Why Smart Companies Are Letting AI Handle the Tedious Work in Cybersecurity

Introduction: Let the Calculator Do the Math

Most of us were told at some point, "You won’t always have a calculator with you!" And yet, here we are, with one in our pocket every day.

It’s a perfect analogy for the evolution of cybersecurity.

Why waste human time on tasks machines can do faster and more accurately? Just like calculators changed how we approach math, AI and ML are changing how we approach cybersecurity.

Instead of relying on human teams to manage endless alerts, scan logs, or manually test systems, smart organizations are offloading those tasks to intelligent automation, freeing up their people to focus on what actually matters.

Let’s dive into how modern security providers are using AI-driven tools to stay ahead of threats and improve both efficiency and outcomes.

Autonomous Penetration Testing: Speed, Scale, and Smarter Vulnerability Detection

Traditional pen testing is important but time-consuming and expensive. It often requires specialized teams and only provides a snapshot of your security posture.

Enter autonomous penetration testing.

What It Is:
AI-powered autonomous penetration testing uses machine learning models to:

• Simulate attacks
• Discover vulnerabilities
• Continuously test environments in real time

Benefits:

• Adaptability: ML models learn new attack methods as they emerge
• Scalability: Test more systems with fewer human resources
• Speed: Identify and remediate vulnerabilities faster than manual testing

One of our cybersecurity partners, Thrive, is leveraging autonomous pen testing to help clients respond to risks proactively, before attackers find them.

SOAR: Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response

Think of SOAR as your security team’s autopilot. It doesn’t replace your analysts, it makes them faster, more informed, and less overwhelmed.

How SOAR Works:

• Collects threat data from multiple tools
• Automates response workflows through playbooks
• Reduces alert fatigue by filtering and prioritizing incidents

Key Benefits:

• Faster response time to threats
• Less human error from repetitive tasks
• Better incident visibility and team collaboration
• Case management and reporting all in one platform

SOAR vs. SIEM: What’s the Difference?

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Focuses on detection, log collection, and alerting
• SOAR: Focuses on response, automation, and workflow coordination

The real power? Combining SOAR and SIEM into a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) strategy. Providers like Trustwave, AgileBlue, and Thrive are doing this today. CloudNow Consulting can help you evaluate which one fits your organization best.

AI-Driven Anomaly Detection: Stop Lateral Movement Before It Spreads

Attackers rarely walk through the front door. They find one weak point, then move laterally across systems to reach sensitive data.

Detecting this movement early is key, but it's hard to spot with traditional tools.

Akamai’s Advanced Use Case:
One of our partners, Akamai, is using AI to build dynamic, evolving graphs of asset communication within a network. Over time, the system learns:

• What “normal” communication looks like
• What’s considered an anomalous connection or anomalous neighbor
• When an asset starts behaving like it’s been compromised

Why It Matters:

• Prevents stealthy internal attacks
• Spots infected assets before they spread
• Detects insider threats and zero-day exploits

Traditional detection methods were static. Now, machine learning allows for ongoing learning and real-time adaptation, a critical evolution for modern networks.

CloudNow’s Role in the Cybersecurity Ecosystem

With so many tools and providers in the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

• Which stack protects against the right types of threats?
• How do you avoid overlap or under coverage?
• What fits with your business goals and existing systems?

At CloudNow Consulting, we specialize in helping organizations answer these questions. We:

• Understand your business and technology priorities
• Identify coverage gaps and integration challenges
• Recommend the right vendor solutions for your environment

Whether you’re evaluating SOAR, exploring MDR, or just need clarity on where to start, we’re here to help.

📩 Let’s Talk: Reach out via LinkedIn or our contact page to schedule a consultation.

Final Thoughts: Why People Shouldn’t Do What AI Does Better

Cybersecurity isn’t about doing everything manually. It’s about applying expertise where it counts.

Let AI handle the heavy lifting—log reviews, vulnerability testing, alert filtering—so your team can focus on high-impact work: threat strategy, decision-making, and leadership.

Just like calculators didn’t kill math, AI won’t kill cybersecurity jobs, but it will change them for the better.

FAQs: AI and Automation in Cybersecurity

Q1: Can autonomous penetration testing replace traditional pen testing?
No, but it complements it. Autonomous tools can provide continuous testing at scale, while human testers are still vital for targeted, complex assessments.

Q2: What’s the biggest benefit of SOAR for contact centers and security teams?
SOAR reduces time to respond, standardizes incident handling, and gives teams space to focus on strategic tasks, not reactive firefighting.

Q3: How can anomaly detection help prevent insider threats?
By mapping and learning normal user behavior, anomaly detection systems can flag unusual activity early, often before it results in a breach.

Ready to Let AI Handle the Tedious Stuff?

At CloudNow Consulting, we guide businesses through the evolving world of AI-powered cybersecurity. From vendor selection to full implementation support, our process is tailored to your needs.

🔒 Contact us today and take the first step toward smarter, more scalable security.

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