AI Takes Center Stage at RSAC 2023: Insights and Takeaways

The annual RSA Conference (RSAC) in San Francisco is a mecca for cybersecurity experts, and this year's event was no exception. While zero trust has been a recurring theme in previous RSACs, this year's conference focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on cybersecurity. As a quantum computing evangelist, I found this topic particularly compelling. AI's ability to strengthen zero-trust architectures and identity management was highlighted by Rohit Ghai, CEO of RSA Security, in his opening remarks. However, the flip side is that bad actors can also use AI to increase the sophistication of their attacks. It's a double-edged sword that will require continued sharpening by security operations teams and the organizations they support. One of the noteworthy announcements at RSAC was Zscaler's release of its 2023 ThreatLabz Phishing Report, which identifies phishing trends, emerging tactics, and vulnerable industries and regions. The report highlights how AI tools like ChatGPT make it easier to steal credentials, underscoring the need for increased awareness and visibility to combat phishing attacks. Overall, RSAC 2023 marked a departure from the previous years' focus on zero trust. The emphasis on AI's advantages and disadvantages, as well as numerous cybersecurity reports designed to raise awareness of threats and remediation, is a welcome change. As a quantum computing evangelist, I believe that leveraging AI and other emerging technologies will be critical in securing our digital future.