In late 2023, I wrote an article evaluating how nicely ChatGPT and Google Bard deal with writing safety insurance policies. On condition that ChatGPT 4.0 has been obtainable as a paid model, known as ChatGPT Plus, for a while now, and Google lately rebranded Google Bard as Gemini (with Gemini Superior obtainable as paid providing), it is a good time to match how the 2 carry out in a head-to-head of the highest 10 use instances for data safety professionals.
Earlier than we soar in, the same old generative synthetic intelligence (AI) caveats apply: Watch out of the information you punch in and bear in mind the output could not at all times be dependable.
1. Producing Diagrams or Idea Flows
Each instruments declare to have the ability to generate diagrams and idea flows. Nevertheless, Gemini admits it may possibly solely generate ASCII diagrams, pointing you to extra skilled instruments if you need one thing higher. I requested each instruments to generate a diagram to clarify the OAuth authentication move.
Gemini whereas represented in ASCII, does the job and breaks it down into usable classes.
ChatGPT hallucinates badly. At first look, whereas the picture appears skilled, it would not symbolize OAuth in any respect. The wording is nonsensical, misspelled, or downright illegible: Authiration and Athoricazt anybody?
2. Explaining Structure Diagrams
Each instruments can ingest diagrams and clarify what is going on on. The outcomes are a lot better than what occurs while you ask them to generate diagrams. As enter, I used an instance Net utility firewall (WAF) structure from Edgenexus.
Google Gemini is a lot better at explaining structure diagrams as a result of it is succinct. ChatGPT will do the job simply tremendous; it is only a tad wordy.
3. Decoding Exploit Code
A typical safety operations (SecOps) exercise is attempting to determine what a selected malware or exploit code does. I took a current Elasticsearch stack overflow public exploit and fed it into every instrument to see what it understood. There isn’t any clear winner: Each instruments determine the exploit accurately and clarify the tip outcome, what every portion of the code does, and the way it works.
4. Decoding Log Information
SecOps professionals typically want to determine what the heck is happening in log information. I fed each instruments an instance CEF format log file of an tried breach and requested every to clarify what is going on on. Gemini explains it higher, summarizing nicely and even suggesting follow-up steps. It additionally clearly states what occurred (tried entry of /and so forth/passwd) proper in the beginning and elaborates on the way it got here to that conclusion. Whereas ChatGPT arrives on the identical conclusion, it’s method too verbose.
5. Writing Insurance policies and Safety Documentation
I will not elaborate an excessive amount of on this and can as an alternative refer you to my earlier article on this subject. I ran the take a look at once more with Gemini, and the outcomes are according to Bard’s: Gemini clearly understands and generates higher safety documentation than ChatGPT.
6. Figuring out Susceptible Code
Whereas these instruments weren’t designed for (and should not be used for) figuring out susceptible code, they’ll nonetheless do an enough job. I made a decision to check it by feeding each instruments an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) vulnerability instance in Python, which additionally comprises a SQL injection.
ChatGPT accurately recognized each vulnerabilities and the shortage of authentication. Gemini missed the IDOR however identified the SQL injection and went a step additional to suggest amended code to repair the vulnerability. ChatGPT also can do that, but it surely have to be prompted to take action.
7. Writing Scripts and Code
A typical safety operations middle (SOC) exercise is writing scripts for log parsing or knowledge manipulation. I gave each instruments the next immediate:
“Write me a Python script that extracts all IPv6 addresses from a txt enter file, removes all duplicates, does a lookup to geo-locate and determine the proprietor of the IP, and output the lead to a CSV file”
There isn’t any clear winner right here; each instruments produce clear, readable code that works and explains what it does.
8. Analyzing Knowledge and Metrics
I additionally examined whether or not these instruments may assist with analyzing knowledge or safety metrics. Gemini is an enormous loser right here as a result of it would not do it in any respect — it may possibly solely information you thru how do that in Excel and Energy BI. ChatGPT has the benefit via its Knowledge Analyst plug-in, which ingests Excel information to generate any graphs you need. It even suggests visualization sorts, and you’ll modify a graph’s design, together with coloration, axes, and labels, via the immediate.
9. Writing Consumer Consciousness Messages
Each instruments also can generate emails for safety consciousness campaigns. I gave each the next immediate: “Generate an electronic mail used for a safety consciousness marketing campaign. Be humorous and sarcastic. Remind individuals why they should not click on on random emails from random individuals.”
Gemini wins right here — its electronic mail is temporary, has the best tone, and (though humor is subjective) I discovered it barely funnier. ChatGPT nonetheless generates the best tone and electronic mail, however I discovered it a tad too lengthy for an consciousness electronic mail. Both method, each instruments do an excellent job.
10. Decoding Compliance Frameworks
When you have a fast query about learn how to implement a compliance framework, these instruments can positively assist. Whilst you could not do that typically, they’re very helpful while you want it.
Should you’ve ever argued with somebody about what constitutes a “vital” change below PCI-DSS and the way it must be utilized, you are not alone. I prompted every instrument with:
“Clarify the idea of ‘vital change’ within the context of PCI-DSS. What constitutes a serious change often? Listing the precise requirement from the usual as nicely”
Gemini has the higher hand: It accurately lists the precise necessities from the usual (reminiscent of 6.4.5 and 6.4.6) and learn how to interpret whether or not one thing is a big change. ChatGPT would not point out precisely the place this data seems in the usual.
Which AI Is Higher, ChatGPT or Gemini?
There you’ve it. Relying in your use case, both instrument generally is a useful ally in boosting productiveness and serving to you in your day-to-day actions within the infosec trenches.
