Alvar Orellana McBride, Executive Director at Griffin Risk talks about how AI will enhance the role of personnel in the security industry.

A transformed world

The convergence of physical and cyber threats is reshaping security, particularly within critical infrastructure, where major incidents could affect the facilities’ operations and endanger citizens’ lives.

As these domains merge, a new breed of security professionals – empowered by AI – must emerge to safeguard our interconnected world.

The convergence of physical and cyber threats

By 2025, critical infrastructure systems will depend more on digital technologies, making them vulnerable to broader threats because companies typically focus on acquiring technology without the proper risk analysis.

Cyber-attacks could compromise physical systems, for example, manipulating traffic flows to cause accidents or disrupting hospital medical devices, putting lives at risk.

Increased reliance on cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) further amplifies these vulnerabilities.

AI-powered malware is becoming more sophisticated, making it harder to detect and respond to attacks, seen in the 2021 Colonial Pipeline incident, as reported by the US Department of Energy.

Similar disruptions could affect energy grids, water treatment facilities and financial systems in the near future.

The rise of AI-powered security professionals

The new generation of security professionals must bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, blending traditional security expertise with advanced cybersecurity skills.

AI plays a critical role in enhancing their capabilities:

• Supercharged threat detection and response: AI-driven algorithms can process vast amounts of real-time data to detect anomalies and potential threats faster and more accurately than humans alone
• Data-driven risk assessment: AI helps identify vulnerabilities, predict attack vectors and prioritize defenses, enabling more proactive and targeted security in converged strategies
• Automation of efficiency: AI streamlines routine tasks, freeing up security professionals to focus on complex problem-solving and strategic decision-making

Building a future-ready workforce

Creating a skilled, future-ready security workforce requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Hybrid skillset: Security professionals must possess a diverse set of skills, combining network security, data analysis, physical security knowledge and AI literacy
• Comprehensive training: Training programs should integrate physical and cybersecurity elements, emphasizing hands-on experience and AI competency
• Collaboration: Educational institutions, security organizations and tech providers must collaborate to create practical training and development initiatives

Ethical considerations and the human element

While AI offers immense potential, its use in security raises critical ethical questions.

AI systems must be unbiased, transparent and subject to human oversight and there, the human element plays a vital role in validating the process outcome and teaching the machine.

Additionally, protecting privacy and civil liberties while ensuring robust security is a delicate balance that must be maintained.

Conclusion

Integrating physical and cybersecurity requires a new approach to protecting critical infrastructure, as the boundaries between the two are becoming increasingly blurry.

With their hybrid skillset and advanced tools, AI-powered security professionals will play a pivotal role in ensuring resilience against evolving threats.

By investing in training, fostering collaboration and embracing ethical practices, we can build a workforce capable of navigating this complex landscape and securing the systems that power our world.

This challenge presents us with a new invitation: go back to school!

Alvar Orellana McBride

Alvar is a certified, seasoned security executive with a proven risk management, crisis management and corporate security track record. 

As the CEO of Griffin Risk and a Director of ASIS International Latam & Caribbean Board, he brings a wealth of experience leading multicultural teams and delivering results in multinational organizations.

His expertise lies in developing and implementing comprehensive global security programs that enhance safety and mitigate risk, including key roles at prominent companies such as DiDi Mobility and Google, where he spearheaded initiatives in programs such as travel security, executive protection, incident response, and data center security operations.

Alvar’s strategic approach and commitment to excellence have consistently improved security postures and operational efficiency throughout his career.

This article was originally published in the special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.