AI Won’t Save You: Human Judgment Still Matters - Ian Kicmol - Guardians of the Data - Episode #19

Is AI really the solution to your data security challenges, or is the real problem hiding in your people and processes?

Ian Kicmol, leader of a major data protection organization with more than a decade of experience, shares why the biggest challenges facing data security today have less to do with tools and everything to do with people, communication, and the ability to manage overwhelming alert volumes. Ian explains why organizations that expect AI to replace humans in data security are setting themselves up for disappointment, and what teams should focus on instead to build programs that actually work. From hiring the right talent to tuning tools to creating a governance council that aligns engineering, legal, and business stakeholders, Ian breaks down the blueprint for a scalable, sustainable data protection function. Whether you're building a program from scratch or trying to fix alert fatigue, this conversation delivers real-world insight from someone who’s done the work across multiple industries.

Takeaways:

• Invest in People, Not Just Tools: AI and automation are valuable, but people remain the core of a successful data security program. Focus on hiring, developing, and retaining talented individuals.
• Prioritize Communication Skills: Technical expertise is important, but the ability to communicate complex issues in simple, clear language is critical.
• Build Cross-Functional Councils: Establish a data governance council or similar forum that brings together leaders from engineering, legal, operations, and business units to collaboratively assess and make decisions on security rules and alerts.
• Tune and Automate Where Possible: Regularly review and tune security tools to reduce noise and focus on high-priority alerts. Use automation to handle repetitive, low-value tasks, but always keep human oversight for critical decisions.
• Encourage Ownership and Growth: Give team members opportunities to own projects and tools. Support their growth by recognizing strengths and encouraging them to expand their skills.
• Balance AI Adoption with Human Judgment: Embrace AI as a tool to enhance efficiency, but recognize its limitations. Human judgment is still essential for interpreting intent and making nuanced decisions.

Quote of the Show:

• “People are really the core of having a successful program… AI is not there to replace everybody right now.” - Ian Kicmol

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-kicmol1/ 

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