A cybersecurity expert, Moyosore Kukoyi, has said that as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes the cybersecurity landscape, businesses and organisations must adapt to both the benefits and risks associated with it in security operations.

Kukoyi said that one of the challenges in cybersecurity is the global talent shortage; he said there aren’t enough skilled professionals to handle increasing cyber threats.

He said that, though, AI helps bridge the gap by automating security tasks, allowing businesses to maintain strong defenses with fewer human resources.

Kukoyi, a cybersecurity expert with extensive experience in digital security strategies and emerging technologies, said AI is now being used by cybercriminals to automate and scale attacks, making them faster, harder to detect, and more adaptive.

He remarked that AI-powered malware can modify itself in real-time to bypass security systems, while deepfake technology is being used in social engineering attacks to impersonate trusted individuals.

He held that in the past, cyberattacks often required significant human effort, but with AI, attackers can launch highly sophisticated, automated attacks with minimal expertise.

When asked about how AI is shaping cybersecurity defense strategies, he said: “AI is revolutionizing threat detection and response in several key ways, including Automated Threat Detection, with AI-driven security solutions analyzing massive datasets in real-time to detect anomalies and potential attacks before they happen.

“In Incident Response Automation, AI-powered security systems can contain and neutralize threats within seconds, reducing the need for large security teams.

“AI can study user behaviors and detect suspicious deviations that may indicate a cyberattack and Enhanced Security Operations Centers (SOCs): AI is helping security teams prioritise alerts, correlate security events, and improve threat intelligence.

When asked on how businesses, especially in developing regions, afford AI-powered cybersecurity, he said: “This is a major concern. While large corporations have the budget for AI security, many businesses cannot afford high-end AI-driven tools. This is why we need a global push toward affordable AI-powered security solutions. Governments, cybersecurity firms, and policymakers must work together to make AI security accessible to all, not just enterprises with big budgets. Security should not be a luxury.

On the barriers preventing businesses from adopting AI-driven cybersecurity, he said: “There are three main barriers: High Costs: Many AI security solutions are expensive, making adoption difficult for small businesses, lack of expertise where organisations may not have the in-house knowledge to deploy and manage AI security tools effectively and trust in AI decisions. He said some security professionals hesitate to fully rely on AI-driven security decisions, fearing false positives or system errors.
However, the long-term benefits of proactive threat prevention, reduced response times, and improved cybersecurity resilience far outweigh the challenges.

“Companies should invest in AI-powered security tools with predictive analytics and automated response capabilities, train employees on AI-enhanced security awareness to prevent human-related vulnerabilities, collaborate with cybersecurity experts to integrate AI into their security strategies, and adopt a proactive cybersecurity mindset by continuously updating security policies and technologies.

“AI is not just an innovation; it is now a necessity in cybersecurity. Businesses that fail to integrate AI-powered security solutions risk falling behind in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape. At the same time, AI must be made more accessible so that security is not just for large enterprises but for small businesses and organisations across all regions. As AI-driven cyber threats evolve, businesses and governments must work together to ensure that AI enhances security rather than becoming an unmanageable risk.

“Artificial intelligence is both a threat and an opportunity in cybersecurity. While AI is making cyberattacks more sophisticated, it is also helping businesses automate security, reduce operational costs, and bridge the talent gap. The key challenge now is to ensure that AI security solutions are accessible, affordable, and effective for organisations of all sizes. As AI continues to reshape cybersecurity, businesses that embrace AI-driven security solutions will lead the way in digital resilience.”