Enhancing Cyber-Resilience Training through HTB AI Range Experiments

HTB, known as Hack The Box, a leading cybersecurity training provider, has introduced the HTB AI Range, a platform designed to enable organizations to test autonomous AI security agents in real-world scenarios with oversight from human cybersecurity experts. The primary objective of this initiative is to help users evaluate the effectiveness of AI and mixed human-AI teams in defending infrastructure.

The HTB AI Range addresses the need to assess vulnerabilities in AI models in addition to those present in traditional IT environments. By providing a testing environment where AI agents and human defenders can collaborate under realistic conditions, HTB aims to measure their cybersecurity capabilities before deploying AI-based security tools.

Understanding How HTB AI Range Operates

Described as a simulation of enterprise complexity, the AI Range features numerous offensive and defensive targets that are regularly updated. It aligns with established cyber frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, NIST/NICE guidelines, and OWASP Top 10, offering users a comprehensive testing environment.

According to HTB, in recent AI vs. human capture the flag (CTF) exercises, autonomous AI agents successfully completed 19 out of 20 basic challenges. However, human teams outperformed the AI agents in multi-step challenges within more intricate environments.

The company highlights the limitations of AI in handling complexity and multi-stage operations, emphasizing the indispensable role of human expertise, particularly in high-stakes or complex scenarios.

Assessing and Addressing the Skills Gap

Enterprises can leverage the AI Range to validate the effectiveness of existing security measures against AI-powered threats, provide cybersecurity teams with practical experience in dealing with such threats, and enhance the resilience of cybersecurity tools utilizing agentic AI. HTB suggests that these exercises can serve as justification for cybersecurity investments to financial decision-makers.

HTB’s AI Range supports continuous testing and validation of cybersecurity defenses, promoting a proactive approach over static audits or pen-testing exercises. This approach aligns with a CTEM model (continuous threat exposure management), ensuring ongoing security readiness.

HTB is set to introduce an AI Red Teamer Certification early next year to quantify the skills required for strengthening AI defenses.

As AI cyber-ranges evolve, they are poised to become integral components of layered security and resilience offerings. With the maturation of AI and the adoption of frameworks like MITRE ATLAS, platforms like HTB’s AI Range could become standard elements in enterprise security strategies.

Chief Product Officer at Hack The Box, Gerasimos Marketos, states, “Hack The Box serves as a platform where AI agents and humans collaborate under pressure, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Continuous validation of AI systems in real-world contexts is essential, highlighting the ongoing importance of human oversight. HTB AI Range facilitates this crucial interaction.”

CEO and Founder of Hack The Box, Haris Pylarinos, adds, “Our focus on AI-driven learning paths, labs, and research over the past two years has positioned us to lead in the realm of AI cybersecurity. With HTB AI Range, we are not merely reacting to AI’s impact on cybersecurity; we are actively shaping the future of defense in tandem with AI advancements. Our approach to cybersecurity is rooted in mastery and collaboration, driving progress in the field.”

(Image source: “The main cast” by Tim Dorr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

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