Episode Summary

In this episode of The Secure Developer, Danny Allan sits down with Akira Brand, AVP of Application Security at PRA Group, to explore the evolving landscape of application security and AI. Akira shares her unconventional journey from opera to cybersecurity, discusses why AppSec is fundamentally a customer service role and breaks down how AI is reshaping security workflows. Tune in to hear insights on integrating security seamlessly into development, AI’s role in secure coding, and the future of AppSec in a rapidly shifting tech landscape.

Show Notes

In this engaging episode, The Secure Developer welcomes Akira Brand, AVP of Application Security at PRA Group, for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of AI and application security. Akira’s unique background in opera and stage direction offers a fresh perspective on fostering collaboration in security teams and influencing organizational culture.

Key Topics Covered:

• From Opera to AppSec: Akira shares her journey from classical music to cybersecurity and how her experience in stage direction translates into leading security teams.
• AppSec as a Customer Service Role: The importance of serving software engineers by providing security solutions that fit seamlessly into their workflows.
• The ‘Give Them the Pickle’ Approach: How meeting developers where they are and educating them can lead to better security adoption.
• AI’s Role in Secure Development: How AI-driven tools are transforming the way security is integrated into the software development lifecycle.
• Challenges in Security Culture: Why security is still an afterthought in many development processes and how to change that mindset.
• Future of AI in Security: The promise and risks of AI-assisted security tools and the need for standards to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

Links

• PRA Group
• Turing School
• Brian Holt
• Frontend Masters
• Resilia
• Snyk - The Developer Security Company

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