Introducing the statistical foundation

In the increasingly data-driven world of cybersecurity, the role of AI has become central to detecting, analyzing, and mitigating cyber threats. With this reliance on AI, it becomes critically important for cybersecurity professionals to understand the underlying statistical foundations that power these technologies. Statistical literacy is not just useful; it’s a fundamental part of ensuring that AI tools function correctly and effectively.

One of the most common pitfalls in statistical analysis is confusing correlation with causation. While two variables may appear to move in tandem, this does not necessarily mean that one causes the other. This distinction is vital in cybersecurity, where the stakes are high, and decisions need to be based on accurate interpretations of data. For instance, it might be important to identify whether increased network traffic is a root cause of system performance issues or whether they are just correlated...