AI vs Cyber Threats: The Ultimate Arms Race, Dipak Nair & Sunil Yadav, X-Biz Techventures

By Puja Sharma

AI is reshaping cybersecurity with real-time threat detection and adaptive defences, but as threats evolve, so must our strategies. Dipak Nair and Sunil Yadav of X-Biz Techventures share their insights on balancing AI-driven security with proactive risk management.

How is AI reshaping cybersecurity strategies?
“As the world rapidly digitalises and artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent, it’s crucial to consider the risks that come with it. As organisations rely more on automation, digitalisation, and autonomous systems, AI offers both opportunities and challenges.

“AI is a powerful tool, but its impact depends on who uses it and for what purpose. While AI enhances threat detection and response, enabling faster identification and mitigation of complex cyberattacks, it also introduces new challenges as AI-powered attacks evolve, posing greater risks for cybersecurity professionals.

“AI is profoundly transforming cybersecurity. Humans have limited time and energy, a reality that applies to both attackers and defenders. With AI, the frequency and coverage of attacks will increase, making organisations that were once overlooked easy targets. Without adopting AI in cybersecurity, organisations risk falling behind in an increasingly lopsided game.

“AI is reshaping the core philosophies of cyber resilience to tackle complex challenges and strengthen security. Traditional solutions are no longer enough. AI can predict attack vectors, prioritise responses with precision, reduce dwell times, and minimise false positives, ensuring security evolves with emerging threats. By enabling systems to learn, adapt, and neutralise threats in real-time, AI transforms defences from reactive to proactive.”

How can we eliminate blind spots that traditional security audits often leave out?

“Do we truly know our estate?” This vital question is key to eliminating blind spots in cybersecurity. To protect their assets, organisations must first understand what needs protection. Shadow IT, outdated systems, and tech debt create hidden vulnerabilities, while abandoned applications can still expose security gaps, posing significant risks.

“Traditional audits, which rely on snapshots of security posture, are no longer sufficient. Organisations need continuous, AI-driven visibility into their attack surface. AI-powered Attack Surface Management (ASM) tools detect domain and subdomain inventory, asset discovery, darkweb exposures, unmanaged devices, shadow IT, and cloud misconfigurations in real time, uncovering insights missed by manual audits.

“AI also helps identify risks in software, including those introduced by developers unknowingly. AI-driven Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools scan codebases, containers, and third-party dependencies to create a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), identifying outdated or high-risk components and proactively managing vulnerabilities, especially in supply chains.

“AI-powered behavioural analytics monitor user activity and network traffic, detecting anomalies like compromised credentials or insider threats. Vulnerability prioritisation powered by AI identifies risks most likely to be exploited, such as outdated dependencies or exposed APIs. Automating compliance scans across hybrid environments ensures configurations align with evolving standards.

“By combining continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and dynamic risk assessment, organisations transform audits into always-on defence systems. This proactive approach closes visibility gaps and adapts to emerging threats, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.”

With over 60% of breaches linked to third-party and supply chain vulnerabilities, how can organisations strengthen vendor risk management to minimise exposure?

“As businesses rely more on third-party vendors, supply chain vulnerabilities have increased. Companies often lack access to vendor systems and governance practices.

“Traditional vendor risk management—using self-reported data, static questionnaires, and audits—no longer works. These methods miss key vulnerabilities like exposed APIs, outdated code, and misconfigured cloud environments, leaving businesses at risk.

“To minimise exposure, companies need continuous, AI-driven risk assessments that go beyond checklists. This includes scanning vendors’ public assets, linking vendor risks with internal threats through machine learning, and prioritising risks based on likelihood and impact. Automated remediation ensures vulnerabilities are addressed before exploitation.”

How can one ensure visibility across hidden vulnerabilities like Shadow APIs?

“Shadow APIs—undocumented/hidden endpoints pose growing vulnerabilities. This often arises when development teams update apps without coordinating centralised security processes, creates gaps in visibility and exposes data or services without oversight.

“Organisations need continuous discovery methods, scanning networks and code repositories for undocumented APIs instead of relying solely on inventory lists and change logs. AI-driven analytics can identify behavioural anomalies, such as unusual data flows or access patterns, that may indicate rogue APIs. Integrating security checks throughout the application lifecycle—from development to production ensures new shadow APIs don’t go unnoticed.”

As cybersecurity costs surge, how should organisations quantify the ROI of their security investments in terms of risk reduction, compliance, and long-term resilience?

“Rising cybersecurity costs are a concern, but they are vital for risk reduction, compliance, and long-term resilience. ROI extends beyond attack prevention, supporting business agility and secure
operations. Linking cybersecurity metrics to business KPIs highlights how investments protect revenue, reputation, and valuation. A balanced approach to ROI considers compliance, risk reduction,
and operational resilience. Automating audits, avoiding fines, and mitigating breaches enhance returns. Organisations, regardless of size, face similar cyber risks, with larger firms being more attractive targets. Continuous Attack Surface Monitoring, secure coding, and third-party risk management are essential. Adopting a “protect vs. park” approach with cyber insurance enhances resilience and ensures financial safeguards against evolving threats.”

How is X-Biz Tech supporting organisations in overcoming these challenges?

“Cybersecurity is like “walking up a down escalator”—constant learning and adaptation to new technologies, risks, and mechanisms are essential. This forms the foundation of SecureNexus, a division of X-Biz TechVentures. With Cert-IN Empanelment, we bring credibility and authenticity to the services.

“By combining human expertise with AI and machine learning, SecureNexus is reshaping cybersecurity, creating a dynamic defence system that adapts as quickly as attackers.

“SecureNexus operates across three dimensions: “Services,” “Products,” and “Research Lab,” which work together to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities. The Research Lab collaborates with global cybersecurity communities to provide proactive insights, offering timely threat advisories and interventions preventing multiple incidents well in advance.

“SecureNexus provides Regulatory Compliance Audits, Red Team assessments, VAPT, Incident Forensics, and Source Code Reviews as services complemented by key products such as Full Attack Surface Monitoring (F-ASM), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Vulnerability Management, Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Third- Party Risk Management (TPRM) giving a comprehensive solution for improving its customer’s cybersecurity posture.

“SecureNexus also strengthens API security through AI-driven detection and discovery to gain real-time visibility. Additionally, SecureNexus’s Tech GRC Suite includes modules like IT Risk Management, Logical Access Management, and Business Continuity Tools, covering technology risk management, compliance, and controls.

Through AI-powered products and expert services, SecureNexus helps organisations transition from reactive to proactive cybersecurity, strengthening their defences against evolving threats.”