Cyber Resilience Strategy in an Age of Complex, Systemic, and Interconnected Risks

“Cyber threats are no longer merely a technical challenge. In today’s era, they are complex, systemic and interconnected risks, and organizations must build advanced cyber resilience capable of countering them,” stated Kyndryl’s Kris Lovejoy.

From a technological perspective, Lovejoy highlights two dimensions of AI. While AI is one of the strongest defenses, it can also pose a significant threat when it's in the hands of adversaries. Lovejoy recommends investing in next-generation technologies that use AI to counter risks and build resistance against impersonation.

Lovejoy also noted that the rise of autonomous systems will accelerate demand for new training and governance, particularly in early-career roles. She encouraged companies to rethink their large-scale talent development programs in order to meet the needs of a future workforce. With AI governance, risk management and ethical decision-making serving as core competencies in the future, she emphasized that by taking action now, leading organizations will be able to adapt to rapid changes in AI.

She also highlighted the significance of geopolitical risk. Fragmentation of the internet driven by national interests could potentially disrupt the digital supply chains of global companies, and Lovejoy stressed the importance of maintaining continuous oversight as part of risk management across the entire supply chain and related third parties.

She also argued that the advent of quantum computing brings the risk of an impending cryptographic crisis. Attackers are already collecting data today with future decryption in mind, and companies, led by senior management, urgently need to take an inventory of their assets and implement countermeasures. She noted that energy infrastructure faces challenges such as increasing demand and aging facilities, and that organizations should reevaluate the stability of power grids while developing and testing outage contingency plans.

Lovejoy concluded by emphasizing that Kyndryl is committed to supporting not only private organizations but also the Japanese government and authorities as they work to address these challenges.