AI-Powered Defense and Staying One Step Ahead for CISOs

In this special episode of Wise TV’s CISO Meetings series, Hakan Türköner, Director of Information Security, Governance, and Corporate Solutions at Boyner Group, discusses the new cybersecurity ecosystem as transformed by artificial intelligence. “Recently, as you know, the emergence of ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence has brought about significant new attack vectors and methods—on both the defensive and offensive fronts. Consequently, to stay one step ahead strategically, we must closely monitor these developments. We seek technological consultancy from various organizations and keep a sharp eye on emerging trends. In particular, we have begun developing AI-powered defensive measures to counter AI-driven attacks. A core part of our mission involves researching threats and tracking global developments, which informs our investment planning. We place a strong emphasis on integrating AI into the products we develop in-house. Within our IT organization, we work alongside our data team to embed AI—both in our production pipelines and in our cybersecurity operations—to gain deeper insights. Relying solely on product-based defense leaves us vulnerable to attacks that the vendors themselves may not yet be aware of. On the endpoint side, we are moving away from signature-based solutions toward AI-driven, behavior-based tools; the moment our systems detect anomalous behavior or lateral movement—indicating a potential intrusion—all alarms are triggered. To achieve this, we utilize NDR (Network Detection and Response) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) solutions. Hackers are always a step ahead, and we are constantly striving to catch up. To take a more proactive stance in the industry, we must shift from a purely defensive posture to an offensive one—adopting a ‘Red Team’ mindset to evaluate our security from the perspective of an attacker. When evaluating products, we divide our teams into ‘Blue Teams’ and ‘Red Teams’: while one side focuses on defense, the other adopts an attacker’s perspective to identify, test, and execute potential attack methods. In this way, we [can assess and enhance] our company’s cybersecurity maturity level.” …we measure.”

Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Dynamics of a New Era
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in recent years has brought about significant changes in the field of cybersecurity. AI has begun to be utilized in both offensive and defensive mechanisms, leading to a reshaping of cybersecurity strategies. Organizations must now closely monitor AI-powered attack and defense methods. In this article, we will explore the impact of AI on cybersecurity and examine emerging trends in this field.

AI-Powered Attack Methods
Artificial intelligence enables attackers to develop more sophisticated and effective methods. Machine learning algorithms, in particular, allow for attacks that are faster and more targeted. This necessitates that organizations keep their defense mechanisms constantly updated.

Red Team and Blue Team Approaches
Red Team and Blue Team approaches are used in cybersecurity to evaluate both offensive and defensive perspectives. While the Red Team tests systems from the viewpoint of an attacker, the Blue Team focuses on developing defensive strategies. The collaboration between these two teams enhances an organization’s cybersecurity maturity.

Future Trends in Cybersecurity
Greater integration between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is expected in the future. By leveraging these technologies more effectively, organizations will become better prepared to counter cyber threats—a reality that requires cybersecurity strategies to undergo continuous evolution.