The Rising Cybersecurity Tide: Sedric Louissaint's Call to Action for AI Platforms and Businesses

By: Marcus Bonham

In an era where digitization permeates every facet of society, from business operations to space exploration, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Sedric Louissaint, a cybersecurity consultant and founder of a Cybersecurity Mentorship and Training Program, believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms and businesses, in general, need to get serious about their cybersecurity budgets.

The reason couldn’t be simpler. AI, while a boon to technological advancement, not only has the potential to be a double-edged sword, but it already is. Its ability to learn and adapt quickly can be weaponized by malicious actors to launch sophisticated cyberattacks.

Darktrace, an internationally recognized pioneer in AI-driven cyber security, recently disclosed that its research team detected a significant surge of 135% in 'unique social engineering attacks' between January and February 2023. A striking increase that coincides with the extensive adoption of ChatGPT across the globe.

As Sedric Louissaint points out, this only underscores the urgency for AI platforms to bolster their security defenses and for businesses to increase their cybersecurity budgets.

Recent developments only serve to emphasize the urgency of Louissaint's words. The potential for cyber threats to cause catastrophic damage to crewed spacecraft missions is a chilling reminder of how far-reaching the consequences of cybersecurity breaches can be.

"When it comes to space missions, a cybersecurity breach could literally mean life or death. We can't afford to ignore these risks," Louissaint emphasizes.

Moreover, the recent hacking of Russian TV and the proposed European Union Cybersecurity Act echo the same sentiment – cybersecurity is not just a business concern; it is a global concern.

"We're in an era where AI can potentially outsmart traditional security defenses. The urgent need for AI platforms to ramp up their cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated," Louissaint warns. "That’s why in a world where everything is interconnected, cybersecurity is no longer optional. It's a matter of survival.”

Yet, as Louissaint observes in response to a Wall Street Journal article discussing the vulnerabilities of cybersecurity budgets, "Budgets suck almost everywhere—so many different factors at play.”

As Louissaint notes, it is a fight he has been waging for almost a decade by helping his clients, including corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits, in securing their digital infrastructure. Speaking from experience, he says the #1 culprit and the reason why organizations lack budgets is usually a lack of awareness or education regarding cybersecurity risk at the management level.

“Despite the cost of potential fines and remediation often outweighing the cost of prevention, many organizations remain shortsighted in their budget allocations, prioritizing immediate profits over long-term security,” he explains.

“Their ignorance leads them to often underestimate the devastating impacts of a cyberattack until it's too late. If you ask me, that is a clear recipe for disaster.”

In response to these challenges, Louissaint has developed a__Cybersecurity Mentorship and Training Program__ to quickly equip individuals with the skills needed to secure jobs in the cybersecurity field. More importantly, he will continue to ring the bells and raise awareness so more people start taking cybersecurity issues as something that shouldn’t be easily dismissed as unimportant.

"I believe in empowering people with knowledge. By training more cybersecurity professionals, we can build a stronger defense against cyber threats," he states. “By loudly talking about consequences, we can urge companies’ decision-makers to start working on prevention before it’s too late.”

As we move further into the digital era, it is professionals like Sedric Louissaint, armed with a deep understanding of the complexities of cybersecurity, who will be key in ensuring the digital frontier remains secure. With over eight years of progressive technical and management experience, he spearheaded the digital and security transformation of numerous corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits.

His words should serve as a stark reminder to all. From AI platforms and businesses to space agencies: cybersecurity is not a luxury but an essential requirement in today's interconnected world.

As Sedric Louissaint puts it while drawing parallels with his favorite hobby, “Just like you always need to be on guard in the MMA ring, you have to have the same guard when it comes to cybersecurity. You need to anticipate your opponent's moves and respond quickly. And most importantly, you must never underestimate your opponent."