Attackers don’t need new malware—they’re turning your systems against you, blending into the shadows of your environment through stealthy Living off the Land (LotL) tactics. These threats exploit legitimate tools already embedded in your systems, making them virtually invisible to traditional defences. As these tactics evolve, only advanced threat detection tools and AI-driven solutions can keep up.
In our latest CheckItOut podcast, cyber security experts Stephen Moore from Exabeam and The Missing Link's, Thomas Naylor, discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are reshaping the way we detect and respond to these hidden threats. AI and machine learning can spot the smallest irregularities in user behaviour and uncover the subtle tactics that LotL attackers rely on to avoid detection.
This new wave of AI-driven defence can provide the edge your organisation needs to outsmart even the stealthiest of attackers. Let’s examine how these technologies are reshaping cyber security and closing the gaps that traditional defences leave exposed.
How AI and machine learning transform detection
AI doesn’t just enhance existing detection capabilities—it introduces a revolutionary approach. By studying and understanding normal behaviours, AI enables security teams to spot irregularities that traditional cyber security best practices would overlook, giving your organisation the edge over sophisticated threats. Advanced threat detection tools powered by AI continuously analyse vast data in real-time, recognising subtle deviations in behaviour that could signal a Living off the Land (LotL) attack.
AI-driven tools establish behavioural baselines for each user, system, and process, enabling them to spot LotL tactics that evade traditional systems. For example, by building a profile of typical activity patterns, AI can detect unusual access times or file movements that might otherwise slip through unnoticed.
Tools like Exabeam’s AI-powered platform enhance visibility by contextualising user behaviour, a crucial advantage in identifying LotL attackers. With these advanced technologies, organisations gain deeper insights into everyday activities, allowing security teams to track LotL attacks more effectively and respond before they escalate.
Key AI techniques in LotL detection
AI and machine learning offer critical advantages in detecting Living off the Land (LotL) attacks by analysing user behaviour and identifying deviations from established patterns. In the podcast, it was highlighted that these technologies enhance the ability to spot hidden threats by continuously monitoring typical behaviours, which is crucial for detecting LotL tactics.
- Behavioural analysis: AI-driven tools continuously observe and learn user and system behaviour patterns within an organisation. By establishing a baseline for what’s “normal,” AI can quickly flag actions that deviate from expected patterns. For example, if a user who typically accesses certain resources during standard hours suddenly starts accessing sensitive files at unusual times, this could signal a LotL attack.
- Broad behaviour profiling: Instead of relying on detailed credential checks, AI monitors access patterns and activity times, making it easier to identify when attackers attempt to use authorised credentials to gain unauthorised access, enabling early detection of LotL tactics.
These AI-driven techniques provide security teams with visibility into subtle indicators of LotL attacks. By identifying deviations from normal behaviour, AI enables a proactive response, helping organisations stay ahead of attackers who rely on stealth and familiar tools to operate undetected.
Real-time detection and reducing alert fatigue
AI and machine learning have transformed real-time detection capabilities, empowering security teams to respond instantly to subtle LotL tactics. Traditional security tools often generate overwhelming numbers of alerts, increasing the risk of alert fatigue where critical issues may go unnoticed.
AI actively cuts through alert noise by intelligently filtering out false positives and identifying genuine high-risk threats, allowing SOC analysts to prioritise their response. By offering improved clarity on potential threats, Exabeam’s AI-powered platform along with The Missing Link’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, enables SOC teams to detect and address LotL attacks in real-time. This combined approach improves response times and strengthens an organisation’s overall security posture by allowing security teams to focus on genuine risks instead of sifting through benign alerts.
The future of AI in cyber security
AI is already reshaping cyber security by acting as an “augmented analyst” during off-hours, addressing one of the biggest challenges for Security Operations Centres (SOCs): maintaining continuous, effective monitoring when human resources are limited. AI-driven tools can learn from the patterns and decisions of human analysts, enabling them to provide seamless coverage at any hour. This means that SOCs can operate around the clock with AI stepping in as a digital analyst, learning from human behaviours and escalating issues only when necessary.
Additionally, emerging AI features are expected to make detection processes more intuitive. The podcast hinted at future capabilities where AI will enable analysts to query risk more directly, reducing the complexity of finding crucial information. This would make it easier for SOC teams to interact with AI, enhancing response times and making detection more accessible. Security awareness training will also play a vital role in ensuring human teams can leverage these advancements to their fullest potential.
These advancements point to a future where AI doesn’t just assist human analysts but actively learns and adapts, providing continuous support and making security monitoring more effective and intuitive. Security awareness training will also play a vital role in ensuring human teams can leverage these advancements to their fullest potential.
Building a resilient defence with AI
As cyber threats become more sophisticated, traditional defences are no longer enough to protect against stealthy tactics like Living off the Land (LotL) attacks. AI and machine learning offer a powerful solution, enabling organisations to detect subtle deviations in behaviour, reduce alert fatigue, and maintain continuous monitoring. By leveraging AI’s advanced capabilities, security teams gain the insight and agility needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.
For more expert insights on how AI and machine learning are enhancing LotL detection, listen to our full podcast episode. Discover the latest tools and strategies to strengthen your organisation's cyber security and stay protected against today’s most deceptive cyber threats.
