8 Notes on the future of cybersecurity

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This week we’re focused on…

The future of cybersecurity. 

Why? 

At Black Hat MEA 2024 we asked loads of cybersecurity practitioners to share one key message they’d like everyone to take away about the future of cybersecurity. 

Here are eight of the notes our speakers left for you (you being the global cybersecurity community). 

1. We need to leverage the best of machines and humans together. 

Jennifer Ewbank (Founder of Andaman Strategic Advisors, former Deputy Director of Digital Innovation for the CIA) said:

“The future of cybersecurity, in my opinion, is really all about this idea of humans and machines partnering together. You can’t possibly scale with humans alone in this dynamic environment where threats are coming very fast and at higher volume every single day. We really have to figure out how to leverage the best of machines for speed and scale, and then humans for expertise, insight and critical thinking.” 

2. Plans should be written in pencil, not pen. 

Adam Holland (CISO at Wendy’s) said: 

“Change. You have to be comfortable with it. You need to make your plans and have one, but use a pencil and not a pen. You need to be able to adjust, to change; because of the demands of our business, the threat landscape, what our customer’s expectations are; and then all of the new emerging technologies that are coming at us at a speed we’ve never seen before. Be prepared for change, embrace it, and use it to your advantage.” 

3. AI is the future of cybersecurity. 

Ramy Houssaini (Chair of the Cyber Poverty Line Institute) said: 

“I think AI is the future of cybersecurity – and at the same time it’s a big challenge for us. So definitely AI is something we need to take advantage of, but we also need to make sure we are constantly educating ourselves in terms of the evolution of AI, how it's being used, and make sure we can make the most of it while managing the risks.” 

4. Data and AI will be at the heart of cyber’s future. 

Chris Carter (aka Umar - Head of Cybersecurity at Captive Resources) said:

“Data is going to be a big part, AI is going to be a big part, so we have to work together to make sure that our data is secure and we’re responsibly protecting that data – whether it’s with AI or traditional methods.” 

5. Community and events like Black Hat MEA are key to a strong future. 

Gary Hayslip (Global CISO at Softbank Investment Advisors) said:

“Cyber is constantly changing. It's never in a state of no change, always in flux. And it’s conferences like this, where you’re able to go in and see this change, see the threats and the technologies – this is where you want to come. You want to be here for the community.” 

6. Collaboration is essential – don’t be on your own. 

Umer Khan (CIO and SVP of Software at Relativity Space) said: 

“One key message that I would like to leave for people in cybersecurity is to collaborate. Work together, don't be on your own, share, learn from others, be curious – and work together to solve problems.” 

7. The fundamentals will always matter. 

Allan Alford (CEO at Alford and Adams consulting) said: 

“The future of cybersecurity is something we always have to think about in terms of the change that cybersecurity represents. It’s an ever-moving target, we’re always facing new technologies and techniques – the bad guys are always coming up with something different every day. In spite of all that, the key message I have for everyone is don’t skip the fundamentals. Don’t skip the stuff that you really need to be doing every day. People, process, technology — people and process can win the day regardless of what the changes in technology might be.” 

8. The future of cybersecurity is bright. 

Kirsten Davies (Global CISO and Founder and CEO of the Institute for Cyber Civics) said:

“I think the future of cybersecurity is bright. Even though we deal with the dark web, so it’s a bit of a juxtaposition – but the reason I say it’s bright is, you know, the attacks are growing, they’re more prevalent than ever, there’s greater velocity, greater sped, greater confidence and capability of the threat actors themselves. So on the defence side the future’s actually very bright. We need innovation, we need new technologies, we need new tactics and techniques – and the only way we do that is by working together, collaborating together, and keeping a huge eye on the future.” 

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about the future of cybersecurity? 

We want to hear your perspective.

Until next week. 

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