VenuesNow (09/28/23) Zoltak, James

A panel at the 2023 VenuesNow Conference discussed the security ramifications of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the live event industry. Fujitsu North America chief technology officer Durga Kota said the growing threat of AI-powered cyberattacks means "you've got to use AI in more positive, productive ways in order to overcome some of the challenges that will get mounted by these bad actors using it." He also cited attackers' use of quantum computing to decode encrypted data and communications, while Peregrine Technologies CEO Nick Noone said the boom in available data collected by sensors and other technologies raises usage and management challenges. He added that government regulation is lagging behind these developments, and The Baghera Group CEO Jeanette Neyses pointed to pitfalls in the interoperability of the various applications, platforms and technology. "The people side of that is having security experts within your space that have a level of skills, but oversight and a very proactive amount of engagement, to be able to keep up with those technologies and ensure that they do continue to work together, that they're working together in the way that you intended them to," she explained. Mike Downing, chief security officer with OVG's Prevent Advisors division, said cyberthreats will demand greater attention than physical threats. "We were first responders for a period of time, but we look at ourselves as first preventers," he commented. "We're trying to create a prevention culture, both on the physical side, and now we have this other challenge."

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