Topic: From Application Security to AI-Powered Security: Women Leading a New Era
Abstract: As cybersecurity evolves from traditional application security to AI-driven defense ecosystems, women are playing a transformative role across the security landscape. From secure coding and DevSecOps to AI governance, threat intelligence, and adversarial machine learning, women leaders and practitioners are shaping how organizations defend against modern threats.
This webinar explores the shift from application-centric security models to intelligent, AI-powered security architectures, highlighting the technical, strategic, and leadership contributions of women at the forefront. It will also discuss emerging AI risks, ethical governance challenges, and the importance of diversity in building resilient security systems. Attendees will gain insights into career pathways, mentorship, and strategies to advance women’s leadership in AI-driven cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the shift from traditional to AI-powered security
- The role of AI in reshaping threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management
- How women leaders are advancing in AppSec, AI security, and governance
- How security professionals are responding to adversarial AI and emerging risks
- The role of GRC in AI security frameworks
- Career and leadership pathways in AI-focused security roles
- Building inclusive security teams to strengthen resilience
Speaker:
India James, Industry Advisor and Lecturer, JIC
Bio: India James is a leading voice in security and critical infrastructure in the United States, having served at the helm of the largest investor-owned institutions and working collaboratively with federal agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy. Her career spans governance, risk, policy, enterprise execution, and transformation, with expertise in energy alongside real estate, critical operations, and large loads such as data centers.
India currently advises executives, boards, and organizations on integrating land acquisition, energy and critical infrastructure security, and technology policy into enterprise and infrastructure strategy. Beyond her technical skills, she is a former member of the Security Advisory Board for DistribuTECH International and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment, representing global entities with interests in the energy and environmental sectors.
Panelists
Alexandra Jorissen, identifAI
Bio: Alexandra has been working in cybersecurity since 2021 and is passionate about increasing diversity in this field. While at Google, she became an IAmRemarkable facilitator, recognizing its impact in helping women and underrepresented groups find their voice. She also served as an external facilitator, leading workshops with clients and partners, including Deutsche Bank, P&G, and many others.
An international sales leader/hunter within tech startups with a global mindset, Alexandra brings over 15 years of sales and marketing experience across three continents. Now based in Italy, she focuses on the European cyber ecosystem and specializes in AI and deepfake detection.
Debi Carr, Founder and CEO of DK Carr and Associates
Bio: Debi Carr is a recognized leader in cybersecurity and compliance, as well as a speaker and consultant known for her expertise in protecting sensitive healthcare information and helping organizations comply with regulatory frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and HIPAA. Debi is the Founder and CEO of DK Carr and Associates, as well as an educator, sharing her knowledge on cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and the evolving challenges of healthcare technology.
She holds several internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications, including the HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP) from ISC2 and the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) from HIMSS. She is also a member of AADOM, ADMC, HIMSS, ISC2, ISC2CFL, InfraGard, NSCHBC, SCN, and Women of Cybersecurity.
Lora Vaughn, Founder & Chief Security Strategist, Vaughn Cyber Group
Bio: Lora Vaughn is a two-time CISO and cybersecurity veteran with 20+ years of experience defending Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions. She runs Vaughn Cyber Group, providing fractional CISO services and incident response support to organizations that need senior security leadership without the full-time cost. Lora specializes in post-incident stabilization, building security programs from scratch, and translating technical risk into language that boards and executives understand. She has led security programs across fintech, banking, and critical infrastructure, and is known for her practical, no-nonsense guidance over security theater.
