With cyber threats on the rise, many organizations still turn to security consultants to strengthen their defenses. While the expertise of a consultant can be invaluable, the question is whether the same work could be done faster and with greater accuracy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to make that possible. What once depended on lengthy assessments and static reports can now be supported by technology that provides insight in real time, raising the bar for how companies approach security.
Security is not a single measure like a camera or a firewall. It touches every part of a business, from how employees log in to their computers to how sensitive data is stored and shared. Because threats and regulations evolve constantly, security practices need to be updated with the same frequency.
For many organizations, turning to external consultants is a natural step. They provide expertise, an outside perspective, and structured processes that internal teams may not have the capacity to deliver.
At the same time, stronger security depends on more than periodic check-ins. Companies need to consider how often risks are revisited, how quickly new insights are acted on, and whether their current approach can scale as the business and regulatory environment evolve.
Traditional consultancy has its limits. For many companies, security assessments are scheduled at fixed intervals, most often on an annual or biannual basis. These reviews may take the form of risk, maturity, or gap analyses, and are typically conducted by an external team that provides an independent view of a company’s practices and systems.
The process can extend over weeks or even months as consultants collect information, interview stakeholders, and review technical environments before benchmarking results against regulations, standards, and the broader security landscape. The final deliverable offers a snapshot in time, but by the time it is completed, the company’s context may already have shifted.
AI is beginning to take over parts of the work that consultants have traditionally managed. Instead of relying on scheduled reviews and lengthy assessments, AI can analyse large volumes of data continuously, giving companies a living picture of their security posture. Tasks like collecting evidence, benchmarking against regulations, and identifying vulnerabilities that once took weeks can now be automated and delivered in near real time.
This shift allows organizations to move beyond the limits of consultancy. AI provides continuous insight that aligns security with the realities of everyday business, while also easing pressure on limited security staff and reducing the risk of human error.
The practical impact of AI is easiest to see in the specific areas where it is already replacing traditional consultancy methods:
Together, these capabilities reduce the need for human-led assessments. Instead of waiting months for the next audit, organizations can act on intelligence as it emerges.
AI is beginning to reshape how organizations approach security. It is already taking on many of the tasks once handled by consultants, from monitoring systems to identifying risks in real time. But AI is not perfect. Its effectiveness depends on the quality of the data it receives, and it still requires oversight to ensure results are accurate and relevant.
Organizations should also recognize that AI cannot yet provide the same level of judgment or context that humans bring. Interpreting complex risks, aligning security with business strategy, and navigating new regulations remain areas where expertise is needed. Over time, though, these boundaries will continue to narrow as the technology evolves.
However, what is clear is that the balance of security work is shifting. As AI continues to mature, it will take on a bigger role in security operations and reduce the reliance on traditional consultancy.
We are only scratching the surface of what AI can do for security. For the full story, look out for our upcoming white paper.