CIO100: The Future Of Cybersecurity

The world is grappling with an alarming surge in cyberattacks, with incidents doubling globally to a staggering 600 million per day, as revealed by Microsoft’s 2024 Digital Defence Report. This concerning trend underscores the critical need for organizations to strengthen their defences against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

On the second day of the CIO100 Symposium and Awards, hosted by dx5 in Naivasha, Kenya, Hasmukh Chudasama, General Manager – East & Southern Africa at BUI, addressed the pressing topic of “The Future of Cybersecurity: The Role of AI and Automation.”

Chudasama painted a picture of the cybersecurity landscape highlighting the increasing incidences of cyberattacks globally. He emphasized that cybercrime now ranks as the third-largest economy globally, stating, “Cybercriminals try to outdo themselves. The cybercrime industry even has an employee of the month.”

One of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity, according to Chudasama, is the dual-edged role of artificial intelligence. While AI enhances the ability to counter cyber threats, it also empowers cybercriminals to devise more sophisticated attacks. He urged organizations to adopt AI-enabled tools as a critical component of their cybersecurity strategies.

Chudasama also called for a shift in perspective, describing cybersecurity as an ongoing battle rather than a finite challenge. He explained, “Cybersecurity is an infinite game. It’s a mindset. You have to change your mindset. There are no winners. It’s a game that you need to continue playing because players keep changing. Cybersecurity is not a problem we need to solve; it’s a problem we need to manage.”

Highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity roles within organizations, Chudasama predicted that cybercrime would increasingly dominate boardroom discussions. He noted the rising demand for cybersecurity talent and emphasized that corporate leaders are now being held accountable for their organization’s cyber defences.

The CIO100 Symposium & Awards, organized by dx5, serves as a platform for celebrating excellence in IT leadership and innovation. The event is designed to empower IT leaders and their teams through keynotes, roundtables, networking opportunities, and expert presentations.