Topic: Building AI-Driven Security Skills: A Roadmap for Aspiring Professionals
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the cybersecurity landscape, reshaping how organizations detect threats, automate security operations, analyze risks, and defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks. As AI-driven technologies become integral to modern security programs, the demand for professionals with both cybersecurity expertise and AI-focused skills continues to grow across industries. The current webinar explores the essential knowledge areas, technical capabilities, and career pathways aspiring professionals need to succeed in the evolving world of AI-driven cybersecurity. The session will also provide practical guidance on building a future-ready skill set understanding emerging roles, identifying learning priorities, and navigating the intersection of cybersecurity, machine learning, automation, and data analytics. From foundational concepts to hands-on security applications, participants will learn how to position themselves for success in the next generation of cyber defense. Join us to gain insights into how AI is being applied across threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, security analytics, governance, and offensive security operations.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding AI-driven modern cybersecurity roles and landscape
- Core technical and analytical skills needed for AI-driven cybersecurity careers
- Practical applications of AI across threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management
- Emerging cybersecurity job roles focused on AI, automation, and analytics
- Building a structured roadmap for developing AI-enabled cybersecurity expertise
- Importance of AI governance, ethics, and responsible security practices.
- Gain practical advice on preparing for future cybersecurity challenges and industry demands.
Speaker:
Dr. Derek A. Smith, Founder & CEO, CertifyIT Academy
Bio: Dr. Derek A. Smith is a cybersecurity executive, educator, and author with 35+ years bridging federal cybersecurity operations and adult workforce instruction. Recently retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Deputy Director of the HART biometric identity program, he is the Founder of CertifyIT Academy and a Certified EC-Council Instructor delivering CompTIA, AI CERTs, and EC-Council training to federal and DoD audiences including DISA. Author of Cybersense — named to BookAuthority’s 100 Best Cybersecurity Books of All Time — he hosts The Cybersecurity Professor on YouTube (28K+ subscribers). A federal Special Agent veteran across five agencies and four-branch military veteran, he serves on EC-Council and AI CERTs advisory boards.
