CISOs Back AI Deregulation to Spur Innovation, but Warn of Security Challenges Ahead

CISOs Favor Reducing AI Regulations but Warn of Potential Security Risks Recently, Censuswide conducted a survey on behalf of Absolute, polling 500 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in the United States. The results indicate that CISOs generally support the current government's administrative order (EO) to repeal regulations that hinder artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. However, these security leaders also caution that easing regulations could complicate their job of protecting their organizations, leading them to emphasize resilience in their security strategies. The EO aims to accelerate innovation in the AI sector by streamlining regulatory processes and providing more room for technological development. CISOs see this as a positive step, believing it will encourage greater investment in research and development. They argue that restrictive regulations not only impede technological progress but also hike compliance costs, which can undermine a company's competitive edge. Nevertheless, they are concerned that rapid deregulation might cause companies to become complacent about security, thereby raising the risk of data breaches and other cyber threats. More than 80% of the surveyed CISOs expressed support for the government's move, yet nearly 70% noted that reduced regulations would increase the pressure on them to maintain organizational security. To address this challenge, CISOs plan to prioritize resilience, which involves the ability to quickly recover and respond to cyber incidents. The goal is to ensure that systems can return to normal operation swiftly after an attack, minimizing downtime and the risk of business interruptions. Several CISOs pointed out that the deregulation of AI must also address data privacy and ethical concerns. While they are optimistic about the future of AI, they stress the importance of safeguarding user data and privacy even as innovation progresses. Some advocate for industry self-regulation, suggesting that a set of stringent standards and best practices can help fill the gaps left by reduced government oversight. The survey also revealed that many CISOs are already leveraging AI to bolster their cybersecurity measures. For instance, AI can help detect and respond to network threats more quickly, automatically identify potential security vulnerabilities, and optimize security policies. Despite the promising applications of AI in security, CISOs recognize that AI systems themselves can be targets of attacks, necessitating robust defenses. Experts in the industry see this survey as an indication that CISOs are approaching the balance between fostering AI innovation and managing cybersecurity risks with practical discernment. While they back initiatives that promote technological advancement, they understand the critical need to strengthen internal security management and develop effective response strategies as regulations loosen. Absolute, a leading company in endpoint security and self-healing technology, continues to support CISOs by offering efficient tools and resources to help them navigate these challenges. In summary, CISOs view the government's efforts to reduce AI regulations positively, but they are also actively seeking a balance to ensure that technological progress does not compromise security. As AI continues to evolve, CISOs will face new challenges, and maintaining resilience and robust security measures will remain a top priority.