Page 61 - Cyber Defense eMagazine June 2024

authenticated users are subject to ongoing scrutiny, minimizing the risk of insider threats or unauthorized
access.

Powered by ML algorithms, AI undertakes the monumental task of sifting through immense volumes of
data in real-time, discerning subtle anomalies that may signify potential security breaches within
segmented environments. AI can identify unusual behaviors of a system’s peers (who they are talking
to) and evaluations of exactly what is happening at the application level (what they are saying). AI
solutions are ideally suited for this kind of problem that has multidimensional input and requires multi-
dimensional output values that make up system identity.

AI assumes a pivotal role in ZTS frameworks by automating policy enforcement and fostering adaptive
access controls. Through continual monitoring and analysis of network traffic, user behavior, and device
attributes, AI-driven solutions exhibit a dynamic prowess, capable of adjusting access privileges in
response to evolving risk factors.

This seamless integration of AI with ZTS not only enhances the agility and efficacy of cyber defenses but
also underscores a proactive stance against emerging threats in today's ever-evolving digital landscape.

The fusion of AI and ZTS presents an effective strategy for reinforcing cyber defenses amidst the ever-
changing threat landscape. By integrating AI's sophisticated threat detection capabilities and its capacity
to automate policy enforcement, agencies can fortify the foundational principles of ZTS and enhance
cyber resilience.

As agencies grapple with the complexities of the cyber realm, harnessing AI as the ultimate defense tool
empowers them to not only thwart adversaries, but also to maintain a strategic advantage in the ongoing
cyber arms race. Despite the evolving landscape of cyber threats driven by emerging technologies
utilized by attackers, agencies can harness these very technologies to fortify their resilience and security
posture, enabling them to adeptly navigate this dynamic and relentless realm of cybersecurity.

About the Author
Gary Barlet is the Federal Chief Technology Officer at Illumio, where he is
responsible for working with government agencies, contractors and the
broader ecosystem to build in Zero Trust Segmentation as a strategic
component of the government Zero Trust architecture. Previously, Gary
served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Office of the Inspector
General, United States Postal Service. He has held key positions on several
CIO staffs, including the Chief of Ground Networks for the Air Force CIO and
Chief of Networks for the Air National Guard CIO, where he was responsible
for information technology policy and providing technical expertise to senior
leadership. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air
Force, where he served as a Cyberspace Operations Officer for 20 years. Gary can be reached online at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-barlet-4384115/ and at our company website https://www.illumio.com/

Cyber Defense eMagazine – June 2024 Edition 61
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