Kasia Hanson, CEO and Founder, KFactor Global Security Advisory discusses the role of AI in security for the rest of the year.

Modern security

The security landscape underwent a seismic shift in 2024, propelled by the rapid advancement of AI.

As we enter 2025, the industry stands at a critical juncture, poised to embrace transformative strategies that integrate security, business objectives and cutting-edge technology.

This convergence is set to redefine modern security organizations, ushering in a new era of innovation, effectiveness and value.

For security leaders, this presents a significant opportunity, but success will hinge on readiness and adaptability.

Set for transformation

The modern security organization of 2025 can be encapsulated in three words: collaboration, intelligence and adaptability.

Collaboration: The future of security demands integration and unification of both physical and cybersecurity resources.

Leveraging advanced technology is essential for addressing the complex and evolving security landscape.

This approach enables proactive and adaptable security responses while aligning security teams with business objectives.

Intelligence: The abundance of data and intelligence available in 2025 presents an unprecedented opportunity.

Organizations must capitalize on this wealth of information to enhance the protection of assets and personnel proactively and efficiently.

This increased intelligence empowers security leaders to expand their role, delivering tangible business value to their organizations.

Adaptability: Modern security organizations must remain agile in the face of an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Understanding the business impact of both physical and cybersecurity threats, and the ability to stay ahead of emerging risks through a combination of technology and human intelligence, will be critical.

Security professionals who are upskilled to comprehend business impacts, advanced technologies and new opportunities will earn their place at the decision-making table.

The rise of AI

As we look ahead, the security technology landscape is poised for significant transformation.

The integration of Multimodal AI systems will revolutionize data analysis, enhance accuracy and efficiency across multiple data types.

Agentic AI emerges as a game changer for the security industry, introducing AI-powered agents capable of autonomous decision-making and automation.

Agentic AI will help security teams gain efficiencies in training and reporting; real-time manufacturer product specifications and dynamic RFP responses for the channel: automated processes and quoting for integrators.

This is a new workstream that can help the industry increase efficiency and maximize resources.

The rise of AI in security is a double-edged sword.

While it bolsters defenses and automates threat detection and response, it also amplifies potential risks.

Preparing modern security organizations for this new era requires comprehensive education, strategic investments, appropriate resourcing, advanced technology integration and clear understanding of business-wide impacts.

Across the Americas, security threats are intensifying, with sophisticated attacks on US critical infrastructure and increased vulnerabilities in Latin America due to less developed cybersecurity capabilities.

As new Internet of Things (IoT)/Operational Technology (OT) devices are deployed and generating more data, applying cybersecurity best practices is crucial.

Physical breaches can escalate into cybersecurity incidents – video, defense systems and access control are now critical concerns for both physical and cybersecurity teams.

While the AI landscape will continue to evolve, so will the threats.

The bad actors have more tools than ever before, so security professionals must leverage advanced technology, new layered security strategies and upskill their workforce.

I am optimistic about the future of the modern security world – everyone in the security ecosystem has a role in driving innovation.

The question remains: how will you contribute and respond to shape the future of security?

Kasia Hanson

Kasia is a dynamic security leader with over 24 years of experience in Silicon Valley, specializing in technology and security modernization across physical and cybersecurity, IoT, OT and AI.

As CEO and Founder of KFactor Global Security Advisory, she advises organizations on security modernization, advanced technology and business acceleration.

During her tenure at Intel, she led global security ecosystem development, shaping technology and go-to-market initiatives.

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