“We want to be able to actuate the data where the data is. It’s expensive to move the data around and process it at in different places. So, thinking about the kind of inferencing that can be done on your endpoints, what kind of work can be done at the edge, how you understand the work that is done in your on-prem or in your private cloud, if you’re in enterprise or in other places…I think this becomes the mapping journey that organizations need to go on, particularly as they’re taking advantage of the AI solutions.”
– Bobbie Stempfley, Business Unit Security Officer, Dell Technologies
What if the future of cybersecurity lies not in complex codes, but in the capabilities of artificial intelligence? That’s the provocative question Mark Lynd, head of executive advisory and corporate strategy at Netsync, explores with his guest Bobbie Stempfley, business unit security officer at Dell Technologies. Stempfley draws from her vast experience to paint a vivid picture of the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. She shares unique insights on the evolution from traditional to generative AI and discusses the critical considerations for developing secure AI strategies. Prepare to be enlightened on this complex, yet fascinating subject.
Stempfley doesn’t just provide a theoretical understanding; she embarks on a practical exploration of how AI can tackle intricate security challenges. Stempfley and Lynd discuss the indispensable role of threat modeling, threat intelligence, and threat hunting while also exploring how generative AI can help organizations reduce bugs, increase product quality, and provide timely user interventions. This discussion will arm you with an enriched understanding of how AI can be instrumental in addressing pressing cybersecurity issues.
Stempfley and Lynd wrap their discussion with a reflective journey through Dell’s security practices, underscoring the significance of data and guardrails in technology, even reminiscing on the technological progression of the past 20 years…specifically about how AI and cybersecurity have disrupted traditional business models. This episode is a treasure trove of tech insights, advising us to remember the basics as we stride towards the future. Tune in for an invigorating conversation with some of the industry’s leading minds.
In this video:
- (0:00) – The Intersection of AI and Cybersecurity
Stempfley and Lynd explore the intersection and impact of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. They discuss the state of cybersecurity today and the complexity it presents for organizations. Stempfley shares her extensive background in the field and her perspective on the differentiation between traditional and generative AI. Lastly, they look at the security considerations for building the right AI strategies. - (10:43) – AI Security Challenges and Solutions
The importance of threat modeling, threat intelligence, and threat hunting in understanding and mitigating the attack surface is explored. They also discuss how generative AI can help organizations solve complex security challenges, reduce bugs and increase quality, provide just-in-time interventions for users, and enhance the security of products. - (21:43) – The Importance of Guardrails in Technology
Stempfley shares her insight into the Dell security journey and what it means for their products and teams. The importance of data and how organizations can best leverage AI solutions is also explored. Finally, they consider the importance of threat modeling, threat intelligence, and threat hunting in understanding and mitigating the attack surface. - (27:46) – The Importance of Fundamentals in Technology
Stempfley and Lynd explore the fundamentals of technology and the importance of data preparation and guardrails. They reflect on the technology arc of the past 20 years and how artificial intelligence and cybersecurity have reshaped the way we do business. Stempfley reminds us of the importance of understanding both the pros and cons of new technologies and emphasizes the need for keeping our feet on the ground and doing the fundamentals.
Guest List
Bobbie Stempfley serves as Vice President, Product Group Business Unit Security Officer at Dell Technologies. She brings more than 20 years of cybersecurity experience to the role and leads the implementation of security and resiliency programs across the Infrastructure Solutions, Telecom and Client Solutions Groups.
Before joining Dell, Bobbie served as the Managing Director of the CERT™ Division at the Software Engineering Institute, a part of Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to her time at Carnegie Mellon, Bobbie had a successful career in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Defense where she held senior executive leadership roles in technology and cybersecurity, including Chief Information Officer of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Bobbie has a bachelor’s degree in engineering mathematics from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in computer science from James Madison University and is a doctoral student at Georgetown University. A recipient of many awards, she was recognized by CyberScoop among the Top Women in Cybersecurity, by Federal Computer Week in the Fed 100 and by Information Week as one of the Top 50 Government CIOs for two consecutive years. She serves on several boards, including the Center for Internet Security and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Mark Lynd currently serves as the Head of Digital Business and as a member of the executive leadership team for Netsync, a global technology value-added reseller With more than 23 years of technology and cybersecurity experience as an entrepreneur and executive, he was an Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of Year – Southwest Region” Finalist, presented the Doak Walker Award on ESPN’s CFB Awards Show, ranked the #1Global Security Thought leader in 2022 by Thinkers360 and named one of the top global cybersecurity experts and speakers by Onalytica in 2022.
In his current position as the Head of Digital Business at Netsync, he works daily as a C-level Executive Advisor for the leadership of Netsync’s public and private sector customers and prospects around the globe. This customer group includes numerous of the largest universities, cities, counties and K12s in North America.
Mark has held President, CIO, CTO and CISO positions for several global organizations and served on several academic and technology organization’s boards.
He continues to be an in-demand thought leader and featured speaker on topics including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud, diversity, STEM and veteran affairs for Oracle, IBM Watson, Cisco, HP, SailPoint, AT&T, Intel, Perimeter 81, Fortinet and other organizations.
Mark has been featured in the WSJ, Information Week, eWeek, CRN, CSO, etc. He is a military veteran who served honorably in the US Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion & 82d Airborne.
This content is part of the GenAI Expert Series that aims to untangle the hype from the reality of GenAI with practical discussions on how to approach its application within your organization. To learn more about how to create a data-driven innovation process, click here.