Generative AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, we all can attest to this phenomenon. Which is why cybersecurity matters more than ever before, especially on our personal computing devices. As Windows continues to incorporate AI-driven features, from intelligent security protocols to enhanced user functionalities, the operating system is redefining what personal computing means for all of us. To understand how AI is transforming Windows and its implications for cybersecurity, I interviewed Anand Jethalia, Country Head of Cybersecurity at Microsoft India & South Asia.
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Our conversation delved into the escalating role of AI in both fortifying and challenging Windows security. With cyber threats growing in sophistication, AI emerges as a double-edged sword – empowering defenders while equipping adversaries alike. Anand shares insights on how Microsoft leverages AI to protect Windows users globally, the innovations on the horizon, and how individuals can navigate this new era where AI and Windows converge to shape the future of personal and enterprise security. Edited excerpts follow:
AI has fundamentally reshaped the cybersecurity landscape, acting as both a powerful defence mechanism and a tool for increasingly sophisticated threats. On the defence side, AI has revolutionised how organisations detect and respond to cyber risks by enabling real-time analysis of vast data sets and uncovering patterns and anomalies indicative of potential breaches. We’ve seen the evolution of AI from the early rules-based systems to machine learning, and now to the advent of generative AI.
However, AI’s potential is not exclusive to defenders. Cybercriminals, including nation-state actors and sophisticated criminal enterprises, are increasingly exploiting AI to automate and scale their attacks, making them more efficient and harder to detect. They are using AI to mimic legitimate behaviours, automate cyberattacks, and identify new vulnerabilities, amplifying the threat landscape. The inadvertent leakage of sensitive data through AI prompts also poses a growing concern.
As we look to the future, the role of AI in security will expand even further. AI will drive improvements in threat detection, reduce false positives, and automate routine tasks, all while fortifying organisations’ overall security posture. Yet, as cyber adversaries continue to evolve, our collective investment in AI and its integration into security strategies will be critical to staying ahead of these sophisticated threats. Security professionals will remain indispensable, focusing on advanced incident response and proactive threat hunting, with AI as a powerful ally.
AI is truly transforming how we protect personal devices, like phones and laptops, from cyberthreats. At Microsoft, we’re leveraging AI to enhance both detection and prevention, using machine learning algorithms that analyse data in real time to block threats before they cause harm.
For instance, supervised learning allows us to recognize known threats, such as malware, by detecting their unique signatures. Unsupervised learning takes it a step further, identifying emerging threats by spotting abnormal patterns that don’t have known signatures. We also use AI-powered user behaviour analytics to monitor for suspicious activity that could indicate compromised accounts.
When it comes to personal devices, AI plays a key role in boosting endpoint security – whether it’s identifying vulnerabilities, detecting malware, or preventing unauthorised data transfers. Additionally, AI-driven next-generation firewalls and intrusion detection systems are helping us tap into threat intelligence to stay ahead of novel cyberattacks.
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At the core of our approach is Microsoft’s Zero Trust security model, which continuously validates device trustworthiness, ensuring that every device accessing company resources is secure. We also emphasise advanced authentication, like passwordless access through Azure Active Directory, which enhances both security and user experience. Our integrated security solutions – such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft 365 Defender—offer proactive protection, while Microsoft Purview ensures data governance and insider risk mitigation. We focus on security from the ground up, embedding privacy and control into every aspect of our technology.
At Microsoft, we prioritise protecting user privacy, including that of our customers in India, through a multi-layered approach built on AI-driven security tools. Our AI-powered tools, such as Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Purview, are developed with privacy by design principles, meaning privacy considerations are embedded at every stage of development. We use advanced encryption to safeguard data both at rest and in transit, ensuring a high level of protection. Moreover, we provide transparency reports and user consent mechanisms, empowering users to understand how their data is used and enabling them to control privacy settings.
For instance, Surface devices come equipped with robust AI-driven security features, including Windows Security for real-time malware protection and Windows Hello for passwordless authentication via facial recognition or biometrics, reducing the risk of credential theft. BitLocker encryption adds an extra layer of protection for sensitive data, ensuring it remains secure. Our Windows operating system security, with features like Secure Boot and Windows Defender System Guard, further strengthens protection against firmware attacks, safeguarding users’ devices from a wide array of cyberthreats. This comprehensive approach ensures that our AI-driven tools not only enhance cybersecurity but also uphold user privacy at every level.
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field that is changing to better detect and respond to attacks. One of the gamechangers in security will be the integration of AI and machine learning into cybersecurity systems, enabling more proactive threat detection and response. AI’s transformative power is rapidly shaping a new generation of cybersecurity tools, tactics, creating new opportunities at an accelerating pace. These technologies will help identify and neutralise threats in real-time, often before the user is even aware, by analysing patterns and anomalies in data.
To stay resilient in today’s dynamic threat landscape, digital enterprises must adopt a proactive, multi-layered approach to cybersecurity.
With AI in security, businesses can instantly detect anomalies, respond swiftly to mitigate risks, and customise defences to their unique needs. Last year we launched the Secure Future Initiative to help protect against customers, industry and ourselves emerging threats. This initiative boils down to three key principles: building technologies that are secure by design, by default, and in operation. It’s the largest cybersecurity engineering effort in history-a multiyear commitment that has the equivalent of 34,000 full-time engineers dedicated to it.
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However, cybersecurity isn’t just a technical matter; it’s a human one. Organisations must invest in ongoing employee training to recognize phishing, social engineering, and other tactics, reducing the risk of human error that can lead to breaches.
As AI becomes increasingly integral to cybersecurity, the role of humans remains crucial, particularly in areas requiring strategic thinking, ethical judgement, and creativity – qualities that AI cannot fully replicate. While AI excels at handling repetitive tasks such as threat detection, data analysis, and pattern recognition on a large scale, human expertise is indispensable for interpreting these results, making nuanced decisions, and addressing sophisticated attacks that require contextual understanding and insight.
Humans will play a key role in cyber threat intelligence and strategy. Although AI can identify potential threats, humans are needed to grasp the broader implications, develop long-term defence strategies, and adapt security policies to evolving global risks. Human analysts are also essential for tackling zero-day vulnerabilities and targeted attacks that demand innovative problem-solving.
For young individuals aiming to enter the field, proficiency in AI and a solid understanding of cybersecurity will be essential. Aspiring professionals should concentrate on building a robust foundation in AI and machine learning, alongside traditional cybersecurity concepts such as network security, cryptography, and risk management.
In a future where AI handles numerous operational tasks, humans will continue to be the strategic leaders, ethical guides, and creative problem solvers in cybersecurity. Young individuals preparing for this field should embrace both technological expertise and broader skills, enabling them to make unique contributions in a dynamic, AI-enhanced environment.
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