HuntGPT: AI-Based Intrusion Detection Tool

In recent years, critical infrastructure has emerged as a prime target for cyberattacks, posing an ever-increasing threat. The projected yearly damages from cyberattacks are set to skyrocket, with estimates reaching a staggering USD 10.5 trillion by 2025, a sharp rise from the comparatively modest $3 trillion recorded in 2015. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) introduced a Cybersecurity Framework in 2014 to address these evolving threats.

Machine Learning Anomaly Detection in Cybersecurity

Machine learning-based anomaly detection tools have proven effective in uncovering both known and unknown threats, encompassing performance and security anomalies. However, their real-world application often increases false positives, presenting a challenge for cybersecurity professionals. Large Language Models (LLMs) are poised to revolutionize the field of cybersecurity by seamlessly integrating AI capabilities and reducing operational costs. Their adaptability and potential to facilitate actionable AI solutions make them valuable assets in the realm of threat response.

Introducing HuntGPT Intrusion Detection

Recently, cybersecurity analysts Tarek Ali and Panos Kostakos from the Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Center for Ubiquitous Computing at the University of Oulu introduced HutGPT, an AI-based intrusion detection tool. HuntGPT, equipped with a dashboard and a Random Forest classifier trained on KDD99, leverages eXplainable AI (XAI) frameworks like SHAP and Lime to enhance user-friendliness. With the incorporation of GPT-3.5 Turbo, it presents detected threats in an easily explainable format.

Cybersecurity Challenges for SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face formidable cybersecurity challenges due to factors such as budget constraints, staffing shortages, and limited time. Notably, a medium-sized Security Operations Center (SOC) team can cost a substantial $1,635,000, underscoring the pressing need for affordable cybersecurity solutions.

Large Language Models (LLMs) function as standalone tools, assisting in policy formulation and log parsing with remarkable accuracy. Moreover, there exists significant potential for LLMs like ChatGPT to enhance cyber hunting interfaces, providing insights to non-professionals, much like their application in other domains, such as financial knowledge transfer.

The Anomaly Detection Application Server and Its Sub-Modules

The Anomaly Detection Application Server plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the network anomaly detection process, utilizing integrated sub-modules. Key components of these sub-modules include the ML Model Loader, Elasticsearch Connector, Prediction, Explainer, Elasticsearch, and AWS S3 Bucket. The IDS Dashboard combines visualizations, AI explanations, and interactive conversations to empower users to make informed decisions regarding network anomalies in diverse scenarios. This includes activities like threat identification, incident classification, and model interpretability.

Also Read: Artificial Intelligence Is Seeping Into All of Your Gadgets

Effectiveness of HuntGPT in Intrusion Detection

The study underscores the effectiveness of HuntGPT, a prototype that seamlessly integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) with eXplainable AI (XAI) within intrusion detection systems. HuntGPT exhibited impressive cybersecurity knowledge, achieving success rates ranging from 72% to 82.5% on certification exams while also highlighting areas for improvement in fundamental cybersecurity concepts.