“Microsoft unveiled a prototype for a new, fully autonomous AI agent today that can automate the biggest hurdles in detecting malware.

Why it matters: The tool is a breakthrough for cyber defenders, who spend hours studying and assessing suspicious files on their networks.

Zoom in: Microsoft’s new Project Ire can analyze and classify software ‘without assistance,’ according to a blog post published Tuesday.

That analysis and classification is the ‘gold standard’ for malware detection, the blog adds. 

Context: Typical malware detection relies on a skilled analyst who can take a potentially tainted software file and pick it apart until they uncover its origins.

This can take hours and be taxing for analysts, who might have to dig through hundreds of files to see if they’re malicious.”

From Axios.