While many companies are just starting to explore AI in cybersecurity, Sophos has been using it for years. From machine learning to generative AI, they’ve been ahead of the curve in helping security teams stay proactive.

CRNtv host Sydney Neely speaks with Chester Wisniewski from Sophos about how AI is evolving and what it means for businesses and partners today.

The Evolution of AI in Cybersecurity: Sophos’ Leadership in AI

Sydney: Compared to competitors just now jumping on the AI bandwagon, how does Sophos’ long history with AI give security teams an advantage?

Chester: Sophos benefits from an integrated approach, combining data scientists, engineering teams, and managed detection and response (MDR) services. This allows us to quickly test and implement AI-driven solutions without experimenting on customers. Our AI teams work closely with product teams and analysts, giving us the ability to adapt and improve faster. This integrated structure allows us to identify issues, test fixes internally, and deliver proven solutions to customers more efficiently.

AI-Powered Incident Response: The Next Evolution

Sydney: For MSPs and partners, automation is a huge advantage. How does AI help them scale security without needing massive resources?

Chester: AI allows us to automate routine tasks and identify outliers in large data sets faster. For example, Sophos processes 3 million malware samples daily. AI helps analysts quickly identify new threats by filtering out known issues, enabling faster response. MSPs can use AI to automate repetitive tasks, improve threat detection, and reduce response times—critical advantages when time is the enemy during an attack. AI-driven automation enhances efficiency and gives security teams the speed they need to protect customer environments.

The Reality of AI-Generated Threats: What’s Hype vs. What’s Real?

Sydney: How is Sophos ensuring that security teams stay ahead of potential AI-generated threats?

Chester: Sophos’ deep expertise in AI and cybersecurity gives us an edge in identifying and responding to emerging threats. Not every company can maintain a dedicated data science team, but Sophos provides that expertise at scale. We also help customers separate hype from reality by focusing on real-world risks. Peer networks and reliable partners are critical—staying connected with other security leaders helps businesses adapt and strengthen their defenses more effectively.

For more information about how Sophos is leveraging AI to power cybersecurity solutions, visit Sophos.com.