CISOs must build resilience into AI systems

Matt O’Kane delivered a stark warning to security leaders at the Gartner CISO Peer event on 19 November 2025: that organisations must prioritise resilience over control in their AI systems.

The session, titled “Trust by Design: Securing the AI Value Chain from Creation to Consumption”, examined how AI innovation is advancing faster than policy and security frameworks can adapt.

O’Kane explored the challenges of securing the AI lifecycle, including model integrity, data provenance and compliance in an unpredictable environment. Traditional information technology was built on control, but AI demands resilience and adaptability, according to the presentation.

The session covered how CISOs and chief information officers can govern responsibly, strategies for mitigating emerging risks from AI, and ways to protect intellectual property without stifling innovation.

“Companies that win won’t be those who control AI perfectly,” O’Kane said. “They’ll be those who build systems resilient enough to surf the chaos.”

He added: “The question isn’t whether you’ll face an AI crisis, it’s whether you’ll be ready to turn it into an advantage.”

The Gartner CISO Peer event brings together senior security leaders to discuss emerging technology challenges and governance frameworks.