AI in Cybersecurity: Activities of the CINI-AIIS Lab at University of Naples Federico II

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries, including cybersecurity, by emulating human intelligence to address complex threats. In the cybersecurity domain, AI offers significant potential, bolstering defense mechanisms, optimizing threat detection, and advancing incident response capabilities. AI-powered systems can analyze vast datasets to identify anomalies, predict cyberattacks, and enhance overall security posture. Machine Learning (ML), a subset of AI, enables systems to learn from data and make informed decisions, such as predicting optimal security measures based on threat intelligence and operational context. Deep Learning (DL), another ML subset, harnesses Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to process intricate data patterns and provide accurate threat assessments. DL, especially through Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), is transforming cybersecurity by extracting meaningful features from network traffic and log data for anomaly detection and threat hunting. Moreover, DL integrated with Natural Language Processing (NLP) streamlines tasks like threat intelligence analysis and incident response coordination. The versatility of AI underscores its pivotal role in cybersecurity, driving resilience enhancements and fostering proactive defense strategies. In this paper, we highlight AI projects in the cybersecurity sector from the University of Naples Federico II node of the CINI-AIIS Lab, showcasing their innovative contributions to cyber defense.