GenAI — A game changer in boosting cybersecurity efficiency and productivity, but are we ready?

In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a non-negotiable priority for organisations worldwide. With cyber threats growing in sophistication and scale, security teams are increasingly seeking advanced solutions to stay ahead of attackers. One of the most promising technologies on the horizon is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), which has the potential to revolutionise cybersecurity practices. Yet, despite its immense promise, the adoption of GenAI in India’s cybersecurity landscape faces numerous challenges.
 
One of the most significant hurdles to GenAI adoption in Indian organisations is a lack of technological maturity. A Forrester Consulting study commissioned by Tenable revealed that 71% of Indian companies struggle with integrating AI tools into their operations. While AI has been touted as the future of numerous industries, including cybersecurity, a large proportion of Indian businesses are held back by uncertainty about how AI fits into their existing frameworks. This is compounded by a shortage of skilled personnel capable of training these systems. The challenges of adopting GenAI extend beyond technology — they require deep expertise and governance, something that many Indian organisations are still grappling with.
 
This hesitation is understandable. While GenAI offers immense potential in identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing cybersecurity defenses, it also raises concerns about new risks. Will GenAI systems, if not properly managed, heighten cybersecurity threats instead of mitigating them? Security professionals in India are understandably cautious, weighing the potential benefits against the possible downsides.
 
Yet, the benefits of GenAI cannot be overstated. GenAI-powered cybersecurity tools built on vast repositories of data offer unparalleled insight into potential vulnerabilities and misconfigurations across an organisation’s digital infrastructure. The ability to query vast datasets using natural language makes identifying threats and weaknesses faster and more efficient. Instead of wading through complex data points, security teams can use GenAI to ask simple questions and receive meaningful, actionable insights. This is where GenAI can truly shine — by transforming the way security professionals engage with data, enabling preventive measures rather than reactionary responses.
 
India, like the rest of the world, is facing a dire cybersecurity skills gap, with around 4 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally. Here, too, GenAI presents an exciting opportunity. These tools can effectively act as a force multiplier for smaller teams, giving them the ability to handle more complex threats with fewer resources. By accelerating the analysis of attack paths and providing clear remediation guidance, GenAI can significantly boost the productivity of cybersecurity teams, allowing them to focus on the most critical tasks without being bogged down by the sheer volume of threats.
 
This shift from a reactive to a preventive approach in cybersecurity is critical. Teams are often forced into reaction mode, dealing with threats as they emerge rather than preventing them from happening in the first place. GenAI changes this dynamic, offering teams the tools to work faster, cut through complexity, and stay one step ahead of attackers. The efficiency and productivity gains from GenAI are not just about speed—they are about making rapid, informed decisions that can drastically reduce an organisation's risk exposure.
 
But with such transformative potential comes responsibility. As with any cutting-edge technology, there are risks involved, particularly in the absence of clear regulations. The unregulated nature of GenAI has raised concerns about its unchecked use, and rightly so. Organisations cannot afford to wait for regulations to catch up before they act. The onus is on security leaders to establish their own guardrails and governance structures for using AI responsibly. This includes integrating secure practices throughout the AI development lifecycle, conducting regular security tests, and educating employees on the safe use of GenAI.
 
Furthermore, the rise of "shadow IT" – where employees use GenAI tools on personal devices without proper oversight – presents a new wave of potential risks. Without a solid framework in place, organisations may inadvertently open themselves up to vulnerabilities they hadn’t anticipated. It is crucial, therefore, for companies to educate their workforce about secure AI usage and establish clear guidelines to ensure these tools are used safely and effectively.
 
Ultimately, the adoption of GenAI in cybersecurity is inevitable. The question is not if, but how organisations will harness this powerful tool. The promise of GenAI lies not just in its ability to boost efficiency and productivity but in its potential to reshape the entire cybersecurity landscape. However, organisations must tread carefully, balancing innovation with caution, and ensuring that they have the right frameworks in place to mitigate risks.
 
In the race to contain cyber threats, those who embrace GenAI with responsibility and foresight will undoubtedly have the upper hand. But readiness requires more than just technology—it demands governance, expertise, and a commitment to security at every level of the organisation.

Scott Caveza

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Scott Caveza is staff research engineer of Tenable