The Cyber Express, in partnership with Suraksha Catalyst, has launched Episode 5 of the Black Hat USA 2025 CISO Podcast Series. This enlightening series gathers cybersecurity leaders from around the globe to discuss critical issues facing the industry today, continuing its mission to provide deep insights into current cybersecurity challenges.
This latest episode features an esteemed panel: Rohit Kohli, Deputy CISO at Genpact; Sai Iyer, Chief Information Security Officer at Ziff Davis; and Beenu Arora, Co-Founder & CEO of Cyble, who also moderates the session. Together, they tackle a compelling topic that is at the forefront of cybersecurity conversations—’AI: The Next Chapter in Cybersecurity Battles.’
AI: A Two-Edged Sword
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a game-changer in the cybersecurity landscape, bringing both opportunities and challenges. On the positive side, AI solutions are employed to bolster defenses, streamline threat detection, and expedite incident responses. Conversely, adversaries also leverage AI technology, enabling them to conduct sophisticated and adaptable attacks.
During Episode 5, the panelists emphasize this dichotomy, urging Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to adeptly navigate the complexities of AI. They discuss the necessity of harnessing AI’s advantages for defense while remaining vigilant to the risks it brings into the cybersecurity arena.
The Evolving Landscape of the CISO Role
As the dialogue progresses, Kohli and Iyer provide insights into how AI is transforming the CISO role. Historically focused on risk management, today’s security leaders must now adopt a multifaceted approach, acting as business strategists, tech innovators, and change agents within their organizations.
The experts point out that while AI technologies can significantly enhance security operations, they cannot substitute for effective leadership. Rather, AI should be regarded as a powerful tool that enables CISOs to concentrate on higher-level strategic tasks, resilience planning, and fostering stakeholder relationships. The discussion reinforces a crucial point: human judgment, ethics, and strategic foresight remain essential amid rapid technological advancements.
Innovation and Ethical Responsibility
Another significant theme in this episode revolves around the need to balance innovation with ethical considerations. AI has the potential to drive swift digital transformation across various sectors, but security leaders must prioritize responsibility to avoid unintended repercussions. For organizations, this translates to not only integrating AI defensively but also establishing robust governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, and adhering to regulatory standards.
The panelists assert that collaboration is vital in this endeavor. Leaders from the cybersecurity sector, regulatory bodies, and technology providers need to come together to create best practices that promote ethical AI usage while mitigating risks associated with its misuse.
Importance of Episode 5 in the CISO Podcast Series
Black Hat USA has long served as a pivotal platform for crucial cybersecurity dialogues, and the CISO Podcast Series enhances these discussions by providing a space for leaders to share their insights and experiences. Episode 5 stands out for its timely focus on AI, a topic central to today’s cybersecurity debates.
With perspectives from large organizations like Genpact and Ziff Davis, alongside insights from Cyble, this episode offers a well-rounded and practical view on addressing future challenges in cybersecurity.
Watch Full Black Hat USA 2025 CISO Podcast Series Episode 5 here
Catch Up on Previous Episodes
The CISO Podcast Series has previously tackled dynamic issues such as resilience and risk management. If you missed earlier discussions, now is the perfect time to catch up:
With Episode 5 now available, this series continues to be a vital resource for anyone interested in gaining authentic insights from top cybersecurity leaders navigating complex challenges.


