Convergint unveiled “The Path to Intelligent Security,” a framework for advancing AI-enabled security operations. The report outlines five levels for advancing AI-enabled security operations: detect, describe, explain, recommend and act.

The pressure and race to have an AI strategy for the security program is a standing agenda item. But confusion abounds around what capabilities matter, can require nonexistent foundations, and how to move from product announcements to operational outcomes is unclear.

The Path to Intelligent Security framework provides what has been missing to measure turning available capability into realized outcome. It is a five-level progression designed to be applied per use case, measured against operational and business outcomes, and advanced at a pace the organization’s data, people and governance structures can sustain. It provides the industry with a long-needed foundation and shared vocabulary to measure maturity. It moves the conversation from vague terms like “AI-enabled” to specific, auditable capabilities.

According to the report, most organizations operate at level one or two (detect and/or describe) across most use cases. However, the report says the strategic returns (i.e. cost reduction, risk prevention, compliance readiness, operational scalability, etc.) do not fully materialize until level three and above. Thus, organizations are missing out on true value by not building upon AI-enabled operations.

The full report is available online.