In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Adapt or Die: AI in Security Intelligence Work,” presented by Meredith Wilson, CEO at Emergent Risk International. Read on for what she had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2023!
Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar?
A: AI has the potential to change the way we think about – and do – almost everything, including every aspect of our jobs. For security professionals the uses – and potential misuses – are endless. At the same time, for some, the urge to ignore these rapid developments – either because the change is coming so fast that we can’t keep up, or because there is a fear that it could replace us – has to be put aside in order for us, our companies, personnel and those with whom we are charged with protecting to survive and thrive. There are so many layers of implications to think through and decisions to be made. No matter what kind of business you are in today, adapting to AI and understanding how to use it to your advantage is imperative. And yet, it’s also a major security concern – from the proliferation of disinformation and fraud to the dangers of misidentification and major cyberthreats. And as security professionals we have to be thinking about this in parallel. In this session, I will talk about some frameworks and buckets for thinking through all these layers and how we can take advantage of the promise of AI while staying vigilant and educating our workforce on some of the downsides at the same time.
Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?
A: Stay aware, broaden your base of information sources to ensure you are seeing this issue from as many angles as possible. Look for information from technology publications, think tanks, high-quality news publications, journals, and individuals with domain expertise on the topic. Be aware that disinformation and poor information sources are about to multiply exponentially – so it’s more important than ever to improve your capacity for seeking out high quality information sources and to know how to properly vet information. And don’t panic. We are all adapting to this at the same time, and we are all learning. The most important thing we can all do is continue to learn and think critically about what is unfolding.
Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years?
A: Really fast – and in some unpredictable ways. Like many other things we’ve experienced in the past decade, this will mark another massive change in space and time – potentially more than we’ve ever seen before. We won’t be able to control it, but we can control our reaction and preparation for it.
Q: Why do you attend GSX?
A: It’s a great event and an amazing opportunity to see what is happening in the world of industrial security. I love the opportunity to connect with so many security professionals with such a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives!