AI, Academia, and Cybersecurity: Insights from Berkeley College’s CISO Dana Kilcrease

Guest Introduction

Dana Kilcrease serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at Berkeley College, where he has spent more than 14 years rising through the ranks from desktop technician to IT leadership and finally into the CISO role. His career path reflects a rare trajectory of growth within a single institution, giving him a unique perspective on both the academic and technology landscapes. At Berkeley, Dana oversees security operations while bridging the gap between IT and academics, helping the college prepare students for the evolving digital age. Beyond his professional role, Dana has become a vocal advocate for leveraging AI not just in cybersecurity but also in education, health, and personal development.

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Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn

• How Berkeley College approaches AI adoption across academic and technology domains

• Why AI detection tools for academic cheating remain unreliable

• The balance between academic integrity and preparing students for real-world AI use

• Dana’s perspective on AI as a “force multiplier” rather than a job replacement

• How AI is reshaping personal health, wellness, and even family life

• The challenges of applying AI responsibly in cybersecurity operations

• Dana’s non-traditional career journey from audio engineering to cybersecurity leadership

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In This Episode

Dana Kilcrease opens up about his unconventional path into cybersecurity, starting as an audio engineer in New York City before moving into IT at Berkeley College. His steady rise from desktop support to programming to leadership culminated in his current role as CISO, where he now manages a hybrid security operation built on both internal IT resources and managed SOC services.

A large part of the conversation focuses on the disruptive force of AI in higher education. Dana explains that while faculty and administrators initially feared AI as “cheating,” the bigger challenge lies in adapting policies to reflect its inevitable presence in the workplace. Rather than banning it, Berkeley College is working toward integrating AI into coursework in a way that balances academic integrity with preparing students for real-world demands.

Dana also shares how AI has transformed his personal life. From improving exercise routines and diet planning to avoiding surgery after a serious back injury, AI has become his personal trainer, chef, and coach. He even uses AI as a parenting tool, allowing his children to have open conversations with ChatGPT and then receiving contextual insights to better support them.

The episode concludes with Dana’s thoughts on AI in security and business. He views AI less as a standalone technology and more as a core capability baked into every tool, from SOC operations to everyday workflows. For him, the value lies in its ability to elevate the baseline of productivity and enable both individuals and organizations to achieve more.