AI-Based Threats Usher in 'Dark Period' for Cyber Defenders

Agentic AI , Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Events AI-Based Threats Usher in 'Dark Period' for Cyber Defenders NightDragon CEO Dave DeWalt on Perfect Storm of Risks, Attackers and Hybrid Warfare Tom Field (SecurityEditor) • March 25, 2026     Credit Eligible Get Permission Video Player 00:00 00:00 Dave DeWalt, CEO, NightDragon Cyber defense has lost ground as artificial intelligence-fueled attackers outpaced security gains, widening the threat gap, said Dave DeWalt, CEO of venture capital firm NightDragon. See Also: How Continuous Compromise Assessment Is Changing SecOps Strategy Geopolitical threats and rapid AI adoption have changed the threat landscape. DeWalt says defenders are facing a "perfect storm" of expanding attack surfaces, stronger adversaries and hybrid warfare. Critical infrastructure and data centers - once secondary targets - are now central to disruption campaigns, he said. "The gap between what the offense can do and the defense can do widened dramatically. So, we are entering an actually dark period," DeWalt said. In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at RSAC Conference 2026, DeWalt also discussed: How AI and agentic platforms accelerate cyberattack capabilities; Why critical infrastructure and operational technology systems demand full deployment of cyber defenses; The need for stronger public-private unity to counter global threats. A four-time CEO, DeWalt has led some of the world's most influential companies toward success over the past 25 years, including FireEye, McAfee and Documentum. He has created more than $20 billion in shareholder value and drove some of the largest acquisition deals and initial public offerings in history.