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Winning the war on ransomware with AI: Four real-world use cases. AI is your secret weapon against ransomware crooks. Here's how to use it. Partner Content Cybercriminals are evolving, and so are the tools to stop them. As AI becomes more accessible, attackers are sharpening their tactics. But here's the good news: defenders are, too. AI is no longer a buzzword; it's a frontline weapon in the fight against ransomware. According to Delinea's 2025 State of Ransomware Report, 90% of IT security teams are already using AI to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. So, what does that look like in practice? Let's explore four powerful ways organizations are using AI to detect, disrupt, and defend against ransomware. 1. Supercharging SOC efficiency Security Operations Centers (SOCs) are the mission control hubs of cybersecurity. But with resource constraints, alert fatigue, and a constant stream of threats, even the best SOCs can fall behind. AI is transforming how these teams operate by blocking out the noise. These systems can analyze alerts in real time, prioritize incidents based on severity, and free up analysts to focus on strategic response. The result is fast resolution, fewer blind spots, and more proactive threat hunting. It doesn't stop there. Advanced AI can even mimic senior analysts to correlate patterns, suggest responses, and flag high-risk anomalies before they escalate. When it comes to ransomware, that speed and precision can make all the difference. 2. Detecting IOCs at scale Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) are the digital warning signs that something isn't right, whether it's unusual logins, strange file changes, or suspicious traffic. The challenge? Sifting through mountains of data to find them. Enter AI. More than 60% of organizations now use AI to identify IoCs faster and more accurately. These systems excel at scanning massive datasets, filtering out noise, and zeroing in on the signals that matter. Through AI-enabled technology, teams can detect and respond to ransomware threats before they take hold, minimizing damage and downtime. 3. Stopping phishing before it hooks you Phishing remains a favorite tactic among ransomware operators. It's low effort, high reward, and effective. AI is proving to be a formidable defense shield. Today's AI models can analyze email patterns, flag suspicious behavior, and catch phishing attempts in real time. From detecting tone anomalies and spoofed addresses to scanning shady links, AI helps stop social engineering in its tracks. AI is also revolutionizing security awareness training. By generating realistic phishing simulations and tracking employee responses, organizations can fine-tune training efforts, close knowledge gaps, and build a stronger human firewall. 4. Reinventing identity security with smarter IAM and PAM Ransomware attackers don't just exploit vulnerabilities; they exploit access. That's why AI is reshaping identity and access management (IAM) and privileged access management (PAM). With AI, organizations can automate critical IAM and PAM functions like user provisioning, access reviews, and anomaly detection. This reduces the risk of human error while ensuring only the right users get the right access at the right time. AI also enhances session monitoring, flagging deviations in privileged behavior and identifying potential insider threats. With intelligent policy enforcement, AI can help dynamically adjust permissions to keep systems secure and compliant without slowing teams down. Turning the tables on ransomware AI isn't just helping cybersecurity teams catch up, it's helping them get ahead. From smarter SOC operations to more resilient identity security, this technology is giving defenders the edge they need to outpace ransomware actors. Want the full picture? Download the Delinea 2025 State of Ransomware Report for expert insights, actionable data, and the strategies organizations are using to stay ahead of attacks. Contributed by Delinea.