Page 231 - Cyber Defense eMagazine Annual RSA Edition for 2024

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: A Call to Action

In response to this evolving scenario, Helms proposes a multifaceted approach to help tech companies
ignite a conversation and drive actionable change.

• Highlighting the Silent Crisis: Launching bold campaigns surrounding “Innovation in Isolation”
spotlights the stark reality that our infrastructure lags dangerously behind while we race toward
the future.
• Stimulating Debate and Discussion: Tech companies should aim to pose challenging
questions through social media, webinars, and public forums, such as “Are we building the future
on a crumbling foundation?” It’s time to turn controversy into a catalyst for change.
• Showcasing Solutions: Companies and their partners should demonstrate they are at the
forefront of developing and investing in innovative solutions that address these infrastructure
challenges head-on.
• Fostering Collaborations: Joining forces with environmental groups, tech innovators, and
sectors across the board demonstrates a united commitment to overcoming these hurdles.
• Leveraging Data and Real-World Examples: Drawing parallels between challenges faced by
AI, cryptocurrency, and electric vehicles make the issue understandable, relatable, and urgent.
• Engaging Through Innovative Content: Creating content that educates and engages
audiences in conversations about the future, from documentaries to interactive web experiences,
is crucial.
• Bold PR Stunts and Guerrilla Marketing: Taking the message to the streets with PR stunts and
guerrilla marketing tactics brings the conversation to life in vivid, unforgettable ways.

Tech’s Role in Cybersecurity

The conversation sparked by Sam Altman’s ambitious vision for AI’s future is a microcosm of a more
extensive debate on the role of infrastructure in supporting the next wave of technological innovation.
Other companies, such as Amazon, are preparing their workforce for this tech shift by investing $700
million in continuous learning and skill development to keep pace with AI’s advancement. Helms
emphasizes that tech companies must lead conversations and dominate negative narratives in the court
of public opinion.

The imperative for collaborative efforts among cybersecurity stakeholders to fortify infrastructure must
include people, because infrastructure is not just chips, networks, hardware, firmware, and
software. “People are one of the critical components in safeguarding the future of technological
innovation against emerging threats,” Helms says.

This is where education plays a crucial role. For instance, the hackers who compromised MGM Resorts
in September 2023 did so thanks to deceptive phone calls. Properly educating people in these kinds of
tactics is vital, especially as AI becomes more sophisticated in its ability to fool humans.

By engaging in proactive and transparent communication, tech companies can educate stakeholders
about the evolving threat landscape and the importance of investing in robust cybersecurity measures.

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