Generative AI is moving fast, and it is not only transforming the way we work but also changing the rules of cybersecurity. Leaders, especially in regulated industries, need to be thinking about both the opportunities and the risks.
TorchLight CEO Nolan Garrett was recently featured in a Forbes Technology Council article exploring 20 ways GenAI is set to transform the cybersecurity landscape. The key message is that leaders should be thinking about both the opportunities and the risks, especially in regulated industries.
What This Means for Your Business
Generative AI has the potential to make cybersecurity stronger by automating repetitive tasks, identifying threats faster, and improving how we respond to incidents.
The same technology is also being used by attackers. We are seeing more convincing phishing attempts, realistic deepfakes, automated reconnaissance, and the breakdown of trust signals that once helped verify authenticity online.
This shift means security strategies must evolve. Defenses that worked even a year ago may not be enough against AI-driven threats.
How TorchLight Is Responding
We are working with clients to adapt to this new reality by:
- Enhancing threat detection to identify attacks powered by AI
- Training employees to recognize deepfakes and synthetic social engineering
- Putting stronger controls in place that focus on identity, behavior, and zero trust rather than relying only on perimeter defenses
- Advising leadership teams on how to use AI in ways that support the business without introducing unnecessary risk
Preparing for the Road Ahead
GenAI is here to stay, and it is changing more than just cybersecurity. In the security space, it can accelerate threat detection, automate incident response, and make compliance reporting more efficient. At the same time, it gives attackers new tools, from AI-generated phishing campaigns to realistic deepfakes and faster reconnaissance.
The impact reaches across all industries. Work that once required teams of people is being streamlined or fully automated. Routine, entry-level tasks are increasingly handled by AI, speeding up the commoditization of certain skills and services. For some sectors, this may feel like an extinction event for junior roles. These roles may not disappear entirely, but the way they are filled and the skills required will look very different.
For business leaders, the takeaway is clear. The same forces that are increasing efficiency and reducing costs can also upend staffing models, disrupt career pipelines, and change the competitive landscape almost overnight. Leaders should be thinking now about how to adapt, not just in their technology stack, but in workforce planning, talent development, and long-term business strategy.
Organizations that address these shifts early will be in a stronger position to keep the right people, stay competitive, and continue delivering value in a market that is moving faster than ever.
You can read the full Forbes article to see Nolan’s contribution alongside 19 other expert perspectives.
If you would like to discuss how these changes may impact your organization, contact us to set up a conversation.