Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the cybersecurity landscape, transforming both attacker tactics and defense strategies. This is explained by Helmut Reisinger, CEO of Palo Alto Networks for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the largest global company in the sector, in a recent interview during the Mobile World Congress. Contrary to the belief that cybersecurity is an issue exclusive to large companies, Reisinger warns that any connected user is a potential target. The rapid advancement of AI has multiplied the speed and sophistication of threats, forcing a rethinking of traditional protection systems. Palo Alto Networks is dedicated to safeguarding the essential digital assets of organizations of all types. Its approach ranges from protecting network traffic and secure access to critical applications to monitoring AI usage and cloud software development. The company offers a unified view of security, integrating multiple tools to close gaps that cybercriminals could exploit. The challenge is immense: while attackers only need to succeed once, defenders must always be right. The key lies in data management and analysis. Palo Alto Networks processes about 15 petabytes of telemetry daily, allowing for real-time threat detection and neutralization, protecting its more than 80,000 customers worldwide. Cybercriminals are already using AI. Reisinger confirms that large European companies have detected attacks executed by AI agents. The evolution has moved from machine learning to generative AI and now to agentic AI, capable of autonomously executing complex tasks. The result: faster and more sophisticated attacks. A few years ago, the average time between intrusion and data theft was nine days; today, it can be reduced to just 72 minutes. Immediacy is now essential. Regulations, such as the European NIS 2, require reporting serious incidents within 24 hours, reflecting the growing social awareness of these risks. Another emerging threat is the "collect now and decrypt later" strategy, where state actors steal large volumes of data to decrypt them in the future using quantum computing. Palo Alto Networks has already adapted its platform to be resilient against such attacks. However, only 6% of companies implement AI with an adequate security strategy. Therefore, the company has launched AI Runtime Security, a solution that controls access and use of language models and AI agents, promoting comprehensive protection. In the public sector, attacks often seek disruption, manipulation, or theft of sensitive data. Protection varies according to the nature of the information, and Palo Alto Networks offers solutions such as managing private keys so that clients maintain full control of their telemetry. Geopolitics and technology, especially AI, are redefining the cybersecurity landscape, as seen in recent conflicts where digital warfare and the use of drones have taken center stage. Finally, Reisinger emphasizes the importance of the "zero trust" model, which involves continuous verification of all identities and connections, whether human or machine. With the proliferation of AI agents, identity management becomes even more critical, as many breaches occur simply due to the use of stolen credentials. Regarding quantum computing, Reisinger is clear: those with Palo Alto Networks' protection will be prepared to face new challenges. (Source: lavanguardia.com)