AI Closes the Cybersecurity Gap Between Attackers and Defenders

Recent advancements in scalable artificial intelligence (AI) and agentic technologies are beginning to change the traditional dynamics between cyber defenders and attackers. According to Dave DeWalt, CEO of NightDragon, the integration of autonomous agents into security operations could lead to organizations deploying up to 100,000 autonomous agents, a significant shift from increasing headcount.

Although these advancements are promising, DeWalt notes that the cybersecurity landscape has worsened considerably over the past decade. In 2013, organizations often relied on air-gapped networks and outdated infrastructures, what DeWalt describes as “security by obscurity.” The transition to cloud environments and the explosion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices have introduced significant complexity, creating new vulnerabilities.

“Vulnerabilities create exploits, and exploits create opportunities for attackers,” stated DeWalt. He emphasized that what he has termed the “perfect cyber storm” over the last two decades has intensified into a significant hurricane, making the threat landscape more severe than ever before.

In a recent video interview with Information Security Media Group during the RSAC Conference 2025, DeWalt elaborated on several critical issues, including the proactive efforts of federal leaders to address cybersecurity despite changing administrations, the ongoing debate between platformization versus best-of-breed solutions in light of AI’s rise, and increased investments in quantum and hybrid GPU-QPU technologies.

DeWalt, who has served as CEO for four major companies over the last 25 years, is renowned for guiding some of the most influential organizations in cybersecurity, including FireEye, McAfee, and Documentum. With a track record of generating over $20 billion in shareholder value, he has been at the forefront of numerous landmark acquisitions and public offerings.