APAC leads global average in GenAI adoption for cybersecurity

A new study released by Tenable suggests that 55% of organisations in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region have already implemented or plan to expand their use of generative AI (GenAI) within the next year. This rate of adoption indicates a significant regional commitment to leveraging advanced AI technologies for business and security outcomes, surpassing the global average of 52%.

The findings come from the APAC edition of "How to Discover, Analyse and Respond to Threats Faster with Generative AI", a study commissioned by Tenable and conducted by Forrester Consulting in October 2023. The study surveyed 826 IT and cybersecurity leaders globally, including 207 respondents from the APAC region.

Nigel Ng, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan at Tenable, commented on the impact of GenAI-powered cybersecurity platforms. He said, "The adoption of GenAI-powered cybersecurity platforms acts as a powerful force multiplier, enabling rapid analysis of numerous assets, vulnerabilities, cloud misconfigurations, and other datasets to quickly pinpoint risks within an organisation and provide critical context that might otherwise be overlooked."

Ng also emphasised the importance of governance in the adoption of GenAI technologies. "Effective governance is essential to ensure that GenAI adoption not only drives business and security outcomes but also complies with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. As organisations accelerate their GenAI adoption, they must also implement robust frameworks to manage the technology’s risks and benefits effectively," he stated.

The study highlights an enthusiastic regional embrace of GenAI technologies, driven by the need for advanced tools to tackle security threats and improve operational efficiencies. The commitment shown by more than half of the organisations in the APAC region to either implement or expand GenAI use is indicative of a shifting landscape towards more technologically advanced cybersecurity measures.

In the context of increasing cybersecurity threats, AI's role in analysing and responding to these threats could be pivotal. GenAI platforms' ability to rapidly process and interpret vast amounts of data can help organisations stay one step ahead of potential security breaches.

As GenAI adoption continues to grow, Tenable's findings suggest that organisational strategies will need to encompass technological advancements and regulatory and ethical considerations. Balancing these elements will be crucial for maximising GenAI's benefits while minimising its risks.

Tenable is a cybersecurity company specialising in vulnerability management. The company is known for its flagship product, Nessus, which helps organisations identify and address security vulnerabilities. Its solutions provide comprehensive visibility and insight into cyber exposure, helping businesses understand and reduce risk across various digital environments, including IT, cloud, operational technology (OT), and DevOps. Tenable serves various industries, offering products and services that enhance security posture and compliance efforts.