AI and Cybersecurity: Leveraging Innovation to Outpace Threats

The webinar delves into the dual-edged nature of technological advancements, particularly AI, and their implications for cybersecurity. Cybercriminals often adopt new technologies swiftly due to fewer constraints, posing significant threats, as illustrated by the potential misuse of AI to create convincingly realistic deepfakes. Steve Morgan, founder of Cybersecurity Ventures, converses with Gordon Lawson, CEO at Conceal, and Mark McLaughlin, Chairman of the Board at Qualcomm, to explore the advancements and challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.

The dialogue covers the progress made against cybercrime, highlighting improved awareness, strengthened public-private partnerships, and international collaboration. Mark reflects on his involvement with the Girl Scouts’ cybersecurity badges initiative, which has successfully introduced over 300,000 girls to cyber fundamentals, marking a step towards addressing the talent shortage and diversity issues in cybersecurity.

The discussion shifts to the crucial role of AI in both aiding cybercriminal activities and bolstering defenses. Gordon Lawson emphasizes the need for increased awareness and investment in cybersecurity technologies and talent, especially in areas outside traditional tech hubs. Mark stresses the importance of raising the cost and complexity for adversaries to conduct successful cyberattacks, effectively reducing the number of low-level threats and focusing efforts on sophisticated entities, which may include nation-state actors.

Mark and Gordon agree on the urgency to integrate AI discussions into corporate strategies to stay ahead of threat actors. The session concludes by underscoring the importance of proactive engagement with AI to mitigate sophisticated threats, such as deepfake-enabled social engineering attacks, and harness its potential for enhancing cybersecurity measures.