Elevating your cyber security posture with AI PCs

This blog delves into their insights, offering a closer look at the ways new AI PCs running Windows 11 are strengthening defences and protecting against the latest cyber threats.

Insights from Diana Valencia (Dell) and Francesco Scaccianoce (Dell)

In a recent discussion in Milan with Francesco and Diana from Dell Technologies, we explored how AI-powered PCs are transforming the security landscape. This blog delves into their insights, offering a closer look at the ways new AI PCs running Windows 11 are strengthening defences and protecting against the latest cyber threats. Access the Modernize your Workplace webinar series here.

The Rising Threat of AI in Cybersecurity

As AI continues to advance, its use extends beyond just improving efficiency or solving complex problems—unfortunately, it’s also being used by cybercriminals. Francesco shared a chilling example from Italy, where criminals employed an AI-generated voice to impersonate the country’s Minister of Defence in an attempt to trick victims into paying a ransom to free kidnapped journalists. This highlights the growing concern of AI being leveraged for nefarious purposes, including scams, ransomware, and other forms of digital crime.

In response to this escalating threat, frameworks like MITRE ATLAS (Adversarial Threat Landscape for AI Systems) have been developed to help organizations understand and mitigate AI-specific security risks. ATLAS provides a comprehensive database of tactics and techniques used by bad actors, enabling organizations to identify vulnerabilities and reinforce their defenses.

How AI PCs Are Changing the Game

When it comes to defending against AI-driven threats, one of the most powerful tools is AI itself. Dell, in collaboration with Intel®, has developed AI-powered PCs that are specifically designed to protect against a wide range of cyberattacks. These PCs are built to detect threats at the silicon level, thanks to Intel’s Threat Detection Technology, which is integrated directly into the hardware. This provides a layer of protection that goes beyond traditional software-based solutions.

The integration of AI into PCs allows for real-time threat detection and mitigation without compromising performance. AI tasks, such as identifying malware or ransomware, are offloaded to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or NPU (Neural Processing Unit), ensuring that security checks are conducted seamlessly without slowing down the system.

Key Features of Dell’s AI-Powered Security Solutions

Dell’s approach to AI-powered security is multifaceted, incorporating both hardware and software innovations to deliver robust protection. Let’s break down some of the key features:

1. AI-Driven Threat Detection: With the ability to detect threats in real time, AI PCs can identify ransomware, crypto-jacking, and other types of malware before they have a chance to do damage. This is thanks to Intel’s Threat Detection Technology, which is capable of spotting even the most sophisticated attacks, including fileless ones that reside only in system memory.
2. Endpoint Data Loss Prevention: One of the biggest risks organizations face comes from their own employees. For example, by running the Proofpoint app on a modern Dell commercial PC, the small language model detects when employees might be sharing sensitive information, such as entering data into a public chatbot or sending it to external email addresses. This provides an extra layer of protection against accidental data leaks.
3. Secure Workspace: With the rise of deepfake technology and manipulated media, it’s crucial to ensure the integrity of the content we interact with. Dell AI PCs leverage ISVs like McAfee, which offers a browser plugin for detecting deepfakes and ensuring that the audio and video you’re consuming haven’t been tampered with by malicious actors.
4. Zero Trust Security: Dell’s commercial PCs integrate multiple layers of security, including Zero Trust This means that every device, user, and network request is continuously verified before granting access. This approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access or insider threats.

Real-World Examples:

Deloitte, one of the world’s leading consulting firms, provides a great example of an organization leveraging AI PCs to secure its operations. The company implemented a solution where its developers could run Code Llama-7B, a powerful AI application, directly on their Dell AI PCs. The key advantage here is that all data remains on the device, ensuring that sensitive intellectual property never leaves the company’s network. This solution also includes biometric security features, such as facial recognition and anomaly detection, to further protect sensitive information.

Managed Detection and Response Services

While adopting Dell AI PCs is a great first step, managing and responding to threats in real time is just as crucial. That’s where Dell’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service comes into play. This service provides continuous monitoring and threat response across endpoints, networks, and the cloud, ensuring that any potential security incidents are swiftly addressed.

Dell MDR manages an average of 200,000 threat alerts per customer each year, helping organizations stay on top of potential threats. What’s more impressive is that less than 4% of MDR customers experience breaches, and the incident response services provided typically resolve issues without additional costs.

The Future of AI-Powered Security

As AI continues to evolve, so too will the methods used by cybercriminals. However, the integration of AI into security technologies, particularly AI-powered PCs, provides organizations with the tools they need to stay ahead of the curve. With Intel vPro, Dell AI PCs, and a variety of software integrations, businesses can rest assured that they’re equipped with the most advanced security solutions available.

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