AI is transforming every part of cybersecurity — and the risks and opportunities are expanding fast. In Rise of the Machines: Building Cyber Resilience with AI, part of the Take Command 2025 Virtual Cybersecurity Summit, experts explored the real-world impact of AI on security operations today.
Hosted by Ryan Blanchard, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Rapid7, the panel featured:
Shawnee Delaney, CEO of Vaillance Group
Laura Ellis, VP of Data & AI, Rapid7
From AI-powered phishing to deepfake detection, the session offered a clear-eyed look at how organizations can embrace innovation while staying ahead of threats.
AI adoption is no longer ‘optional’
The panel opened with a message that set the tone for the session. Laura Ellis stated:
“There's no way around it. At this point, we've kind of moved past the phase where you can say no to AI. It's like a genie out of the bottle situation already.”
The focus has shifted from whether to use AI to how to use it responsibly, securely, and strategically. Security teams must now support business adoption while safeguarding against unintended risks.
Security teams should lead AI strategy, not block It
A recurring theme was the need for security to act as a partner to the business, rather than the “department of no.”
Shawnee Delaney emphasized:
“Security’s role is not to shut down AI. It’s to help teams learn how to use it safely. Security needs to act like a risk advisor.”
Laura Ellis added:
“You’ve got to actually be a champion for AI. So you need to be able to give people a safe space to use it.”
This proactive approach helps prevent the rise of shadow IT by encouraging safe, supported AI experimentation within the organization.
AI is fueling the arms race on both sides
The panel made clear that while defenders are using AI to improve triage, correlation, and response, adversaries are moving just as quickly.
Shawnee Delaney warned:
“Organizations that fail to implement AI in security — they're really going to fall behind adversaries who are using AI offensively.”
From deepfake campaigns to automated malware generation, attackers are leveraging AI to increase the scale, speed, and personalization of their attacks.
Detecting insider threats with behavior-based AI
In one of the most compelling parts of the session, Shawnee Delaney discussed how AI can help detect risk early:
“There are tools out there that can actually detect when someone's walking down what's called the critical pathway to insider threat.”
By combining user behavior analytics (UEBA) with predictive models, organizations can act before a breach or insider event occurs — what the panel referred to as staying “left of boom.”
Survey: AI is a top concern and priority
According to the Take Command 2025 post-event survey, 85% of respondents said they were moderately to extremely concerned about adversaries using AI to enhance cyberattacks.
At the same time, many teams are still developing internal strategies for safe adoption, highlighting a growing gap between perceived risk and organizational readiness.
Watch the full session on demand
If your organization is navigating AI adoption, regulatory pressure, or evolving threats, this session offers valuable perspective and practical next steps.