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AI-Driven Cyberattacks: New Service from NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks bets on Automated Threat Detection

NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks introduce MXDR, an AI-enhanced cybersecurity service aimed at protecting high-risk industries from today’s sophisticated cyber threats

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NTT DATA has expanded its cybersecurity capabilities through a new partnership with Palo Alto Networks, introducing the Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) service. Designed to help enterprises tackle an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks, MXDR leverages AI and real-time threat intelligence from Palo Alto’s Cortex XSIAM platform.

The announcement comes amid findings from Microsoft’s latest report, which reveals an uptick in AI-powered attacks, with over 600 million incidents occurring daily as cybercriminals automate techniques to evade detection.

MXDR: Consolidating Security Operations and AI-Driven Threat Detection

NTT DATA’s MXDR platform addresses a central challenge facing many organizations: fragmented security systems that struggle to keep up with increasingly automated attacks. MXDR brings together a unified interface for threat detection, response, and monitoring, all backed by Cortex XSIAM.

Built for flexibility, this platform applies AI to quickly identify patterns that could indicate potential breaches, allowing companies to react promptly. “Many organizations are working with isolated security tools, making it harder to detect and respond to advanced threats,” said Sheetal Mehta, NTT DATA’s Global Head of Cybersecurity.

Cortex XSIAM, the backbone of MXDR, automates much of the data analysis typically handled by human operators, making it faster to spot anomalies across cloud, edge, and endpoint devices. This enables organizations to stay one step ahead, even as cybercriminals refine their tactics with AI.

Urgent Response to Escalating AI Threats

According to Microsoft’s October 16 report, artificial intelligence is reshaping the cyber threat landscape, allowing attackers to craft highly realistic phishing emails and other social engineering tools that traditional defenses struggle to detect. Generative AI, the technology behind these tactics, uses large datasets to create realistic content automatically, making it easier for attackers to infiltrate networks with fake but convincing communications.

Microsoft’s report reveals the scale of this shift: state-backed groups from Russia, North Korea, and Iran are increasingly using AI to automate operations ranging from ransomware to espionage. For instance, Russian state actors have deployed AI-enhanced malware targeting Ukraine, blurring lines between traditional cyber espionage and ransomware attacks.

In North Korea, malware such as FakePenny has emerged, using AI to target sectors like aerospace, with a focus on both intelligence gathering and financial extortion. Meanwhile, Iran’s cyber strategy has expanded to influence campaigns and data theft aimed at regional adversaries.

Security for High-Risk Sectors and Global Enterprise

Industries such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and chemicals are among those targeted most frequently, and NTT DATA is tailoring MXDR to meet the unique needs of these sectors.

Organizations within these fields rely on secure, interconnected systems that are vulnerable to disruption or intellectual property theft. MXDR’s comprehensive edge-to-cloud security provides a layered defense, enabling companies to detect threats across every part of their infrastructure.

In offering full visibility from endpoint devices to cloud networks, MXDR not only bolsters defenses against external threats but also helps manage the financial burden associated with multiple, often unintegrated security tools. NTT DATA’s partnership with Palo Alto Networks reduces this complexity by consolidating functions within a single platform, improving cost-efficiency and cutting response times.

The Role of Partnerships in a Growing Cybersecurity Market

As cyberattacks become more complex, private-public partnerships are increasingly critical. Microsoft’s report emphasizes the importance of collaboration, as the scale of AI-driven attacks exceeds what any single entity can handle alone. NTT DATA’s partnership with Palo Alto Networks exemplifies this trend.

Built on a foundation of global threat intelligence and backed by NTT DATA’s network of 7,500 cybersecurity professionals across 50 countries, MXDR provides a blend of local expertise and global reach.

Forecasts from Gartner indicate that spending on information security could exceed $212 billion by 2025, underlining the urgency for solutions that can address a broad range of cyber threats, from organized crime to nation-state operations. NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks’ MXDR service represents a proactive response to these demands, integrating the latest in AI-driven security and threat intelligence to help enterprises stay resilient in the face of unprecedented digital threats.

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:18 pm CET

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about Microsoft and the wider tech industry for over 10 years. With a degree in creative and professional writing, Luke looks for the interesting spin when covering AI, Windows, Xbox, and more.

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