The temptation to input production code into free AI services for rapid debugging or code generation is high. However, this shortcut can inadvertently expose proprietary algorithms, trade secrets, or even critical vulnerabilities to third parties. AI has been around in the security space in the back end for a while, but it is still human-assisted 'I know AI is helping programmers a lot but, many of them, they just want a quick fix, so they're putting production code into free services,' he said. Furthermore, malicious actors are increasingly adept at 'bypassing the guardrails' of AI models, using clever prompts and techniques to extract sensitive information or generate harmful content. This 'prompt injection' and data mining by unauthorised parties represent a significant threat that organisations must actively mitigate. Bayer's view on this is unequivocal: 'Don't use any free service. If you're a business, pay for it. If you want, say, Copilot, then pay for your own instance.' This advice is not about stifling innovation but about exercising due diligence and prioritising robust security. For businesses, investing in enterprise-grade, paid AI solutions that offer dedicated instances, robust data privacy controls, and clear service level agreements is paramount. This ensures that data remains within a controlled environment and that the responsibility for its security is clearly defined. While AI tools offer immense benefits in productivity and efficiency, their integration must be approached strategically: balancing innovation with unwavering security principles. Today, AI's role in cybersecurity is at a crossroads. Its power to enhance defences, automate responses, and predict threats is undeniable. However, the secure adoption of AI across organisations is not merely a technical challenge but also a cultural and strategic one. By embracing AI with a clear understanding of its risks and a commitment to secure implementation, businesses can harness its transformative power to build resilient and future-proof cyber defences.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stryve Foods initiates review of 'strategic alternatives'
US-based meat snacks producer Stryve Foods has commenced a formal review of 'strategic alternatives' to drive growth. In a statement yesterday (29 April), the company said it is exploring a range of strategic options to raise capital in line with 'accelerating' demand growth and to maximise shareholder value. 'Potential outcomes of this process may include, but are not limited to, a strategic investment, a business combination, a sale of the company or its assets, or other potential transactions,' the statement read. The snacks maker said no timetable has been set for the conclusion of the process, adding it does not plan to provide further updates unless a 'specific course of action' is approved by the board of directors or otherwise required by law. Over the past two years, Stryve said it has made 'significant progress in transforming its operations and driving demand' for its offerings. It has reported improvements in overall business performance and cut its in losses "considerably". In light of ongoing capital constraints, the company has been actively working to raise funds to support 'sustainable growth'. Stryve Foods CEO Chris Boever said: 'It is imperative that we secure the working capital necessary for us to meet customer needs and to put us in position to achieve our near-term profitability plan. 'As we continue to execute on our strategy, we are exploring opportunities to further strengthen our financial position, satisfy our immediate working capital needs, and accelerate growth." Boever added that the business is "exploring all viable options to position the company for long-term success and maximise value for our shareholders and stakeholders'. There is no assurance the strategic review will result in any specific transaction or outcome, the company said. Stryve Foods offers air-dried meat snacks marketed under the brand names Stryve, Kalahari, Braaitime and Vacadillos. The company also produces 'human-grade' pet treats under the brands Two Tails and High Steaks. It distributes its products across major retail channels in North America, including grocery and convenience stores, mass merchants, and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Walmart. In October, Stryve Foods partnered with redistributor Dot Foods, aiming to boost the sales of its meat snacks in the US market. The company appointed former PepsiCo senior executive Kevin Vivian as its board chairman in July. "Stryve Foods initiates review of 'strategic alternatives'" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
