How CISOs Can Navigate the Changing AI Revolution in 2025

Let’s have an honest conversation about the state of cybersecurity in the age of AI. It’s no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the way cybersecurity is being managed and CISOs need to be prepared for what’s ahead. But before we dive into some predictions and recommendations to best prepare for what 2025 will bring, let’s set the stage with some important truths.

The Current Reality:

• Security is not always a top priority for business leaders. For many organizations, cybersecurity takes a backseat to revenue generation and primary business objectives. It’s often seen as a compliance issue with regulators, rather than a strategic enabler.
• Most organizations and companies are not tech-focused. The majority of organizations lack the internal resources and expertise to build sophisticated security programs and teams. They rely heavily on third-party providers for security products and services. It’s often easier to maintain the status quo with old solutions that are provided by the legacy third-party providers than adopting emerging technologies such as AI. 
• The cybersecurity skills gap is real. There’s a significant shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals, 78% of Saudi CISOs report a shortage of skills in advanced security tasks(IDC) . 
• AI is a double-edged sword. While AI can be a powerful tool for defenders, attackers are now heavily leveraging it for malicious purposes.

The AI-Powered Future:

Now, let’s talk about how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, both now and in the years to come. Here are my key predictions, based on observations and learning from been a part of the tech innovation and the startup ecosystem in MENA and other parts of the world :

• Cybersecurity Operations (SOC) will see a huge shift. In a survey done by IDC, 78% of Saudis CISO belive AI will boost incident response speed by using behavior based tools to detect anomalies and flag threats, while automated workflows handle repetitive tasks enhancing efficiency in threat management.  Level 1 and part of Level 2 work will be performed by Agnostic AI. We’re moving towards autonomous cybersecurity SOCs that provide real-time threat prediction, prevention, and response. Early adopters of these AI-powered platforms are already seeing significant improvements in response times and overall security posture – results we’re observing firsthand with our clients at COGNNA.
• AI-powered auto-remediation of software security vulnerabilities and weaknesses will show great results. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 40% of development organizations will use AI-based auto-remediation to fix insecure code. This will significantly reduce the time and effort required to address vulnerabilities. Platforms that integrate with existing development pipelines to automatically identify and patch vulnerabilities will become increasingly mature and become a common practice.
• AI will help automating compliance tasks. AI can already automate many of the tasks associated with cybersecurity compliance, such as policy and procedure development, risk assessment, and reporting. And we’ll continue to see the acceleration in both velocity and use. Small and medium businesses will reduce costs on cybersecurity GRC consulting this year , while enterprises will follow in coming years .
• Generative AI will help close the skills gap. Generative AI “augmentations” will reduce the need for specialized education in entry-level cybersecurity positions. This will make it easier for organizations to find and train qualified cybersecurity professionals from other related domains like IT or software development. However, it’s important to note that while entry-level tasks may be automated, more senior roles will remain in high demand. 
• AI will enhance penetration testing: AI will enhance pen testing by automating many of the time-consuming tasks like reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning. AI-powered tools can be used to simulate attacks, identify weaknesses, and even suggest remediation steps. In some tests, AI Penetration Testing has exceeded human results. However, I believe that regulatory bodies may not accept it this year, at least not for compliance. For general security purposes, it will do the needed job .

What CISOs Can Do:

So, what does all this mean for CISOs? Here are some key takeaways:

• Embrace AI as a strategic enabler. Don’t just think of AI as a way to automate tasks or comply with regulations. AI can be a powerful tool for improving your overall security posture while achieving your business objectives, particularly when budgetary constraints are a concern.
• Empower your security team. Encourage your team to explore and experiment with AI tools and techniques. Let them use available open-source tools and test them on real data (start by utilizing Hugging Face). Work with innovators companies in this domain.
• Focus on practical applications. Look for AI solutions that address specific pain points and challenges faced by your security team. For example, if your company alerts and detection within security operations, talk to companies that build AI soc analyst . If your pain is keeping up with your development team’s number of releases, talk to companies that offer new ways to solve security testing. You get the idea. 
• Collaborate and share knowledge. Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing within your security team and with the broader cybersecurity community. We are all learning and adapting in the era of AI.
• Stay informed about AI advancements. Keep up-to-date with the latest research and developments in AI, particularly in the areas of generative AI and its potential for both offensive and defensive cybersecurity applications. Website and newsletters like : The hacker news and CSO Online 

The Bottom Line:

The AI revolution is here, and it’s profoundly changing the cybersecurity landscape. CISOs who embrace AI and adapt their strategies accordingly will be well-positioned to protect their organizations from the evolving threat landscape. Those who rely on legacy solutions will lag behind attackers who already use AI.