Sean Cleary, Partner & Head of Riviera’s Cybersecurity practice shares his perspective on three traits companies should prioritize in the AI-driven world.
Takeaways
- Cybersecurity leadership must evolve: Generative AI is changing how companies and hackers operate, demanding new skills and traits from cybersecurity leaders.
- Three essential traits for success: Today’s leaders need a holistic understanding of AI, an innovation-driven mindset, and strong ethical leadership to navigate this complex landscape.
- Strategic hiring is critical: Expanding your candidate search and leveraging specialized expertise can help identify leaders capable of protecting your organization in an AI-driven world.
The generative AI (GenAI) revolution is reshaping industries, and its impact on cybersecurity is profound. AI is transforming business operations—and how cybercriminals launch attacks. With hackers using AI to create smarter threats and AI-driven security tools evolving rapidly, companies are moving to rethink their cybersecurity leadership strategies.
The skills that made a great cybersecurity leader five years ago aren’t enough anymore. To safeguard against today’s risks, businesses need leaders with three essential traits—and strategies to back them up.
Why This Issue Demands Immediate Attention
Generative AI is expanding in both legitimate and malicious use cases. A study by Gartner predicts that by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will have experienced an attack on their software supply chain using AI-driven tools. This underscores the urgency for businesses to adapt their cybersecurity strategies and hire leaders who can navigate the unique challenges AI introduces.
Trait 1: A Holistic Understanding of AI in Cybersecurity
AI is everywhere: powering business operations, driving innovation, and unfortunately, enabling cyberattacks. Cybersecurity leaders must develop a complete understanding of AI’s role in three critical areas:
- – AI in business operations: Security leaders should collaborate with departments using AI tools to assess potential vulnerabilities.
- – Actionable Tip: Schedule cross-departmental meetings to map out where AI is integrated into the business and identify potential risks.
- – AI in cyberattacks: Hackers are automating phishing campaigns, generating deepfakes, and deploying adaptive malware. Leaders must stay ahead.
- – Actionable Tip: Invest in AI-focused threat intelligence platforms that monitor and predict evolving attack tactics.
- – AI in security tools: Many platforms claim to use AI for defense. Leaders must evaluate these tools critically.
- – Actionable Tip: Test AI-powered security tools against known threats to ensure they meet your needs.
Trait 2: An Innovation Mindset for AI-Driven Cybersecurity
The era of reactive cybersecurity is over. Modern threats demand proactive and innovative leadership. Companies should emphasize security leaders who think like product developers—crafting creative, scalable solutions that:
- – Fight AI with AI: Use AI tools to anticipate attacks before they occur.
- – Actionable Tip: Implement predictive analytics to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate them early.
- – Draw from diverse backgrounds: Look for leaders with product or technology experience.
- – Actionable Tip: When hiring, prioritize candidates who’ve worked in dynamic environments like tech startups.
Trait 3: Strong Ethical Leadership in AI Cybersecurity
As companies integrate AI across operations, cybersecurity leaders face growing pressure to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. Missteps can result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, or customer distrust. Leaders now must:
- – Master privacy regulations: Leaders must understand laws like GDPR, CCPA, and emerging AI compliance rules.
- – Actionable Tip: Conduct quarterly audits to ensure AI systems meet privacy standards.
- – Champion responsible AI: Leaders need to embed ethical principles into every stage of AI adoption.
- – Actionable Tip: Establish an AI ethics board to align tools with organizational values.
Finding the Right Cybersecurity Leaders
Hiring cybersecurity leaders with these traits requires a strategic approach. Expand your search beyond traditional candidates—look for professionals with experience in product innovation, AI technology, or ethical decision-making. Consider tapping into talent from adjacent industries, such as AI-driven startups, where adaptability is critical.
If sourcing these leaders feels overwhelming, specialized recruiters like Riviera Partners can be invaluable. They can help identify candidates with the rare combination of technical acumen, strategic vision, and ethical leadership needed to navigate AI’s complexities.
Boosting Cybersecurity Leadership for an AI-Driven Future
Generative AI is changing the cybersecurity game, and companies need leaders who are prepared to tackle the challenges it brings. By prioritizing these traits—a holistic understanding of AI, an innovation mindset, and strong ethical leadership—organizations can better protect their assets and customers in an increasingly AI-driven world.
AI isn’t just the future of cybersecurity—it’s the present. Is your leadership ready to embrace it?
Sean Cleary is Head of Cybersecurity Practice at Riviera Partners. Connect on LinkedIn.
Explore more cybersecurity leadership insights
