Page 313«..1020..312313314315..320330..»

WatchGuard Report: 55% of Malware Attacks in Q4 2023 Were Encrypted, a 7% Rise from Q3 – The Fast Mode

WatchGuard Technologies on Wednesday announced the findings of its latest Internet Security Report, detailing the top malware trends and network and endpoint security threats analyzed by WatchGuard Threat Lab researchers. Key findings from the data show a dramatic surge in evasive malware that fueled a large increase of total malware, threat actors targeting on-premises email servers as prime targets to exploit, and ransomware detections continuing to decline, potentially as a result of law enforcements international takedown efforts of ransomware extortion groups.

Among the key findings, the latest Internet Security Report featuring data from Q4 2023 showed:

Consistent with WatchGuards Unified Security Platform approach and the WatchGuard Threat Labs previous quarterly research updates, the data analyzed in this quarterly report is based on anonymized, aggregated threat intelligence from active WatchGuard network and endpoint products whose owners have opted to share in direct support of WatchGuards research efforts.

For a more in-depth view of WatchGuards research, download the complete Q4 2023 Internet Security Report here: https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-resource-center/security-report-q4-2023

Corey Nachreiner, chief security officer at WatchGuard

The Threat Labs latest research shows threat actors are employing various techniques as they look for vulnerabilities to target, including in older software and systems, which is why organizations must adopt a defense-in-depth approach to protect against such threats. Updating the systems and software on which organizations rely is a vital step toward addressing these vulnerabilities. Additionally, modern security platforms that are operated by managed service providers can deliver the comprehensive, unified security that organizations need and enable them to combat the latest threats.

See the rest here:
WatchGuard Report: 55% of Malware Attacks in Q4 2023 Were Encrypted, a 7% Rise from Q3 - The Fast Mode

Read More..

Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: ETH Zurich Innovates with Static Fields in Ion Trapping – yTech

ETH Zurichs recent foray into the realm of ion trapping has yielded promising advancements for quantum computing. A team of researchers at the esteemed institution has developed a method for trapping ions that could potentially enable the creation of quantum computers with greater numbers of qubits than currently possible. Utilizing static electric and magnetic fields, the group has taken quantum operations a step further, signaling a leap forward in computing capabilities.

**Summary:** Researchers at ETH Zurich have made a significant stride in quantum computing by devising an ion trapping technique that employs static electric and magnetic fields. This novel approach, utilizing Penning traps on a microfabricated chip, allows for arbitrary ion transport and offers a scalable solution that promises to increase the number of qubits in quantum computers considerably.

Quantum computer scientists are working tirelessly to overcome the limitations imposed by traditional oscillating field ion traps, such as the Paul trap, which restricts ions to linear motion and complicates the integration of multiple traps on a single chip. By means of steady fields, the ETH teams Penning traps have unlocked new potentials for maneuvering ions in two dimensions without the constraints of oscillating fields, offering a boon for future quantum computing applications.

The ETH researchers, led by Jonathan Home, have reimagined the ion trap architecture, traditionally used in precision experiments, to suit the demands of quantum computing. Despite encountering initial skepticism, the team constructed an advanced Penning trap that incorporated a superconducting magnet producing a field strength of 3 Tesla. They effectively implemented precise control over the ions energy states, proving their methods viability for quantum computation.

The trapped ions ability to stay put for several days within this new system has marked a remarkable achievement. This stable trapping environment, free from oscillating fields and external disturbances, allowed the researchers to maintain quantum mechanical superpositions essential for operations in quantum computers.

Looking ahead, the ETH group aims to harness these innovations for multi-qubit operations by trapping two ions in adjacent Penning traps on the same chip. This ambitious endeavor would illustrate the practicality of large-scale quantum computers using static field ion traps, potentially leading to more powerful computing technologies than any seen before.

The research at ETH Zurich represents an exciting development in the field of quantum computing, an industry that is expected to revolutionize the world of computing as we know it. With the progress made in ion trapping techniques, the scalability of quantum computers could rise precipitously, culminating in machines far exceeding the capabilities of todays supercomputers.

Industry Background: Quantum computing harnesses the phenomena of quantum mechanics to perform computation. Unlike classical bits, quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in states of 0, 1, or any quantum superposition of these states. This allows quantum computers to solve certain problemslike factoring large numbers or running simulations of quantum materialsmuch faster than classical computers.

Market Forecasts: The quantum computing market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to industry analysis, the global market size, which was valued at several hundred million dollars, is expected to reach into the billions by the end of the decade, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) often cited in strong double digits. This growth is driven by increasing investments from both public and private sectors and advancements in quantum computing technologies.

Industry-Related Issues: There are several challenges that the quantum computing industry faces. One of the main hurdles is quantum decoherence, where the qubits lose their quantum state due to environmental interference, posing a significant issue for maintaining quantum superpositions. Another challenge involves error rates in quantum calculations that require complex error correction methods. Furthermore, the creation and maintenance of qubits are technically demanding and expensive, requiring precise control over the physical systems that host them, like ions or other particles.

The breakthrough by ETH Zurichs researchers addresses some of these challenges by using static fields, which can potentially improve the stability and coherence times of the qubits. This could lead to advancements in quantum error correction and enable the implementation of more complex quantum algorithms.

As the demand for quantum computing continues to rise, collaboration and investment in research and development are crucial. Successful implementation of quantum computers can impact various industries, including cryptography, materials science, pharmaceuticals, and finance. For those interested in the cutting-edge developments in this field, the following sources offer valuable insights:

IBM Quantum IBM is one of the companies at the forefront of quantum computing. They provide access to quantum computers through the cloud and are actively involved in advancing quantum computation technology.

D-Wave Systems Inc. D-Wave is known for developing quantum annealing-based computers, specializing in solving optimization and sampling problems.

Google Quantum AI Googles Quantum AI lab is working on developing quantum processors and novel quantum algorithms to help researchers and developers solve near-term problems across various sectors.

The innovations from the team at ETH Zurich are poised to contribute significantly to this burgeoning industry, potentially overcoming some of the critical challenges and pushing us closer to the realization of fully functional quantum computers.

Marcin Frckiewicz is a renowned author and blogger, specializing in satellite communication and artificial intelligence. His insightful articles delve into the intricacies of these fields, offering readers a deep understanding of complex technological concepts. His work is known for its clarity and thoroughness.

Follow this link:
Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: ETH Zurich Innovates with Static Fields in Ion Trapping - yTech

Read More..

Shaping the Future: South Carolina’s Quantum Computing Education Initiative – yTech

A summary of the new initiative by the South Carolina Quantum Association reveals the states forward-thinking investment in quantum computing expertise. South Carolina is funneling resources into a groundbreaking educational partnership aimed at equipping University of South Carolina students with real-world quantum computing skills. Backed by taxpayer dollars, this project is providing a platform for students to train on a cutting-edge quantum supercomputer, fostering their growth into in-demand tech professionals and invigorating local industries with innovative solutions.

In a significant development for South Carolinas aspiring quantum scientists, the states Quantum Association is collaborating with the University of South Carolina to offer an extraordinary educational experience. The venture is supported by a $20,000 research project fund and is already yielding promising outcomes.

Finance and computer science majors at the university are piloting a quantum computing project, enhancing investment strategies for a regional bank. The quantum computer, funded through a substantial $15 million state budget allocation and accessed remotely from the University of Maryland, serves as a cornerstone for the states burgeoning intellectual and industrial advancements.

The initiatives participants are already making waves on the national stage, having secured a top position at a notable MIT hackathon. With aspirations extending well into the investment sphere, these students are founding a hedge fund to apply their unique quantum computing insights.

South Carolinas project goes beyond mere technological enhancement. It aims to nurture top-tier talent through an expansive quantum computing curriculum and an online training platform, positioning the state to become a nexus of high-tech finance and industry professionals.

The global quantum computing industry is poised for exponential growth as this powerful technology promises to transform diverse sectors. The South Carolina initiative reflects a strategic movement to prepare for a future that demands advanced computational knowledge, amidst challenges like hardware stability and the need for specialists.

By marrying academic learning with practical application, South Carolinas initiative is setting the stage for building a proficient quantum workforce. This workforce would be adept at addressing industry challenges and leveraging the opportunities offered by this emergent technological field.

Industry and Market Forecasts

The quantum computing industry represents one of the most exciting frontiers in technology and science. As of my latest knowledge update in 2023, the industry is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. According to market research, the global quantum computing market is projected to reach billions of dollars by the end of this decade, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) that underscores its dynamic potential. This growth is fueled by increased investments from both public and private sectors, along with breakthroughs in quantum algorithms and hardware.

Companies across various industries, such as finance, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and aerospace, are exploring quantum computing to gain a competitive advantage. This technology holds the promise of solving complex problems that are currently intractable by classical computers, such as optimizing enormous data sets, modeling molecular interactions for drug discovery, and improving encryption methods.

Current Issues in Quantum Computing

One of the most significant issues facing the quantum computing industry is the stabilization of qubits, the basic units of quantum information. Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, through a phenomenon known as superposition. However, they are also highly susceptible to interference from their environment, which can lead to errors in computation. Overcoming this challenge, often referred to as quantum decoherence, is a key focus for researchers.

Another issue is the need for a highly specialized workforce, as quantum computing requires not just expertise in computer science but also in quantum mechanics. The intricacies of quantum algorithms and the underpinning physical principles necessitate a new breed of professionals who can bridge the gap between theory and practical application.

Moreover, the industry is also working on making quantum computing more accessible. Currently, only a handful of organizations have the resources to develop and maintain a quantum computer. However, the rise of quantum computing as a service (QCaaS) models has begun to democratize access to quantum resources, allowing more players to explore the potential of this technology.

South Carolinas Role in the Quantum Computing Ecosystem

South Carolinas initiative to invest in quantum computing education highlights the importance of building a smart workforce that can contribute to and benefit from this promising industry. With their practical projects, such as improving banking investment strategies through quantum computing, students are not only contributing to innovation but are also showcasing how these complex technologies can have real-world applications.

Such initiatives prepare a new generation to play an active role in the industry, ensuring that the U.S. remains at the forefront of technological advancements. For more information on related topics, you may consider visiting the website of professional organizations and industry leaders in quantum computing. Here are a couple of valid related links:

IBM Quantum Google Quantum AI

By promoting education and funding in quantum computing, South Carolina is positioning itself not only as a contributor to the global quantum revolution but also as a beneficiary of the quantum economy to come. It is an example of how regional initiatives can have significant outcomes in a rapidly evolving high-tech landscape.

Jerzy Lewandowski, a visionary in the realm of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, has made significant contributions to the field with his pioneering research and innovative designs. His work primarily focuses on enhancing user experience and interaction within virtual environments, pushing the boundaries of immersive technology. Lewandowskis groundbreaking projects have gained recognition for their ability to merge the digital and physical worlds, offering new possibilities in gaming, education, and professional training. His expertise and forward-thinking approach mark him as a key influencer in shaping the future of virtual and augmented reality applications.

View post:
Shaping the Future: South Carolina's Quantum Computing Education Initiative - yTech

Read More..

Could quantum computing be South Carolina’s next economic draw? This statewide initiative says yes – Columbia … – columbiabusinessreport.com

The future of cutting-edge computer technology in South Carolina is getting a huge boost from an initiative announced March 25.

The South Carolina Quantum Association has launched an effort to develop quantum computing technology and talent in the state through $15 million approved by the South Carolina legislature in the fiscal year 2023-24 budget, the states largest ever investment in a tech initiative, according to information from SCQA.

SC Quantum hopes to increase collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, industry and government to further the advancement of this technology in the Midlands and South Carolina in general, officials said.

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, and Joe Queenan, executive director of SC Quantum, announced the landmark project at an event held at the Boyd Innovation Center on Saluda Avenue in Columbias Five Points district.

Quantum computing is a concept that many people havent even heard of and one that is still in development. In a nutshell, its a computing system that uses the principles of quantum physics to simulate and solve problems that are difficult for traditional digital systems to manage, according to MITs Sloan School of Management. Quantum computing was first proposed in the 1980s and the first well known quantum algorithm emerged from MIT in the 1990s.

Unlike traditional computers which use binary electric signals, quantum computers use subatomic particles called qubits which can represent combinations of both ones and zeroes. Experts say the technology could be used to help scientists, businesses, economists and others to work through complex problems and find solutions in a more efficient way.

The funds will go toward education including workforce development, certificate and micro-credential programs, entrepreneurship support and engagement projects such as gatherings of experts and quantum demonstration projects.

Quantum is a new way of solving problems, and this initiative will allow us to build out a quantum-ready workforce able to solve important real-world problems with this cutting edge technology, Queenan said.

Queenan noted the importance of funding quantum development because massive efforts are already underway overseas. China has recently dedicated $15 billion to development of quantum technology, and the European Union is devoting $8 billion.

The U.S. government has named quantum an industry of the future on par with artificial intelligence and 5G, and committed more than $1.2 billion for quantum research and development budgets in 2022, according to information from SCQA.

Work in the quantum computing field is already underway at the University of South Carolina, where students recently came in third at a quantum competition held at MIT and others have recently developed a prototype quantum-based hedge fund, which is showing strong returns, Queenan said.

Mayor Rickenmann said the new initiative will help develop Columbias role as a technology research hub for the state.

This is the right project at the right time, he said. This is an investment in the intellectual capital of our city and state. I think were going to see a renaissance of intellectual development here in this community.

Sen. Harpootlian, who has lived in the Five Points area for more than 50 years, said the quantum initiative being launched from there is just the latest marker of the dramatic change that has transformed the neighborhood since he first moved to the area to attend law school in 1971.

I look back fondly on the days when this was a sleepy little village, of going to get breakfast at Gibsons and then a hot dog at Franks Hot Dogs, Harpootlian said, referencing two iconic eateries that were symbols of the areas previous incarnation, But those days are long gone and they arent coming back whats coming is much better. South Carolina Quantum is putting South Carolina ahead of the curve. Columbia could be a major hub of innovation for this technology that is rapidly growing in use across the globe.

See the rest here:
Could quantum computing be South Carolina's next economic draw? This statewide initiative says yes - Columbia ... - columbiabusinessreport.com

Read More..

Call for Participation in Workshop on Potential NSF CISE Quantum Initiative – HPCwire

Editors Note: Next month there will be a workshop to discuss what a quantum initiative led by NSFs Computer, Information Science and Engineering (CISE) directorate could entail. The details are posted below in a Call for Participation announcement. A key contact for interested quantum community members is Frank Mueller, N.C. State University.

Call for Participation: Planning Workshop on Quantum Computing (PlanQC 2024) April 28, 2024, https://www.asplos-conference.org/asplos2024/ in conjunction with: ACM International Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems (ASPLOS 2024) San Diego, CA (USA)

Funding for quantum computing has come from a variety of programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), which have been multi-disciplinary and cutting across multiple NSF divisions. However, no NSF quantum initiatives have been led by the Computer, Information

Science and Engineering (CISE) directorate within NSF. Undoubtedly, there is a surge in demand driven by open positions in academia and industry focused on the computing side of quantum. There is arguably a need for a focused program on quantum computing led by CISE in cooperation with other directorates to enable the next generation of quantum algorithms, quantum architectures, quantum communication, quantum systems, quantum software and compilers. The objective of this workshop is to identify areas of quantum computing in particular to enable new discoveries in quantum science and engineering, and to meaningly contribute to creating a Quantum computing ready workforce.

To articulate this need and to develop a plan for new CISE-led quantum program, we plan to bring several leading senior and some junior researchers in quantum computing together for a planning workshop complemented by selected ones beyond the CISE community to foster interdisciplinary interactions.

This workshop will lead to a comprehensive report that will provide a detailed assessment of the need for a new CISE program and will provide a description of the research areas that such a program should focus on. With such a new program, NSF would be able to focus its efforts on the computing aspects of quantum science and greatly enhance its ability to sustain the leadership role of the United States in this area of strategic interest. This workshop and report will be the first stepping stone in bootstrapping such a program.

Call for participation

We invite researchers both already active in quantum computing and those aspiring to become active to participate in a one day workshop, including some participants from the quantum application domains. The focus of the workshop will be to engage in discussions and summarize findings in writing to create a report on open quantum problems and motivate workforce development in the area. The workshop format will be alternating plenary and break-out sessions to provide a unifying vision while identifying research challenges in a diverse set of subareas.

Quantum Topics

Algorithms

Architectures

Communication

Compilers/Languages

Simulation

Software

Theory

Applications

Classical control and peripheral hardware

Workshop Chairs and Organizers

Frank Mueller North Carolina State University

Fred Chong University of Chicago

Vipin Chaudhary Case Western Reserve University

Samee Khan Mississippi State University

Gokul Ravi University of Michigan

Read the original post:
Call for Participation in Workshop on Potential NSF CISE Quantum Initiative - HPCwire

Read More..

AutoBNN: Probabilistic time series forecasting with compositional bayesian neural networks – Google Research

Posted by Urs Kster, Software Engineer, Google Research

Time series problems are ubiquitous, from forecasting weather and traffic patterns to understanding economic trends. Bayesian approaches start with an assumption about the data's patterns (prior probability), collecting evidence (e.g., new time series data), and continuously updating that assumption to form a posterior probability distribution. Traditional Bayesian approaches like Gaussian processes (GPs) and Structural Time Series are extensively used for modeling time series data, e.g., the commonly used Mauna Loa CO2 dataset. However, they often rely on domain experts to painstakingly select appropriate model components and may be computationally expensive. Alternatives such as neural networks lack interpretability, making it difficult to understand how they generate forecasts, and don't produce reliable confidence intervals.

To that end, we introduce AutoBNN, a new open-source package written in JAX. AutoBNN automates the discovery of interpretable time series forecasting models, provides high-quality uncertainty estimates, and scales effectively for use on large datasets. We describe how AutoBNN combines the interpretability of traditional probabilistic approaches with the scalability and flexibility of neural networks.

AutoBNN is based on a line of research that over the past decade has yielded improved predictive accuracy by modeling time series using GPs with learned kernel structures. The kernel function of a GP encodes assumptions about the function being modeled, such as the presence of trends, periodicity or noise. With learned GP kernels, the kernel function is defined compositionally: it is either a base kernel (such as Linear, Quadratic, Periodic, Matrn or ExponentiatedQuadratic) or a composite that combines two or more kernel functions using operators such as Addition, Multiplication, or ChangePoint. This compositional kernel structure serves two related purposes. First, it is simple enough that a user who is an expert about their data, but not necessarily about GPs, can construct a reasonable prior for their time series. Second, techniques like Sequential Monte Carlo can be used for discrete searches over small structures and can output interpretable results.

AutoBNN improves upon these ideas, replacing the GP with Bayesian neural networks (BNNs) while retaining the compositional kernel structure. A BNN is a neural network with a probability distribution over weights rather than a fixed set of weights. This induces a distribution over outputs, capturing uncertainty in the predictions. BNNs bring the following advantages over GPs: First, training large GPs is computationally expensive, and traditional training algorithms scale as the cube of the number of data points in the time series. In contrast, for a fixed width, training a BNN will often be approximately linear in the number of data points. Second, BNNs lend themselves better to GPU and TPU hardware acceleration than GP training operations. Third, compositional BNNs can be easily combined with traditional deep BNNs, which have the ability to do feature discovery. One could imagine "hybrid" architectures, in which users specify a top-level structure of Add(Linear, Periodic, Deep), and the deep BNN is left to learn the contributions from potentially high-dimensional covariate information.

How might one translate a GP with compositional kernels into a BNN then? A single layer neural network will typically converge to a GP as the number of neurons (or "width") goes to infinity. More recently, researchers have discovered a correspondence in the other direction many popular GP kernels (such as Matern, ExponentiatedQuadratic, Polynomial or Periodic) can be obtained as infinite-width BNNs with appropriately chosen activation functions and weight distributions. Furthermore, these BNNs remain close to the corresponding GP even when the width is very much less than infinite. For example, the figures below show the difference in the covariance between pairs of observations, and regression results of the true GPs and their corresponding width-10 neural network versions.

Finally, the translation is completed with BNN analogues of the Addition and Multiplication operators over GPs, and input warping to produce periodic kernels. BNN addition is straightforwardly given by adding the outputs of the component BNNs. BNN multiplication is achieved by multiplying the activations of the hidden layers of the BNNs and then applying a shared dense layer. We are therefore limited to only multiplying BNNs with the same hidden width.

The AutoBNN package is available within Tensorflow Probability. It is implemented in JAX and uses the flax.linen neural network library. It implements all of the base kernels and operators discussed so far (Linear, Quadratic, Matern, ExponentiatedQuadratic, Periodic, Addition, Multiplication) plus one new kernel and three new operators:

WeightedSum combines two or more BNNs with learnable mixing weights, where the learnable weights follow a Dirichlet prior. By default, a flat Dirichlet distribution with concentration 1.0 is used.

WeightedSums allow a "soft" version of structure discovery, i.e., training a linear combination of many possible models at once. In contrast to structure discovery with discrete structures, such as in AutoGP, this allows us to use standard gradient methods to learn structures, rather than using expensive discrete optimization. Instead of evaluating potential combinatorial structures in series, WeightedSum allows us to evaluate them in parallel.

To easily enable exploration, AutoBNN defines a number of model structures that contain either top-level or internal WeightedSums. The names of these models can be used as the first parameter in any of the estimator constructors, and include things like sum_of_stumps (the WeightedSum over all the base kernels) and sum_of_shallow (which adds all possible combinations of base kernels with all operators).

The figure below demonstrates the technique of structure discovery on the N374 (a time series of yearly financial data starting from 1949) from the M3 dataset. The six base structures were ExponentiatedQuadratic (which is the same as the Radial Basis Function kernel, or RBF for short), Matern, Linear, Quadratic, OneLayer and Periodic kernels. The figure shows the MAP estimates of their weights over an ensemble of 32 particles. All of the high likelihood particles gave a large weight to the Periodic component, low weights to Linear, Quadratic and OneLayer, and a large weight to either RBF or Matern.

By using WeightedSums as the inputs to other operators, it is possible to express rich combinatorial structures, while keeping models compact and the number of learnable weights small. As an example, we include the sum_of_products model (illustrated in the figure below) which first creates a pairwise product of two WeightedSums, and then a sum of the two products. By setting some of the weights to zero, we can create many different discrete structures. The total number of possible structures in this model is 216, since there are 16 base kernels that can be turned on or off. All these structures are explored implicitly by training just this one model.

We have found, however, that certain combinations of kernels (e.g., the product of Periodic and either the Matern or ExponentiatedQuadratic) lead to overfitting on many datasets. To prevent this, we have defined model classes like sum_of_safe_shallow that exclude such products when performing structure discovery with WeightedSums.

For training, AutoBNN provides AutoBnnMapEstimator and AutoBnnMCMCEstimator to perform MAP and MCMC inference, respectively. Either estimator can be combined with any of the six likelihood functions, including four based on normal distributions with different noise characteristics for continuous data and two based on the negative binomial distribution for count data.

To fit a model like in the figure above, all it takes is the following 10 lines of code, using the scikit-learninspired estimator interface:

AutoBNN provides a powerful and flexible framework for building sophisticated time series prediction models. By combining the strengths of BNNs and GPs with compositional kernels, AutoBNN opens a world of possibilities for understanding and forecasting complex data. We invite the community to try thecolab, and leverage this library to innovate and solve real-world challenges.

AutoBNN was written by Colin Carroll, Thomas Colthurst, Urs Kster and Srinivas Vasudevan. We would like to thank Kevin Murphy, Brian Patton and Feras Saad for their advice and feedback.

Read the original:
AutoBNN: Probabilistic time series forecasting with compositional bayesian neural networks - Google Research

Read More..

Revolutionizing heart disease prediction with quantum-enhanced machine learning | Scientific Reports – Nature.com

This section portrays the various ML techniques that have been employed by various academicians for effective heart disease diagnosis. The major reason to utilize the ML algorithm is that it is capable of detecting hidden patterns and can operate with large datasets to make predictions.

In13, Syed et al. were involved in developing SVM-based Heart Disease Diagnosis using the datasets Cleveland, Hungarian, Switzerland, and a combination of all of them (709 instances). Then, utilize the advantages of Mean Fisher Based Future Selection and Accuracy-based Feature selection algorithms for optimal feature selection. Further, the selected feature subset is refined through Principal Component Analysis. Finally, Radial Basis Function Kernel Based Support Vector Machine is applied over the reduced feature subset to categorize the heart disease patient from normal people. Their experimental result demonstrated that the proposed framework outperforms with an average accuracy rate of 85.3%. Youn-Jung et al.14 have chosen the SVM algorithm as it can handle high dimensionality problems to detect heart patients where data about patients are collected from University Hospital through a self-reported questionnaire and the experiment is carried out based on leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) and it was proven that SVM based classification is a promising approach with the highest detection accuracy of 77.63%. Ebenezer et al.15 have developed a mechanism based on Boosting SVM to enhance prediction accuracy by combining the results of all weak learners. For reducing misclassification, normalization, redundancy removal, and heat-map are applied over the given datasets. Upon applying heat-map, it identifies important factors such as age and maximum heart rates in predicting heart disease which further facilitates prediction. In this study, Cleveland datasets were used which contain 303 instances with 13 attributes. Through the experimental results, the performance of the Boosting SVM is compared with Logistic regression, Nave Bayes, decision trees, Multilayer Perceptron, and random forest. Out of which, the proposed Boosting SVM achieves greater accuracy of 99.75%.

Medhekar et al.16 were involved in developing a Nave Bayes Classifier (NBC) based Heart Disease Prediction System using the Cleveland dataset downloaded from the UCI repository to classify the patients into five categories viz. no, low, average, high, and very high to identify the severity level of disease. Then, System accuracy was calculated and the results are tabulated to evaluate the system performance through which it can be observed that the proposed NBC-based system could attain 88.96% of accuracy. Vembandasamy et al.18, proposed a framework to detect heart disease using NBC. The experiment is carried out by the WEKA tool over the datasets collected from a diabetic research institute in Chennai and the accuracy rate yielded by the system is about 86.4198%. The authors of17 presented an article for heart disease detection using NBC and could able to attain an accuracy rate of 80% which is comparably poor by performing prediction over the dataset collected from Mayapada Hospital which contains 60,589 records. Heart disease prediction using NBC is quite challenging since all the properties in NBC are required to be mutually independent15.

The authors of19,20,21 have employed the concept of neural networks in heart disease diagnosis to improve the accuracy further. In20, Firstly, Cleveland datasets were subjected to a Feature selection algorithm that uses information gain to remove the features which do not contribute to the disease prediction. Further, the ANN algorithm was applied over the reduced feature set for classification. This study dictated that the accuracy (89.56%) of the system with a reduced feature set (8 features) is slightly improved than the accuracy (88.46%) of the system with a full feature set (13 features). Miray et al.19 have presented an intelligent heart disease diagnosis method using a hybrid Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) where GA is used to optimize the parameters of ANN. Experimental results are obtained by using Cleveland data through which it is visible that the hybrid approach outperforms Naive Bayes, K- Nearest Neighbor, and C4.5 algorithms in terms of accuracy rate (95.82%), precision (98.11%), recall (94.55%) and F-measure (96.30%). Even NN model is good at generalizing data and capable of analyzing complex data to discover hidden patterns, many medical experts are dissatisfied with NN because of its black-box characteristics. That is, NN models get trained without knowing the relationship between input features and outputs. So, if many irrelevant features are used to train the NN model, it results in inaccurate prediction in testing. To address this challenge, Kim and Kang21 have employed two preprocessing steps before applying ANN. The first step is the feature selection step to select the features based on ranking. Then, feature correlation analysis is performed to make the system learns about the correlation between feature relations and NN output thereby eliminating the black-box nature. The overall experiment is performed on the Korean dataset containing 4146 records and resulted in a larger ROC curve with more accurate predictions. However, ANN could be suffered from data overfitting and temporal complexity and it may fail to converge when dimensionality is low.

As K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) is a simple and straightforward approach where samples are classified based on the class of nearest neighbors, the authors of22 have employed the KNN algorithm for classifying heart disease. Since medical datasets are larger, the Genetic algorithm was utilized to prune redundant and irrelevant features from 6 different medical datasets taken from the UCI repository to improve the prediction accuracy which is 6% greater than the accuracy rate achieved by the KNN algorithm without GA. Ketut et al.23 have proved that simple and fewer features are good enough to reduce misclassification, especially in heart disease prediction. In the experimental study, chi-square evaluation is done over the given Hungarian data set which contains 293 records with 76 parameters. But, in this paper, only 13 parameters were taken into consideration and after performing a chi-square evaluation, it results in 8 parameters as the most important parameters. Subsequently, KNN is executed with reduced feature set results with 81.85% of accuracy which is considerably greater than NBC, CART, and KNN with full feature set.

A heart disease prediction model using Decision Tree Algorithm (DT) has been implemented on UCI datasets24. The main aim of this paper is to reveal the importance of the pruning approach in DT which provides compact decision rules and accurate classification. The J48 DT algorithm is implemented with three types such as DT with pruning, un-pruning, and pruning with a reduced error rate. In this experiment, it shows fast blooding sugar is the most important attribute which yields greater accuracy (75.73%) than other attributes but, it is comparably very poor. The DT algorithm is simple, but it is capable of handling only categorical data and it is inappropriate for smaller datasets and datasets with missing values25.

In Research26, Logistic Regression (LR) is applied to UCI datasets to classify cardiac disease. Initially, data preprocessing is done to filter the missing values, and a feature selection process based on correlation is carried out to select the highly co-related features. Then given data is split into training and testing splits to perform classification by LR. From the tabulated results, it shows that LR increases the accuracy by 87.10% when increases the training size from 50 to 90%. Paria and Arezoo27 were involved in developing a regression-based heart attack prediction system. For this purpose, three regression models were made based on the variable selection algorithm and applied to the dataset with 28 features collected from Iran hospitals. The model that uses the following features such as severe chest pain, back pain, cold sweats, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting yielded a greater accuracy of 94.9% than that of the model using physical examination data and ECG data.

Yeshvendra et al.28 have employed Random Forest (RF) algorithm for heart disease prediction. In this paper, the Cleveland heart disease dataset was exploited which has non-linear dependency attributes. So, RF is considered the optimum solution for the non-linear dependent datasets and it produced good accuracy of 85.81% by making a bit of adjustment over the non-linear dataset. To reduce the overfitting problem, Javeed et al.29 have developed an Intelligent Heart Disease Diagnostic system that uses Random Search Algorithm (RSA) for feature selection from the Cleveland dataset and Random Forest (RF) model for heart disease prediction. Based on the experimental results, it is observed that RSA-based RF produced 93.33% accuracy using only 7 features which are 3.3% higher than the conventional RF. As the ensemble nature of RF is capable of producing high accuracy, handling missing and huge data, eliminating the need for tree pruning, and solving the problem of overfitting, authors of30 have employed RF to predict heart disease. In addition, chi-square and genetic algorithms were applied to select the prominent features from the heart disease data set collected from various corporate hospitals in Hyderabad. The performance of the proposed system is about 83.70% of accuracy which is considerably greater than the NBC, DT, and Neural Nets.

Jafar and Babak31 proposed an efficient and accurate system to diagnose heart disease. This research developed an ensemble classification model based on a feature selection approach. The heart disease dataset used by this research is downloaded from the UCI repository which contains 270 records with 13 useful variables. After selecting the prominent features, seven classifiers namely SVM, NBC, DT MLP, KNN, RF, and LR were used in ensemble learning to predict the disease. The final prediction over the given sample is done by combining the prediction result of all seven classifiers using the Stacked Ensemble method. An ensemble learning based on a genetic algorithm had shown the best performance and could lead to 97.57% accuracy, 96% sensitivity, and 97% specificity. Ensemble learning is a combination of multiple classifiers which improves the predictive performance by combining the output of individual classifiers. To identify the best ensemble method in heart disease detection from the heart Stalog dataset, Indu et al.32 developed an automatic disease diagnosis system based on three ensemble learners such as Random Forest, Boosting, and Bagging along with PSO-based feature subset selection method. The overall experiment is carried out using RStudio and the proposed system with the bagging approach yielded greater accuracy than the other approaches. The Table 1 summaries the major finding.

Automatic heart diagnostic systems that were developed using ML techniques were surveyed as heart disease is the major cause of human deaths in todays world, so an effective and accurate diagnosis system is to be developed to save human lives.

From the above study, it is observed that many researchers were interested in machine learning for heart disease diagnosis since it helps to reduce diagnosis time and increases accuracy.

From the study, every new approach competes with one another to win a greater accuracy rate.

Boosting-based SVM and an Ensemble of classifiers are being seen as the most promising methods that yielded the greater accuracy ever seen.

One algorithm may work well for one dataset while cannot work well for another dataset.

The accuracy of the system may rely on the quality of the datasets used.

Some datasets can have missing values, redundancies, and noises which makes data to be unsuitable. Such uncertainty can be resolved by applying data preprocessing techniques such as normalization, missing value imputation, etc.

Some datasets may have too many attributes which may threaten the performance of ML in accuracy and computational time. It can be improved by applying suitable feature selection strategies to perform prediction with the most informative features.

As machine learning algorithms predict the output by learning the relationship between input features and class labels based on classical theories of probability and logic, the accuracy rate is still on the lower side33,34. So, it requires a lot of improvements to have general acceptability for disease prediction. Another major issue in traditional machine learning algorithms is computation time. Since the computation time is increased with an increase in the size of the feature set. Therefore, the main aim of the paper is to enrich the performance of classical ML algorithms and make them outperform all the baselines in terms of Precision, Recall, F-Measures, and Computation Time35. It redirects the research toward quantum computing to create a pave to integrate quantum computing with ML approaches.

After having detailed observation from the recent articles36,37,38,39,40, quantum mechanics have shown excellent performance in various fields such as classification, disease prediction, object detection, and tracking and achieved remarkable performance over classical probability theory-based models. The basics of quantum computing, its essential features, and working are available in public domains, as a result, it cannot be explored further.

When compared with traditional machine learning algorithms, quantum Enhanced machine learning algorithms are capable of reducing training time, automatically adjusting the network hyper-parameters, performing complex matrix and tensor manipulation at high speeds, and use of quantum tunneling to achieve objective function goals. Integrating quantum computing and machine learning enables healthcare sectors to evaluate and treat complicated health disorders. Quantum computing uses the principle of quantum physics in which a single bit can be represented in both 0 and 1 which is known as qubits (Quantum Bits). Another salient feature of quantum computing is Superposition allows the particle to exist in multiple states at a time which provides tremendous power to handle massive amount of data, Entanglement occurs when pair of particles are generated which allows them to share spatial proximity or interact, Quantum tunneling enables computer to complete the task faster and Quantum gates work on collections of quantum sates to produce desired output. The first quantum computing device came into act in the year of 2000, so many researchers recently utilized quantum computing principle to analyze billions of diagnostic data with the help of artificial intelligence techniques. Quantum-enhanced machine learning assists physicians with earlier and more accurate health disease predictions. According to the report of41, the time spent on research and analyzing diagnostic data will decrease when quantum computing is integrated with healthcare systems.

With this motivation, the paper aims to implement Quantum Enhanced Machine Learning approaches for diagnosing heart diseases and it yields a remarkable accuracy rate and computation time shown in "Results and discussions" by simply replacing classical probability theory with quantum probability theory and it makes use of superposition state that provides a higher degree of freedom in decision making.

See more here:
Revolutionizing heart disease prediction with quantum-enhanced machine learning | Scientific Reports - Nature.com

Read More..

Integrated smart dust monitoring and prediction system for surface mine sites using IoT and machine learning … – Nature.com

In mining operations, the generation of dust is a frequent phenomenon, leading to the presence of airborne dust suspended in the mine atmosphere. This airborne dust primarily comprises mineral particles and, in the presence of moisture, gives rise to particulate matter, which consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid components. The size of these particles ranges from 10 to 2.5 , rendering them invisible to the naked eye. Inhalation of such particles can pose significant health hazards to workers, especially upon chronic exposure. Particulate matter is composed of a combination of organic and inorganic particles, including dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets, making it extremely hazardous to human respiratory health. Thus, monitoring the levels of particulate matter in mining sites is of utmost importance for ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. This monitoring plays a vital role in the prevention and prediction of health hazards associated with inhalation12.

Understanding particulate matter (PM) in mining environments is essential for recognizing its sources, characteristics, and the potential impact it poses in the mining context. PM originates from both natural and anthropogenic sources, encompassing sea salt, pollen, volcanic eruptions, airborne dust, and various industrial activities. Among industrial operations, mining significantly contributes to PM emissions due to processes such as drilling, blasting, transportation, and handling of materials. Drilling operations generate suspended airborne dust particles, while blasting releases particles and gas emissions, including NOx, which can pose health risks13. Additionally, open-pit coal mining contributes to elevated PM levels, facilitated by wind-driven dispersion of coal dust, necessitating the implementation of effective mitigation strategies to safeguard human health and the environment14.

Based on their formation mechanisms, PM is classified into various types, including dust, smoke, fumes, fly ash, mist, and spray (see Table 1). These different PM types exhibit distinct size ranges, with fine and ultrafine particles capable of reaching the alveoli in the respiratory system, while PM10-sized particles primarily settle in the upper airways. The percentage of inhaled airborne particles that enter the respiratory tract is represented by total inhalable dust15. Other measures, such as thoracic and respirable dust, refer to particles that pass through the larynx into the thoracic cavity and reach the gas exchange region of the lungs, respectively. Hazardous dusts can also chemically interact with the respiratory system, allowing toxic substances like lead and arsenic to pass through alveolar walls into the bloodstream16. A comprehensive understanding of these PM classifications is crucial for assessing their impact on human health.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) poses significant health risks to miners, as they inhale ambient air in their workplace. PM's mineralogical composition can lead to severe health issues, such as asbestosis and silicosis3. Effective monitoring of PM is crucial not only for environmental permits and planning but also for safeguarding miners' health. However, current monitoring systems in mining areas encounter limitations, necessitating the implementation of fast and accurate air monitoring systems. Inadequate monitoring of PM dust concentration (ranging from PM 2.5 to PM 10 ) can lead to worker exposure and various health complications, including respiratory problems, lung diseases, breathing difficulties, non-fatal heart attacks, and cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, comprehensive and precise monitoring systems are essential for ensuring the well-being of miners17,18.

Monitoring particulate matter (PM) in mining sites involves collecting air quality data while considering wind direction. This monitoring can be divided into three parts: (1) monitoring the mine atmosphere away from equipment operations but within the site, (2) monitoring PM dust at operating sites, including drilling, blasting, loading, transportation, and facilities, and (3) monitoring PM dust outside the mining area19.

In mining operations, various dust-forming activities occur at different locations, necessitating the monitoring of particulate matter (PM) concentrations at multiple sites. The rapid advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has led to the development of IoT-based PM monitoring systems, which serve as a promising alternative to traditional monitoring methods20. Conventional monitoring systems often require significant human intervention, are time-consuming, and may result in manual errors, emphasizing the need for improved monitoring solutions. IoT-based PM monitoring systems collect data through measurement devices (sensors) and transmit it via the network, making them more efficient and reliable. These systems are designed to enable mine operators to promptly inspect dust-causing sites and implement necessary preventive measures. To be effective, these systems should be easy to install at multiple sites and exhibit sufficient endurance, considering that the main dust-generating areas may change over time, and workers are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions during mining operations. This study investigates the performance of IoT measurement devices and the network in existing operations, including an open-pit mine site.

A multitude of studies has explored the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in tracking traffic flow and monitoring air quality. For instance, a study in 2022 introduced an inexpensive IoT-based system for tracking traffic flow and determining the air quality index (AQI)21. This study utilized machine learning methods, which eliminated the need for complex calibration, allowing the measurement of pollutant gases and accurate determination of AQI. Similarly, another study in 2020 demonstrated an IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring platform, storing data in the cloud and providing resources for further indoor air quality studies22.

In line with this, researchers in 2020 developed an IoT system for monitoring air quality, capable of monitoring local air quality and providing data for user analysis via an integrated buzzer23. Additionally, another study in 2020 discussed the use of IoT in the mining field, highlighting how IoT serves as a wireless network for collecting information from electronic devices and sensors24.

Over the past decade, advances in wireless sensor networks (WSN), radio frequency identification (RFID), and cloud computing have facilitated the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in harsh work environments like mining25. This integration has significantly improved the accuracy, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and real-time capabilities of the monitoring process. Notably, these advancements have enabled automatic event detection, control, and remote data exchange, making monitoring feasible in otherwise inaccessible locations. Several successful implementations of WSN-based monitoring systems have been reported, such as early detection of fires in coal mines and detection of toxic mine gases in the environment. Furthermore, IoT technology has enabled the accurate measurement of particulate matter within a short time. Given that time and cost are crucial factors in managing these projects, this work aims to develop a low-cost IoT-based PM monitoring device capable of monitoring pollutants of less than 2.5 . By utilising these technologies, mining operations can be made safer and more efficient, while simultaneously reducing costs and environmental impacts26.

Numerous studies have proposed various machine learning algorithms for the prediction of airborne particulate matter. Li et al. introduced a real-time prediction approach based on weighted extreme learning machine (WELM) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)27. Choubin et al. developed machine learning models, including Random Forest (RF), Bagged Classification and Regression Trees (Bagged CART), and Mixture Discriminant Analysis (MDA), for forecasting PM10-induced risk28. Rutherford et al. utilized excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy and a machine learning algorithm to localize PM sources29.

In the context of PM2.5 prediction, Just et al. proposed a new strategy using machine learning techniques30. Yang et al. put forward hybrid models by combining different deep learning approaches31. Stirnberg et al. developed a method integrating satellite-based Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) with meteorological and land use factors for predicting PM10 concentrations32. Additionally, Gilik et al. constructed a supervised model for air pollution prediction using sensor data and explored model transferability between cities33.These comprehensive studies collectively demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of machine learning in air pollution prediction, providing valuable insights for future research and applications in this field.

In the context of this literature review, the section prominently highlights the novelty and scientific contribution of the current research workan IoT-based monitoring and ML powered dust prediction system. The proposed system not only offers real-time monitoring of various PM particle sizes, including PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, and PM10.0, but also integrates a efficient prediction model to ensure precise and accurate PM measurements. With hardware integration and robust software protocols, the system addresses the limitations of traditional monitoring techniques, facilitating efficient and comprehensive monitoring of PM dust concentration in mining environments. This research work aims to significantly contribute for improving mine air quality by effectively monitored and prediction of PM dust pollution in surface mine sites by utilising the cutting edge technology like IoT and ML. The proposed IoT-based Dust Monitoring System stands as a novel and practical solution that advances the field of air quality monitoring and holds promising potential for widespread implementation in mining and beyond.

Read more:
Integrated smart dust monitoring and prediction system for surface mine sites using IoT and machine learning ... - Nature.com

Read More..

Breakthrough AI Predicts Mouse Movement With 95% Accuracy Using Brain Data – SciTechDaily

A new end-to-end deep learning method for the prediction of behavioral states uses whole-cortex functional imaging that do not require preprocessing or pre-specified features. Developed by medical student AJIOKA Takehiro and a team led by Kobe Universitys TAKUMI Toru, their approach also allows them to identify which brain regions are most relevant for the algorithm (pictured). The ability to extract this information lays the foundation for future developments of brain-machine interfaces. Credit: Ajioka Takehiro

An AI image recognition algorithm can predict whether a mouse is moving or not based on brain functional imaging data. The researchers from Kobe University have also developed a method to identify which input data is relevant, shining light into the AI black box with the potential to contribute to brain-machine interface technology.

For the production of brain-machine interfaces, it is necessary to understand how brain signals and affected actions relate to each other. This is called neural decoding, and most research in this field is done on the brain cells electrical activity, which is measured by electrodes implanted into the brain. On the other hand, functional imaging technologies, such as fMRI or calcium imaging, can monitor the whole brain and can make active brain regions visible by proxy data.

Out of the two, calcium imaging is faster and offers better spatial resolution. But these data sources remain untapped for neural decoding efforts. One particular obstacle is the need to preprocess the data such as by removing noise or identifying a region of interest, making it difficult to devise a generalized procedure for neural decoding of many different kinds of behavior.

Kobe University medical student Ajioka Takehiro used the interdisciplinary expertise of the team led by neuroscientist Takumi Toru to tackle this issue. Our experience with VR-based real-time imaging and motion tracking systems for mice and deep learning techniques allowed us to explore end-to-end deep learning methods, which means that they dont require preprocessing or pre-specified features, and thus assess cortex-wide information for neural decoding, says Ajioka. They combined two different deep learning algorithms, one for spatial and one for temporal patterns, to whole-cortex film data from mice resting or running on a treadmill and trained their AI model to accurately predict from the cortex image data whether the mouse is moving or resting.

In the journal PLoS Computational Biology, the Kobe University researchers report that their model has an accuracy of 95% in predicting the true behavioral state of the animal without the need to remove noise or pre-define a region of interest. In addition, their model made these accurate predictions based on just 0.17 seconds of data, meaning that they could achieve near real-time speeds. Also, this worked across five different individuals, which shows that the model could filter out individual characteristics.

The neuroscientists then went on to identify which parts of the image data were mainly responsible for the prediction by deleting portions of the data and observing the performance of the model in that state. The worse the prediction became, the more important that data was. This ability of our model to identify critical cortical regions for behavioral classification is particularly exciting, as it opens the lid of the black box aspect of deep learning techniques, explains Ajioka.

Taken together, the Kobe University team established a generalizable technique to identify behavioral states from whole-cortex functional imaging data and developed a technique to identify which portions of the data the predictions are based on. Ajioka explains why this is relevant. This research establishes the foundation for further developing brain-machine interfaces capable of near real-time behavior decoding using non-invasive brain imaging.

Reference: End-to-end deep learning approach to mouse behavior classification from cortex-wide calcium imaging by Takehiro Ajioka, Nobuhiro Nakai, Okito Yamashita and Toru Takumi, 13 March 2024, PLOS Computational Biology. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011074

This research was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grants JP16H06316, JP23H04233, JP23KK0132, JP19K16886, JP23K14673 and JP23H04138), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (grant JP21wm0425011), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (grants JPMJMS2299 and JPMJMS229B), the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (grant 30-9), and the Takeda Science Foundation. It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the ATR Neural Information Analysis Laboratories.

More here:
Breakthrough AI Predicts Mouse Movement With 95% Accuracy Using Brain Data - SciTechDaily

Read More..

Unraveling the Dynamics- Does AI Complicate or Simplify Cybersecurity? – CXOToday.com

By Gaurav Ranade

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cybersecurity has sparked intense debate and speculation in recent years. On one hand, theres the promise of AI revolutionizing defense capabilities, while on the other, concerns about its potential pitfalls loom large. As businesses grapple with the daunting task of safeguarding their digital assets against a myriad of cyber threats while staying in line with the AIadoption trend, the question arises: does AI complicate or simplify cybersecurity?

To unravel this conundrum, we must first understand the intricate interplay between AI and cybersecurity, and how these two realms intersect to shape the future of digital defense. Join us as we delve into the profound impact of AI and its potential to revolutionize the cybersecurity landscape.

The Promise of AI for Cybersecurity

The advantages of AI in cybersecurity are manifold, offering a paradigm shift from traditional systems. While53% of organizationsare in the early stages of AI adoption, 93% of security leaders anticipate its transformative impact within five years, with 89% actively pursuing AI projects. This growing adoption highlights the advantage AI offers for cybersecurity. Here are a few ways AI revolutionizes cybersecurity:

At the heart of AI lies machine learning (ML), enabling systems to autonomously learn from past experiences without human intervention. As developers continuously refine ML capabilities, AI evolves to anticipate and counter future threats, akin to human learning but without the constraints of time-consuming input.

ML, complemented by human training, empowers AI to discern meaningful patterns within vast datasets, minimizing false positives and focusing human operators attention on critical issues. This mitigates the common challenge of alert fatigue, where operators risk oversight amidst an inundation of unnecessary alerts.

AI automates labor-intensive tasks such as event monitoring and analysis, enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of cybersecurity operations. By relieving human operators of mundane tasks, AI allows them to focus on strategic decision-making and threat mitigation.

The integration of AI addresses the 2023 projected shortfall of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals. AI-powered tools like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) bolster defense capabilities, bridging workforce gaps and fortifying resilience against evolving threats.

Looking ahead, AIs integration is poised to further reshape cybersecurity landscapes.According to an IDC report, By 2026, 85% of enterprises are expected to leverage AI, ML, and pattern recognition to augment human expertise, enhancing productivity and foresight amidst evolving threats.

Complexities in AI-driven Cybersecurity

While the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense promise in cybersecurity, it also presents a myriad of challenges and risks. Heres a closer look at the complexities involved:

The adoption of AI in cybersecurity necessitates access to large datasets, raising significant data privacy concerns. As AI systems require extensive data for training and analysis, organizations must navigate governance complexities to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and mitigate associated risks.

Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of AI-driven cybersecurity systems is paramount. These systems are susceptible to false positives and negatives, which can undermine their effectiveness. Robust data preparation processes play a crucial role in enhancing reliability and accuracy, mitigating risks associated with data poisoning and algorithmic biases.

The lack of transparency in AI systems poses a significant challenge for cybersecurity experts. Without clear insights into how AI arrives at specific decisions, validating and understanding these decisions becomes difficult. Addressing transparency challenges is essential to foster trust and confidence in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.

Bias, both in training data and algorithms, represents a critical concern in AI-driven cybersecurity. Biased data and algorithms can lead to skewed outcomes and undermine the fairness and effectiveness of cybersecurity systems. Mitigating bias through comprehensive data collection, preprocessing, and algorithmic adjustments is essential to ensure the integrity and equity of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.

In conclusion,the role of AI in cybersecurity is both promising and precarious. While it offers unprecedented potential to fortify defense mechanisms and combat evolving threats, its integration demands a delicate balance. By acknowledging the complexities and embracing best practices, organizations can unlock the transformative capabilities of AI, navigating the intricate cybersecurity landscape with resilience and foresight. In this interplay between innovation and risk, strategic implementation becomes the linchpin for success, propelling organizations towards greater security and readiness in a dynamic digital ecosystem.

(The author is Gaurav Ranade, CTO, RAH Infotech, and the views expressed in this article are his own)

Read the rest here:
Unraveling the Dynamics- Does AI Complicate or Simplify Cybersecurity? - CXOToday.com

Read More..