#445 AI vs. Cyber Threats: Alec Crawford on Governance, Risks, and the Future of Security

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Alec Crawford, an AI and cybersecurity expert with decades of experience in financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank. Alec is now leading AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, focusing on AI Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Cybersecurity (AI GRCC).We dive into:🔹 How AI is reshaping cybersecurity—both defensively and offensively🔹 The biggest vulnerabilities companies face in the AI era🔹 Why traditional security approaches aren’t enough anymore🔹 How businesses can balance AI adoption with compliance and governance🔹 The rise of AI-powered cyber threats, including phishing, data breaches, and zero-day exploits🔹 The role of AI agents in securing enterprises🔹 Why regulators are behind and what businesses must do to stay compliantThis episode is packed with actionable insights for CISOs, CTOs, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to navigate the fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape.🎙️ About Alec CrawfordAlec Crawford founded and leads Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc., which accelerates Gen AI adoption through a platform ensuring AI safety, security, and compliance. The company  achieving the top rank for both Gen AI cybersecurity and regulatory compliance from Waters Technology in 2024. Alec, an AI, investing and risk management expert, shares insights through various media and has a rich history of leadership roles, including at Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, where he managed global investment risks. His background spans prominent positions in financial services since 1988, including at Ziff Brothers Investments, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley. Alec holds a Computer Science degree from Harvard, where he specialized in artificial intelligence.https://linkedin.com/in/aleccrawfordhttps://aicrisk.com/🎯 Key Takeaways✅ AI is both the biggest opportunity and the biggest threat in cybersecurity✅ AI-driven cyberattacks—such as hyper-realistic phishing, deepfake fraud, and rapid zero-day exploits—are evolving faster than defenses✅ Many companies are adopting AI without a clear security strategy, leading to data leaks and compliance risks✅ Traditional cybersecurity models aren’t keeping up, and CISOs must embrace AI-driven defense mechanisms✅ Organizations should focus on AI governance early to avoid massive compliance fines from GDPR, the EU AI Act, and emerging U.S. state regulations✅ AI agents will automate threat detection and compliance monitoring, but adoption must be done securely🎧 What You’ll Learn🔹 How AI helps hackers launch more sophisticated cyberattacks🔹 Why regulatory compliance for AI is still a gray area and what businesses need to do now🔹 The future of AI in security—from AI-powered monitoring to real-time attack mitigation🔹 What AI GRCC (Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Cybersecurity) means for organizations🔹 Why cybersecurity needs to shift from reactive to proactive strategies⏳ Episode Chapters (Timestamps for YouTube & Spotify)00:00 - Intro & Welcome to Alec Crawford02:00 - Alec’s Background: From Harvard Neural Networks to AI Security05:30 - The Acceleration of AI & Cybersecurity Threats08:45 - The Role of AI in Phishing & Data Breaches12:15 - How Businesses Can Secure AI Adoption Without Breaking Compliance15:30 - The Biggest Security Gaps in Enterprises Today18:40 - AI in Governance & Regulatory Compliance22:00 - Why Cybersecurity Teams Are Facing Alert Fatigue26:15 - The Future of AI Agents in Cybersecurity30:00 - AI-Powered Threat Detection & Ransomware Prevention35:30 - The Next Evolution of AI in Security40:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Alec