The real AI threat in cybersecurity isn’t the tech, it’s the reluctance
“Reluctance may be the single greatest vulnerability organizations face.”
That line from Stairwell founder Mike Wiacek’s feature in Information Security Buzz hits harder than most AI headlines — because it nails the real issue. The piece, titled The AI Conundrum in Cybersecurity: Why the Future Belongs to the Bold, goes beyond hype and fear to spotlight a sobering truth: AI doesn’t create asymmetry. Reluctance does.
Today, both attackers and defenders are using AI to scale, automate, and evolve. It’s a symmetric advantage. What separates the resilient from the breached isn’t who has AI — it’s who wields it faster, smarter, and without hesitation.
Key points from the article:
- AI is neutral. It boosts both sides — attackers and defenders. What matters is how you use it.
- Data is the differentiator. Attackers operate in the dark. Defenders who can leverage private, rich, historical data gain an advantage AI alone can’t deliver.
- Reluctance kills. Saying “no more agents” or “no new tools” feels strategic — but may just be fear dressed as policy.
If security is truly a data search problem — as Wiacek argues, then the organizations that thrive will be those who embrace visibility, adaptability, and boldness over inertia.
