CXO Forum Cyber Winter Wonderland, Part 1

This is part 1 of a 4-part series.

Randy and I were recently invited to podcast on the floor of the 2025 Cyber Winter Wonderland at the beautiful Madison Loft.

My guest host of the day was host of the Great Security Debate, Brian Schneble.

Enjoy the listen, and THANK YOU to CXO Forum for partnering with us to podcast at your event!

Part 1

Steve Monato and Ken Sowinski of UWM

Part 1’s discussion focuses on the evolving role of AI within organizations, touching on AI use cases, data security, and the necessity for clean, organized data for effective AI modeling. The panelists emphasize the shift from understanding AI to implementing and deriving business value from it. They also discuss the importance of communication between IT and business units to promote effective AI adoption, the impact of automation on employee tasks, and the future role of AI in sectors like mortgage processing. The conversation explores the balance between AI-driven automation and human oversight to ensure efficiency and address challenges associated with new AI tools.

Part 2

Eric Olmstead Palo Alto Networks and Jonathan Gough of Pellera

Part 2 is a discussion of the evolution and current trends in IT security and technology integration. Pellera Technologies provides a detailed overview of their global operations, focusing on AI, data cloud, and cybersecurity solutions. The discussion covers Palo Alto Networks’ advancements in security, including the integration of AI in their security platforms and the concept of Zero Trust, emphasizing its continued relevance. The conversation also explores the complexities of AI implementation, the challenges of non-human identities (NHIs), and the importance of robust security measures in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Both companies highlight the need for innovation and vigilance in managing current and emerging security threats.

Part 3

Brandon Allen and Pete Sheldon of Prophet Security

Part 3 focuses on the challenges faced by Security Operations Centers (SOCs) amid a growing volume of alerts and the role of AI and machine learning in addressing these challenges. Profit Security is utilizing AI-driven platforms to enhance alert investigation and reduce false positives, allowing analysts to focus on more critical issues. The conversation delves into topics like the evolution from traditional machine learning to modern AI, the importance of context and reasoning in alert processing, and the continuous need for human oversight and expert feedback in AI systems. Additionally, the discussion touches on industry-specific issues such as the energy costs associated with running AI and compute centers, the adaptability of AI to new threat vectors, and the potential for AI to improve operational efficiency within organizations.

Part 4

Björn Olson of Pellera and Henry Samson of Palo Alto Networks.

Part 4 covers the evolving landscape of technology and security. The discussion covers the prevalent issues in the automotive and manufacturing industries, including underutilization of tools, data protection challenges, and the impact of technological advancements on security practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding customer needs, the necessity of solving real problems, and the need to plan for future challenges like quantum computing. The roundtable aims to provide insights into balancing sales with genuine problem-solving and advancing security measures while managing financial constraints.