EFFECTED USERS: Anyone Responsible for a Home or Office Network

Hair on fire 4 out of 5

SUMMARY: AI is quickly creating efficiencies for Cybersecurity professionals – and everyone else.

SUMMARY

The discussion centered on the integration of agentic AI in cybersecurity, particularly its relevance for small and medium-sized businesses. David W. Schropfer and Jimmy Mesta highlighted a recent research paper that explores AI’s self-preservation capabilities. They emphasized the podcast’s aim to make cybersecurity concepts accessible to non-experts, with Jimmy noting that AI can serve as both a second opinion and an automation tool, potentially lowering costs for smaller businesses by adapting best practices from larger organizations.

The conversation also delved into practical applications of AI in cybersecurity, such as simplifying complex security jargon and providing tailored training for employees on threats like phishing and malware. Schropfer pointed out the trend of security teams utilizing AI to mitigate alert fatigue and improve response times, while Mesta stressed the importance of AI acting as a co-pilot in cybersecurity efforts. They discussed the increasing targeting of smaller businesses by cyber attackers and how AI can enhance their defenses, despite not eliminating threats entirely.

Additionally, the meeting covered the automation of IT processes through AI, with Mesta explaining how this could lead to significant productivity gains for organizations. He provided examples of how AI could streamline tasks like employee onboarding, allowing IT teams to focus on more critical projects. The discussion concluded with practical advice for listeners to engage their IT teams about AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, as well as insights into the resources available through Read Assistant and the podcast’s upcoming release schedule.

SHOW NOTES:

A recent article from Cybersecurity News highlights how security teams are moving away from overhyped AI promises and toward high-impact, targeted applications of AI—especially in cloud-native environments. We are seeing organizations prioritize use cases that reduce alert fatigue, accelerate triage, and automate responses—not as a replacement for security teams, but as a co-pilot (not an auto-pilot).

This shift is especially critical in cloud and containerized infrastructure, where traditional tools often miss runtime threats, identity abuse, and supply chain exploits. That is exactly next guest is an expert.

My guest today is Jimmy Mesta, Co-Founder and Head of Research at RAD Security—a company delivering AI-native detection, investigation, and response for security teams.

Is this just for Big Businesses?

Should SMB’s expect cybersecurity costs to come down because of Agentic AI?