Cryptocurrency Fraud,
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Fraud Management & Cybercrime
Panel Discusses Insights on Cryptocurrency, OT Security, and Data Sovereignty
During the second day of the RSAC Conference 2025 in San Francisco, a panel of editors from Information Security Media Group (ISMG) highlighted significant discussions around supply chain security, the rise of AI-driven cybercrime, advancements in cryptography, and growing concerns regarding data sovereignty.
Notable insights were shared during a panel featuring leading cryptographer Adi Shamir, a co-inventor of the RSA encryption system. Shamir remarked on the dual-edged potential of blockchain technology as a decentralized ledger while cautioning that its primary beneficiary—cryptocurrency—has contributed to a dramatic increase in cybercriminal activity. As noted by Mathew Schwartz, ISMG’s executive editor, Shamir expressed a belief that “the world would be a better place if [cryptocurrencies] had never been invented.”
Cybersecurity has increasingly become a focal point at the boardroom level, particularly regarding Operational Technology (OT) security, which presents unique operational risks. Robert M. Lee, CEO of Dragos, noted that discussions about OT security have taken precedence over those concerning Chief Information Security Officers. Rahul Neel Mani of ISMG highlighted this shift in priorities, indicating a heightened awareness among board members of OT risks.
The impact of data sovereignty on cybersecurity procurement is another critical area of discussion at this year’s conference. Michael Novinson, managing editor for ISMG, pointed out a rising trend among organizations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to maintain local data storage, whether through on-premises solutions or collaborations with cloud service providers offering localized data centers.
The panelists, including Schwartz, Delaney, Neel Mani, and Novinson, also addressed key issues such as the Department of Homeland Security’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity posture and the growing emphasis on securing both public and private AI models. They also examined the role that agentic AI could play in bolstering security awareness among employees.
Seeking More Insights from RSAC?
For in-depth coverage and analyses of important sessions from the RSAC Conference 2025, visit ISMG’s dedicated pages for video interviews and articles about key cybersecurity developments emerging from San Francisco this week. For additional details, check the RSAC Conference 2025 page.
