Artificial Intelligence (AI) has long been recognized for its role in detecting phishing attempts, but its capabilities extend far beyond that. With the rise of sophisticated cyber threats, AI has evolved to identify complex and subtle threats, predict attack patterns, and automate responses to emerging risks, significantly enhancing email security.

AI is one of the most effective tools when it comes to tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Email Account Compromise (EAC). These threats do not rely on traditional methods like malware or malicious URLs, which can be detected by standard cybersecurity measures. Instead, they exploit human trust, which makes them harder to detect and prevent.

AI-driven solutions use advanced machine learning (ML) models, including transformer-based models, to analyze email content and communication patterns at a granular level. These models can process complex sequences of text, enabling them to identify anomalies in email interactions that might indicate an attack. For example, AI can detect subtle inconsistencies in email behavior, such as a sudden change in the tone or language used by a known correspondent, which might suggest that an account has been compromised​.

AI helps in automating the detection of impersonation tactics like domain spoofing and display-name spoofing, common tactics in BEC attacks. By analyzing vast datasets and learning from previous attacks, AI systems can also predict and block new threats​.

Key Benefits of AI for Emerging Email Threats

The ability to proactively predict and respond to threats is one of the primary advantages of AI in email security. Traditional security measures often rely on known threat signatures or behaviors, which means they can only respond to attacks that have already been identified. In contrast, AI models continuously learn from new data, allowing them to identify novel attack patterns before they become widespread.

Security leaders should seek out an email security platform that allows for the dynamic classification of emails based on multiple risk factors, including the sender’s reputation, the content of the email, and historical communication patterns. This allows security teams to prioritize responses based on the level of risk and reduces burden on security operations centers (SOCs)​.

AI can automate much of the response process, such as pulling phishing emails from inboxes, suspending compromised accounts, and enforcing multi-factor authentication for suspicious logins. This automation not only speeds response time but also ensures threats are neutralized before they can cause significant damage.

Integrating AI-Driven Email Security Solutions into Existing Security Infrastructure

Integrating AI-driven email security solutions into an existing security infrastructure can be streamlined with cloud-based platforms. These platforms are designed to be compatible with various security tools and can provide a centralized view of the threat landscape.

Businesses can start by deploying AI-driven email gateways that work alongside traditional security measures to provide an additional layer of defense. These gateways can analyze both inbound and outbound emails, ensuring even internal threats, such as compromised accounts being used to launch attacks, are detected and mitigated​.

Integrating AI with security information and event management (SIEM) systems allows for more effective correlation of security events across different vectors, such as email, cloud services, and network activity. This holistic approach enables organizations to identify and respond to threats more efficiently and comprehensively.

AI is Essential for the Next Generation of Email Security

AI is transforming the landscape of email security, moving beyond traditional phishing detection to offer a more comprehensive and proactive defense against emerging threats. By predicting attack patterns, automating responses, and seamlessly integrating with existing security infrastructure, AI provides businesses with a robust toolset to protect against the ever-evolving threat of email-based attacks.

Learn how Proofpoint helps you uplevel your email security with AI at https://www.proofpoint.com/us/products/threat-defense.