Akamai Humanizes AI Playing Field with People-Centric Approach

The AI arena took center stage at #RSAC and I had the opportunity to spend some meaningful time discussing the burgeoning field with thought leaders from Akamai, a Massachusetts-based technology firm specializing in cybersecurity.

As an #AkamaiPartner, I moderated a roundtable session with senior Akamai leadership and several of their most prominent customers consisting of financial institutions, commerce companies, and government agencies. Leading the Akamai team for the discussion was Rupesh Chokshi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the organization’s application security business.

In describing the rapidly evolving landscape, Rupesh outlined what he described as two distinct camps of customers - those who are driving and embracing AI with gusto, and those who are skeptical, unsure of, or even afraid of the emerging technologies. In addressing the latter camp he asserted, “our job is to be AI ambassadors to those who are not early adopters.” He further explained that he wants people to understand how AI can be an effective force multiplier that will empower organizations to expand and advance exponentially if applied and leveraged correctly and securely.  

Tony Lauro, Senior Director of Security Technology and Strategy, added the possibility of a third camp - those who have embraced AI and are currently using it, but perhaps not recognizing or mitigating the risks inherently involved in its application and use.  In support of this third customer type, Rupesh referenced an interaction with an airline. “What if a hacker can successfully trick an airline’s online chatbot to provide data about a customer?” he asked.  Rupesh likened this sort of exposure to a rogue access point on a network, or the lack of a firewall around a web application.

As the discussion continued, a conclusion emerged that focused on the human aspect of engagement. “We need to zoom in on the problems faced with the continued application of AI and get the whole organization on the same page,” Rupesh remarked.  

While the steady march toward greater AI adoption is showing no signs of slowing down, what’s clear is that, from a human standpoint, not everyone is embracing the technologies the same way. As such, there are gaps in how AI is being utilized even within an organization, or more granularly, a department, and common protocols and best practices are generally not yet in place.  Tony cited the common practice of assigning security advisory boards within organizations, which are tasked with setting governance protocols, remediation practices, and applications, and suggested that a similar approach be applied to AI. Notwithstanding, we often see discrepancies and disputes among leadership within organizations on the extent to which AI should be developed or leveraged. While some developers are keen to proceed at breakneck speed, other senior security personnel may prefer a more measured approach.

Ziv Eli, Akamai’s Israel-based threat intelligence lead of its flagship Firewall for AI offering, added that “within open-source models and data sets currently available and utilized by businesses around the globe, biases and threats may be detected.  However, when it comes to AI, effective detection is yet to be broadly achieved in the proactive state.”

I very much enjoyed learning about some of Akamai’s solutions to these emerging challenges during my walkthrough with Rupesh at Akamai’s #RSAC booth. During our discussion, he highlighted the company’s systematic “spinning globe” approach and described how it addresses all levels of AI usage: enterprise, applications, internal and external. He explained that Akamai seeks to learn how its customers use AI and what they want to achieve through its use.  They wish to educate those who have not yet embraced it, and ensure that organizations that already have, develop and apply appropriate governance protocols to secure it. 

Berk Veral, Sr. Director, Head of Security Product Marketing, summed up their approach simply, yet intuitively.  “Consider that AI is new for everyone,” he said. “Like a child, it is still in its infancy, and still needs guardrails in order to contain and protect it. Doing so will decrease risks within an organization and will set them up for success.” Akamai’s solutions appear to address many of these concerns and provide turnkey solutions that are simple to apply.

While companies like Akamai are paving the way in the secure adoption of AI with innovative software and potent offerings like their Firewall for AI, what is abundantly clear is that as digital transformation continues with the proliferation of AI, addressing the human aspects of psychology and behavior is essential for security and ultimate success. #RSAC2025

Akamai Technologies #cybersecurity #AI #RSAC2025 The Cybersphere Group