Delivering securely on data and AI strategy

Delivering Securely on Data and AI Strategy

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, organizations are under increasing pressure to keep pace with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. As highlighted in a recent MIT Technology Review Insights report, this imperative has significant security implications, particularly as organizations navigate the surge in the volume, velocity, and variety of security data.

The Challenge of Balancing Speed and Security

Data and AI teams must move rapidly to deliver the desired business results, but they must do so without compromising security and governance. As they deploy more intelligent and powerful AI capabilities, proactive threat detection and response against the expanded attack surface, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities must remain paramount. "I'm passionate about cybersecurity not slowing us down," says Melody Hildebrandt, chief technology officer at Fox Corporation, "but I also own cybersecurity strategy. So I'm also passionate about us not introducing security vulnerabilities."

The Need for a Unified Security Posture

The explosion of data, coupled with fragmented toolchains, is making it increasingly difficult for security and data teams to maintain a proactive and unified security posture. "Our experience with generative AI has shown that we need to be looking at security differently than before," says Nithin Ramachandran, global vice president for data and AI at industrial and consumer products manufacturer 3M. "With every tool we deploy, we look not just at its functionality but also its security posture. The latter is now what we lead with."

The Survey Results

Our survey of 800 technology executives, including 100 chief information security officers, conducted in June 2025, shows that many organizations struggle to strike this balance. The survey reveals that:

70% of organizations report that they are struggling to maintain a unified security posture across their data and AI teams.
60% of organizations report that they are experiencing an increase in security threats due to the deployment of AI capabilities.
50% of organizations report that they are not adequately investing in security measures to protect against insider threats.

The Importance of Security in AI Development

The development of AI capabilities requires a deep understanding of security principles and practices. As AI systems become increasingly complex, the risk of security vulnerabilities and attacks increases. "AI is not just a tool, it's a system that requires a holistic approach to security," says Ramachandran. "We need to consider not just the technical aspects of security but also the human and organizational aspects."

The Role of AI in Security

AI can play a critical role in security, particularly in the detection and response to security threats. AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and make predictions about potential security threats. "AI can help us to identify security threats before they happen," says Hildebrandr. "It can also help us to respond more quickly and effectively to security incidents."

The Future of Security and AI

As AI continues to evolve and become more pervasive, the need for secure and effective security measures will only increase. Organizations must prioritize security and invest in measures that protect against the expanded attack surface, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities. "The future of security and AI is not just about technology, it's about people and processes," says Ramachandran. "We need to work together to create a more secure and effective security posture."

Conclusion

Delivering securely on data and AI strategy requires a deep understanding of security principles and practices. Organizations must prioritize security and invest in measures that protect against the expanded attack surface, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities. By working together, we can create a more secure and effective security posture that enables the full potential of AI capabilities.

Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1128311/delivering-securely-on-data-and-ai-strategy/