KJ Haywood: Exploring AI and Cybersecurity

About the Guest:

KJ Haywood: KJ Haywood is a seasoned professional in the field of cybersecurity with over 25 years of experience in governance and compliance. She has dedicated the last 11 years to security governance and has recently shifted focus to AI and generative AI, launching her company, Nomad Cyber Concepts. Her expertise lies in helping mid-sized organizations pivot their solutions and acquire or design AI tools. KJ holds an MIT certification in AI no-code model building and is a prominent figure in the cybersecurity community, frequently sharing her knowledge at conferences and through teaching and mentoring.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of "The Phillip Wylie Show," Phillip Wylie welcomes KJ Haywood, a veteran in cybersecurity governance and compliance, to discuss the transformative impact of AI and generative AI on the industry. The conversation dives into KJ’s professional journey from human resources to cybersecurity, her passion for governance, and her recent pivot into AI, particularly focusing on her company's role in helping organizations integrate AI tools.

The episode provides valuable insights into the importance of continually learning and staying updated in the cybersecurity field. KJ discusses the advent of generative AI, its rapid adoption since the release of ChatGPT, and the necessity for security practitioners to adapt. Listeners will gain an understanding of how to balance work and personal time to avoid burnout, the critical nature of governance in AI model design, and how to leverage community resources and certifications to advance one's career.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Transition and Passion in Cybersecurity: KJ shares her unconventional journey from HR to cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of following one's interests and continually learning.
• Impact of AI on Cybersecurity: Discussion on how generative AI is revolutionizing the field, the urgency of adapting, and KJ's role in helping organizations integrate AI tools.
• Balancing Work and Wellness: Strategies for managing work hours to avoid burnout, including recognizing personal productivity times and taking necessary breaks for mental health.
• Educational Resources for AI and Cybersecurity: KJ's recommendations for AI literacy, including free resources, certifications, and institutions offering comprehensive courses.
• Community and Networking: The importance of being involved in professional communities, attending conferences, and leveraging networks to stay updated and advance in one's career.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Are you absolutely sure you want to transition to this industry? Because you have to really love what you do because it's easy to get burned out." - KJ Haywood

2. "The privileged access, remember we talked a lot about zero trust and privilege access back in the day. I think we're going to end up circling right back to that." - KJ Haywood

3. "We need pen testers very much. Consider going into pen testing if you haven't already considered it." - KJ Haywood

4. "I believe it's going to be similar to the shift with cybersecurity. Industry practitioners are going to have to pivot a little bit of their skill set and level themselves up." - KJ Haywood

5. "I think artificial intelligence or any type of Gen AI tool, because there are going to be so many more that are going to be launched over the next, I'd say, three years, we're going to have so many." - KJ Haywood

   
   

   Resources:

   • KJ Haywood: LinkedIn

   • Nomad Cyber Concepts: Website

   • Phillip Wylie: Pen Testing Book

   • OWASP: Website

   • MIT AI No-Code Course

   • Women in Security and Privacy (WISP): Website

   • SecureWorld: Website