Dubai, UAE – February 4, 2026.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity faster than many organizations can adapt and that reality was front and center during Episode 10 of the Dubai Cyber Show & Podcast Series, recorded live at the FAST Security Edition at JW Marriott Dubai.
In this milestone episode, host Ouaissou Dembele, cybersecurity leader and Editor-in-Chief of Cybercory.com, sat down with Dmitry Vasilev, Head of the Cybersecurity Business Unit at Softline Group, for a grounded, experience-driven discussion on AI, evolving cyber threats, and why detection continues to fail across many organizations.
Cybercory.com covered the FAST Security Edition as the official media partner, bringing industry voices, real-world insights, and practical conversations directly to the global cybersecurity community.
Moving Beyond the AI Hype
The conversation opened with a question dominating boardrooms and SOCs alike: How is AI changing cybersecurity today?
According to Dmitry Vasilev, AI is no longer a future concept it’s already embedded on both sides of the battlefield. While defenders are using AI to enhance detection and automate response, attackers are leveraging the same technology to scale phishing campaigns, generate malware variants, and evade traditional controls faster than ever.
“AI has lowered the barrier for attackers,” Dmitry explained, emphasizing that speed and scale – not sophistication alone – are now defining modern threats.
The Threats Keeping Organizations Awake at Night
When asked which cyber threats worry organizations the most right now, the answer was clear: identity-based attacks, ransomware, and AI-assisted social engineering.
Dmitry highlighted that in many regions – including the Middle East – organizations are seeing an increase in:
- Credential-based intrusions
- Business email compromise (BEC)
- Ransomware campaigns that start with weak detection and poor visibility
These attacks are no longer isolated technical incidents—they directly impact business continuity, reputation, and trust.
Why Detection Is Still Failing
One of the most striking parts of the episode focused on a hard truth: many companies are still struggling with detection, despite years of investment in security tools.
The discussion pointed to several recurring gaps:
- Overreliance on tools without skilled analysts
- Poor integration between security platforms
- Alert fatigue drowning out real threats
- Lack of visibility across hybrid and cloud environments
“Technology alone doesn’t solve detection,” Dmitry noted. “It’s the combination of people, process, and context that makes the difference.”
Prioritizing Cyber Risk in a Noisy Landscape
With threats multiplying and budgets under pressure, Dmitry emphasized the importance of risk-based prioritization. Not every vulnerability is critical, and not every alert deserves the same response.
Organizations, he advised, should focus on:
- Protecting critical assets and identities
- Understanding their most likely attack paths
- Aligning cybersecurity priorities with business impact
This pragmatic approach resonated strongly with CISOs and business leaders attending the FAST Security Edition.
One Practical Piece of Advice
When asked to share one practical piece of cybersecurity advice, Dmitry kept it simple and powerful:
“Invest as much in your people and detection capabilities as you do in tools. Without visibility and skilled teams, even the best technology will fail.”
It was a reminder that cybersecurity remains a human challenge, even in an AI-driven world.
A Conversation That Matters
Episode 10 of the Dubai Cyber Show stands out not because of buzzwords, but because of its honest, operational perspective. It reflects the real challenges security teams face daily and the mindset required to move forward.
Whether you’re a CISO, SOC analyst, security architect, or business leader, this episode offers clear insights into navigating AI-driven risks in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
