Let‘s face it: Cybersecurity teams are overwhelmed with work. There simply is not enough time in the day to perform all the high-value tasks they are responsible for, such as consulting with project teams, conducting risk analyses and developing strategic security plans. To make matters worse, security teams often find themselves consumed with time-sensitive and repetitive operational work. Anything they can do to reduce this burden increases their ability to add value to the organization.

Automation has the potential to help with this heavy lifting. Any time security teams find themselves performing work that requires following a repetitive process, it is likely that automation can play an important role in reducing the operational burden. In our work with CDW customers, we have found a few common areas where automation can help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity teams. Let’s look at a few examples.

In a previous blog post, I discussed using AI in the call center with virtual assistance. In this post, I want to go further to dissect the various pieces, components and decisions that need to be made to roll out a successful chatbot solution.

For many business and educational leaders, the resumption of work and learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a challenge. Enforcing health and safety policies and detecting noncompliance can be difficult to accomplish, especially in high-traffic areas, but it’s crucial. Enhanced video surveillance can help. In recent months, many organizations have repurposed existing EVS systems, typically deployed for physical security, to support screening measures related to COVID-19, such as thermal imaging scans, occupancy management and contact tracing.

Layering face mask detection into video analytics, and potentially integrating it with access control systems, provides an additional layer of protection. As with occupancy management and contact tracing, many companies find that automated solutions are far more effective at mask monitoring than humans are.

Retailers are using data, powered by artificial intelligence, to achieve an impressive list of objectives: loss prevention, operational efficiencies, customer insights and buying behavior enhancements.

One of retail’s most versatile data solutions is computer vision, a form of AI that enables computers to glean insights from the visual information flowing to digital cameras. Recommendation engines are also on the rise, letting retailers leverage data to deliver timely, customized experiences. These advances support easier, more personalized shopping for consumers — exactly what they’re looking for.

As organizations across the country have moved to remote work models, many have reported an increase in cyberattacks. Cybercriminals, it seems, are taking advantage of the public health crisis to exploit security vulnerabilities in home-based computer systems. What can organizations do to minimize the chances that their shift to remote work results in an expensive breach? We recommend a multipronged approach that combines the use of security tools and end-user education.

Is Microsoft a security company? The idea has been on my mind for a while. I think back to the days of my early Microsoft experiences. For me, that would be Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0 up to DOS 6.22. It was the base of my conquest for co-sysop on a few dial-up BBSs (bulletin boards), getting really good download ratios, and finding all the sweet “warez”. I was also digging through every inch of my computer. Today, in my role as a Microsoft 365 pre-sales architect, I give even more thought to the security aspects of Microsoft’s environment.