Modern technologies like digitally connected devices (and broadly, the Internet of Things or “IoT”) have been integrated into every facet of modern life — personal, professional and societal. This proliferation of advanced IoT devices brings increased cyber security risks for individuals, businesses and governments.
Given this, cyber security professionals are in high demand. The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Cyber Security Management program from St. Thomas University (STU) prepares professionals to excel in leadership roles in this rapidly growing field.
These professionals must be experts regarding cutting-edge technologies used in cyber security. STU’s MBA in Cyber Security Management program helps students develop this expertise by examining innovative technologies used by cyber security professionals and malicious cybercriminals alike. Artificial intelligence (AI) sits at the forefront among these innovations, central to today’s most advanced cyber security systems and programs.
What Is AI?
AI refers to computer programs that can do things previously thought to require human intelligence. AI and related concepts like machine learning, neural networks and large language models serve distinct but overlapping functions. Understanding those distinctions is essential for anyone working in cyber security.
Machine learning (ML) is a subset or branch of AI and refers to computers’ ability to train themselves without human intervention, using complex algorithms to analyze and learn from vast amounts of data. Large language models (LLMs) — the technology powering modern AI tools like generative AI chatbots — represent a recent evolution of this field, capable of understanding and producing human-like text, code and analysis at scale.
An artificial neural network (ANN) is an advanced type of deep learning and subset of ML. ANNs mimic the powerful neural networks of the human brain. The human brain can process and learn from immense amounts of integrated information gathered from many sensors (eyes, ears, skin, etc.). A neural network works similarly, integrating multiple layers of input from myriad sources to analyze, learn and make decisions.
What Does Cyber Security Protect Against?
Cyber security aims to protect the information assets of people, organizations and governments against attacks in cyber space. The current prevalence of cybercrime connects directly to the ever-increasing amount of data available via the internet and cloud services, social media platforms, internal networks, IoT devices and more.
There are many avenues for adversaries or “bad actors” to hack into such digital systems and access sensitive data. They may take advantage of vulnerabilities in a business’ building management system (BMS), a healthcare organization’s electronic health record system or a government agency’s database.
Personal digital devices and smart home devices can also be vulnerable to cyber threats. Ironically, even smart locks and home security systems may provide a cybercriminal with a virtual back door into someone’s private, sensitive data.
How Is AI Changing the Cyber Threat Landscape?
AI amplifies the threat landscape on both sides. According to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, vulnerability exploitation accounted for 40% of attacks observed in 2025, with AI tools accelerating how quickly attackers identify and exploit security gaps. Cyberattacks can threaten personal, business and national security, as evidenced by ongoing data breaches, ransomware incidents and nation-state hacking operations.
Generative AI introduced new categories of threats as well. Cybercriminals now use LLMs to craft convincing phishing campaigns at scale and deepfake technology to impersonate executives and authorize fraudulent transactions. Data from Sift’s Q2 2025 Digital Trust Index shows that generative AI-enabled scams rose 456% between May 2024 and April 2025, with over 82% of phishing emails created with AI assistance.
How Is AI Used in Cyber Security?
AI-powered threat detection transforms cyber defense by enabling security systems to predict, detect and counter threats in real time, far faster than human analysts can respond alone. AI-driven systems gather and process vast quantities of data exponentially faster than humans and excel at recognizing patterns or anomalous events with unprecedented speed.
Using ML, computer programs can also learn how to analyze security systems to identify vulnerabilities. AI tools support cyber “red teaming,” simulating complex cyberattacks to expose a system’s vulnerabilities. This helps cyber security professionals address potential problems before they turn into successful breaches.
How Does AI Secure Connected Networks and Devices?
Neural networks have immense potential in better securing interconnected networks and systems of devices like smart homes and other smart buildings. Using AI and the IoT, smart buildings can greatly improve efficiency, safety, convenience and security for people and businesses. Yet individual smart devices or components in such systems may lack adequate security, rendering the entire network vulnerable.
Neural network-based security programs monitor all components of a smart building system network for vulnerabilities and flag strange activity. System inputs and outputs are controlled to ensure only intended information flows in and out and all access remains authorized and secure.
AI Expertise Is Critical in Cyber Security
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released its Cyber AI Profile in late 2025, identifying three critical focus areas for organizations: Securing AI systems, conducting AI-enabled cyber defense and thwarting AI-enabled cyberattacks. AI innovations are central to the future of cyber security and individual, organizational and national security as a whole.
Professionals who understand both the defensive and offensive dimensions of AI are essential to that future. STU’s MBA in Cyber Security Management develops exactly that expertise, preparing graduates to lead in a field where the stakes grow higher every day.
Learn more about St. Thomas University’s online MBA with a specialization in Cyber Security Management program.
