Welcome back to To the Point Cybersecurity! In this episode, hosts Rachael Lyon and Jonathan Knepher continue their fascinating conversation with Dr. Margaret Cunningham, Technical Director of Security and AI Strategy at Darktrace. With a background in applied experimental psychology and deep expertise in human-centered security, Dr. Cunningham dives into the real-world challenges and opportunities facing today’s cybersecurity professionals.

Together, they tackle everything from the simplicity—and sometimes the limitations—of “safe words” for security, to the complexities of measuring team performance and the persistent struggle to balance risk and resilience. Dr. Cunningham challenges the industry’s tendency to fixate on failures instead of celebrating successes, and she discusses the real impact AI and automation are having—both helpful and misleading—on cognitive workloads, security processes, and human expertise.

Whether you’re curious about the human side of security, the changing landscape of AI in cybersecurity, or are just looking for practical ways to spark positive change in your organization, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights and actionable advice. So sit back and join us for a candid conversation that will leave you questioning how we define success in security and how we can all prepare for an AI-driven future.

For links and resources discussed in this episode, please visit our show notes at https://www.forcepoint.com/govpodcast/e351