Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity are both subjects that command significant attention. Breakthroughs in these domains consistently capture the spotlight in media outlets, reflecting their profound impact on our technology-driven world. Yet, what remains somewhat obscured is the intricate interplay between these two spheres, an area that is largely unknown and has been inadequately explored.

 

In this talk we aim to shed light on the multifaceted relationship between Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. We will offer a comprehensive overview of how AI can enhance defensive cybersecurity strategies, bolstering our ability to safeguard sensitive information and critical systems. Additionally, we will explore how AI can be harnessed to improve offensive cybersecurity tactics.

Moreover, we will delve into the less-discussed, yet critically important, aspect of how AI-based systems themselves can become vulnerable targets for manipulation and exploitation by adversaries. This often-overlooked dimension highlights the need for an intricate understanding of the potential weaknesses within AI, thereby reinforcing the urgency of developing robust defenses against such attacks.

 

Sokratis K. Katsikas was born in Athens, Greece, in 1960. He is the Director of the Norwegian Centre for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors and Professor with the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He is also Professor Emeritus of the Department of Digital Systems, University of Piraeus, Greece, and Member of the Board of the University of Patras, Greece.

In 2019 he was awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Department of Production and Management Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. In May-June 2023 he served as Minister of Digital Governance in the interim (caretaking) government of the Hellenic Republic. Among others, he has been the Rector of the Open University of Cyprus; the Rector and Vice-Rector of the University of the Aegean, Greece; President of the National Education Council of Greece; State Secretary of Telecommunications and Posts of the Hellenic Republic; Member of the Board of the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE); and Member of the Board of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE). In 2023 and in 2024 he was listed in the Stanford University list of the top 2% most cited scientists worldwide and in 2024 he was listed in the ScholarGPS Top Scholars list of the top 0.5% of all scholars worldwide. In 2025 he received the IEEE SMC TC on Homeland Security Research and Innovation Award.

He has authored or co-authored more than 300 journal papers, book chapters and conference proceedings papers. He is serving on the editorial board of several scientific journals, he has co-authored/edited 52 books and conference proceedings and has served on/chaired the technical programme committee of more than 1000 international scientific conferences. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the ESORICS Conference (chair 2017-2023) and of several other international conferences and he is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Information Security (Springer).