Tackling Cyberattacks through AI-based Reactive Systems: A Holistic Review and Future Vision

There is no denying that the use of Information Technology (IT) is undergoing exponential growth in today's world. This digital transformation has also given rise to a multitude of security challenges, notably in the realm of cybercrime. In response to these growing threats, public and private sectors have prioritized the strengthening of IT security measures. In light of the growing security concern, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained prominence within the cybersecurity landscape. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in AI-driven threat response systems. To the best of our knowledge, the most recent survey covering the AI reaction domain was conducted in 2017. Since then, considerable literature has been published and therefore it is worth reviewing it. By means of several shared features, each of the studies is compared on a common ground. Through an analysis of the research papers conducted on a standardized basis, this survey aims to unravel the complexities and opportunities of integrating AI into cyber defense. The conclusions drawn from this collective analysis provide a comprehensive snapshot of the evolving landscape at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. This landscape underscores the growing significance of not only anticipating and detecting threats but also responding to them effectively. Additionally, from these reviews, various research challenges for the future are presented. These challenges serve as a roadmap for researchers and practitioners in the field of AI-integrated reactive strategies.