AI and Keeping an “Always On” Mentality

February 13, 2025

The Wake-Up Call for AI Security

Keeping an “always on” mentality when it comes to AI security is crucial for maintaining vigilance, ensuring that threats are identified and addressed before they become major risks. This was demonstrated earlier this year when the AI world was buzzing with the announcement of DeepSeek. The company made waves with claims of being faster, cheaper and a serious competitor in the AI space. Naturally, AI researchers, developers and tech enthusiasts jumped at the chance to explore what DeepSeek had to offer. Among them were security researchers who, instead of just testing the AI’s capabilities, uncovered a major security flaw.

 

Now, this blog isn’t about DeepSeek’s security issues specifically. But their situation is a perfect example of why AI security needs to be taken seriously – from all angles. Whether you’re an employer worried about protecting sensitive data, a business integrating AI into daily operations or a developer building the next big AI-powered tool, security should be a top priority. DeepSeek’s story is just one of many that highlight the risks of overlooking cybersecurity in AI and it’s a reminder that having the right security measures, and the right cybersecurity partner, can make all the difference.

 

 

Keeping an “Always On” Mentality

As AI continues to evolve at record speed, the race to adopt the latest innovations is more intense than ever. Businesses, developers and researchers are all trying to stay ahead, experimenting with new AI models and integrating them into everyday workflows. But in the rush to keep up with the hype, one crucial element often takes a backseat: security.

 

AI security isn’t something that can be treated as a one-time setup or an afterthought. It requires an “always on” mentality – constant vigilance, proactive monitoring and a mindset that assumes threats are always lurking. Unlike traditional software, AI models continuously learn, adapt and interact with new data, making them dynamic targets for cyber threats. If security isn’t prioritized at every stage, vulnerabilities can emerge without warning, leading to data breaches, model manipulation and/or unauthorized access.

 

 

What Does an “Always On” AI Security Approach Look Like?

To truly embrace this mindset, organizations need to implement continuous security measures rather than occasional audits or reactive fixes. Here are some key ways to maintain an “always on” approach to AI security:

 

Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection


  • Systems should be actively monitored for anomalies, unauthorized access or unusual behavior
  • Implement AI-driven security tools that can detect and respond to threats in real time, ensuring proactive risk mitigation

 

Securing AI Data and Development Practices


  • Ensure security is embedded into the AI development lifecycle, from data collection to deployment
  • AI models often rely on vast amounts of data, which must be protected through strong encryption, strict access controls and data governance policies

 

User Awareness and Training


  • Employees and developers should be trained to recognize security risks, such as data poisoning, adversarial attacks and model theft
  • Establish clear guidelines for securely using AI tools within the organization, including role-based access control and secure AI usage

 

Partnering with Cybersecurity Experts


  • AI security is complex and ever-changing and working cybersecurity partner like Optiv can provide specialized expertise, advanced threat intelligence and stronger protection
  • Engaging managed security services can help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats by providing continuous monitoring, compliance support and risk management without overburdening internal teams

 

Organizations must shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, treating AI security as an ongoing process rather than a one-time concern. The “always on” mentality ensures that security is a built-in function, not an afterthought. By continuously monitoring, auditing and securing AI systems, businesses can harness the power of AI safely without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.

 

 

Build the Future of AI with Application Security

Application Security should be a key focus for organizations using AI. By integrating security into every stage of the software lifecycle, companies can reduce risks and ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed proactively. AI tools in AppSec can automate vulnerability scanning, prioritize critical issues and enable faster patching, reducing exposure to cyber threats.

 

At Optiv, Application Security integrates advanced AI tools into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and threat modeling processes to proactively safeguard businesses against security risks. By automating security checks and identifying vulnerabilities early, AppSec minimizes costly post-deployment fixes and ensures compliance from the start.

 

Threat modeling within AppSec further enhances security by mapping potential attack scenarios, prioritizing risks and crafting tailored mitigation strategies. This dual approach not only protects sensitive data but also prevents reputational damage and financial losses. As recent events have shown, investing in security upfront is far more cost-effective than reacting to a crisis later.

 

Every AI application, no matter how groundbreaking, is a potential target for cyber threats. We have seen it with DeepSeek and we will see it again; without strong application security, vulnerabilities can be exploited, data can be compromised and trust can be lost.

 

Optiv is here to ensure that AI innovation happens safely. We help developers build security into their applications from day one, researchers protect their valuable data and businesses safeguard their AI-powered tools. Whether it’s securing APIs, protecting training data or defending against AI-specific threats, Optiv provides the expertise and solutions needed to keep AI applications secure. The future of AI is bright – but only if it’s built on a strong foundation of security.

By:
Danny Cohen
AI Principal Consultant for Application Security | Optiv

Optiv Security: Secure greatness.®

Optiv is the cyber advisory and solutions leader, delivering strategic and technical expertise to nearly 6,000 companies across every major industry. We partner with organizations to advise, deploy and operate complete cybersecurity programs from strategy and managed security services to risk, integration and technology solutions. With clients at the center of our unmatched ecosystem of people, products, partners and programs, we accelerate business progress like no other company can. At Optiv, we manage cyber risk so you can secure your full potential. For more information, visit www.optiv.com.

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