AI Security Report: Hype, Hope, or Hard Lessons?

We asked 125 IT security leaders how they’re using AI, what’s working, and more importantly, what’s not. The results? A mix of optimism, hesitation, and a few eyebrow-raising responses that made one of our panelists question whether security teams truly grasp AI’s potential.

We tackled all of this (and more) in a live, unfiltered webinar discussion, and now you can watch it on demand. If you missed it, here’s why you should catch up:

Security Leaders Know AI is a Big Deal. Most Don’t Have a Plan.

80% of security leaders say AI is essential, yet many don't appear to have a strategy for integrating it. That’s not just an adoption issue. It’s a mindset gap. AI is already changing how security teams work, but without a plan, it’s just another buzzword. One of our panelists put it bluntly: "Are security leaders underestimating AI’s impact, or do they just not know what they don’t know?"

Too Much Vendor Hype Has Made Security Teams Skeptical

AI-powered security tools have been hyped for years, and let’s be honest, not all of them live up to the promise.

That skepticism is showing in the numbers: only 17.6% of security leaders in our research saw a significant advantage in some key AI-driven capabilities. But here’s the thing...AI isn’t just about buying another tool. Some of the most valuable applications don’t require a new vendor at all. So if AI isn’t delivering, is it the tech that’s the problem, or the way we’re thinking about it?

AI Isn’t Replacing Security Teams. But It Is Changing Them

Forget the doomsday predictions, AI isn’t here to take your job, but it is here to reshape how security teams operate.

More organizations are using AI to automate L1 SOC workflows, prioritize threats, and cut down time spent on manual investigations. The result? Less burnout, faster detection, and security teams that can actually focus on strategy. No need to go full "prepper-mode," AI won’t replace security pros, but security pros who master AI will have the edge over those who don’t.

What Did We Learn? Watch the Webinar On-Demand

We brought together Michael Sampson (Principal Analyst, Osterman Research), Matthew Martin (Founder, Two Candlesticks, Former Deputy CISO at LPL Financial), and me for an unfiltered conversation. No sales pitches, just real talk.

Some key moments included:

• Why security teams see AI as essential, but most still don’t have a plan to use it effectively
• Why attackers are moving faster with AI than defenders, and how security teams can catch up
• How to figure out if an AI solution or vendor is an expert or just got on the bandwagon

If you want insights, strong opinions, and maybe even a little controversy, you’ll want to watch this.

Watch the full discussion on demand now!

Get your popcorn ready!