MCSI #030 - The impact of AI on cybersecurity jobs

Who's going to lose their jobs because of AI?

Millions of dollars are being invested in developing AI systems designed to replace junior cybersecurity professionals. In the next 3 to 5 years, roles such as junior SOC analysts may become obsolete as AI takes over tasks like triaging alerts and conducting basic research, leading to full automation of these functions.

Don’t believe me? Check out the start-up Culminate Security:

Image 1 - An AI start-up that wants to replace Level 1 SOC Analysts

Traditional Cyber Education Is Obsolete

Most cybersecurity degrees and certifications are already outdated and fail to meet employers' needs. As AI begins to replace a significant number of junior roles, these courses will become entirely obsolete. Why invest time and money in learning skills that AI can and will perform more efficiently and cost-effectively?

Here’s a list of tasks currently done by juniors, which will soon be entirely done by AI:

• Automatically sorting and prioritizing security alerts to identify genuine threats

• Conducting automated scans to identify potential vulnerabilities in systems and networks

• Identifying and blocking phishing emails and malicious links

• Automating the provisioning and de-provisioning of user access to systems and data

• Conducting automated audits to ensure security policies and controls are in place and effective

If you're considering pursuing cybersecurity classes or certifications, ask yourself if the skills you’ll acquire will remain relevant in a world where AI automates tasks traditionally performed by junior professionals.

The Opportunity You Need to Capture

“People don't enter the cybersecurity field to perform mundane, repetitive tasks. They join to engage in meaningful work that matters—work that provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. They seek opportunities that involve critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Let AI handle the monotonous tasks, so cybersecurity professionals can focus on the exceptional work that truly makes a difference.” - Benjamin Mossé

Personally, I believe it's fantastic that AI will soon handle all the repetitive, mundane tasks. I look forward to a time when we no longer have to spend our efforts on these activities. Instead, we should focus on honing our critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Moreover, I don't think it's important to have certifications that test the memorization of concepts and terminology—AI will manage those aspects for us.

If you want to advance your cybersecurity career in 2024 and beyond, here are key areas to focus on:

1. Project Management: Can you successfully deliver a project on time and within budget?

2. Problem Solving: Can you collaborate with other people to tackle critical issues effectively?

3. Critical Thinking: Can you analyze and evaluate situations to maximize the business value of a project?

4. Communication: Can you clearly articulate your ideas and findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders?

5. Interpersonal Skills: Can you build and maintain positive, productive relationships with colleagues and clients?

By honing these skills, you'll be well-equipped to thrive in world with AI.

How Is MCSI Adapting to New AI Capabilities?

At MCSI, we are passionate about AI. We use GPT and other advanced tools daily and encourage our users to master these technologies as well. We believe that universities and other institutions that fail to fully embrace AI will be left behind.

We recognize the significant impact AI has had on our users. Tasks that were once challenging became manageable with the introduction of GPT, enabling users to complete exercises they previously struggled with.

A key strength of our platform is our ability to quickly and efficiently update our exercises. We are currently undertaking a comprehensive catalog update to reinvent our exercises, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Additionally, we require students to write reports, briefings, and presentations, as we believe these skills are essential for modern cybersecurity professionals.

Here’s a snippet of one of our threat intelligence exercise:

Image 2 - Leverage Threat Intelligence To Generate A List Of Hypotheses To Be Tested By A Red Team

Notice how we have our students work with recent industry threat reports. They analyze these reports and apply critical thinking to develop testing hypotheses for designing a Red Team engagement. Finally, they must write a detailed report explaining each hypothesis and providing supporting documentation. This type of high-value work is essential for human analysts to master in 2024.

Here’s a testimonial we received this week:

If you haven’t already, browse our list of courses and pick one that interests you.