The Future of Work Friday (vol 17.) Security
No, not job security but something bigger than that - CyberSecurity
Hi everyone
I’ve been thinking a lot about the intersection of AI and cybersecurity — particularly in education.
Why? Well, I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the Stone Group Cybersecurity Summit 2024. If you know me, you might be wondering, “Dan, you usually talk about AI and the future of work, so why cybersecurity?”
Fair question.
The truth is, you can’t separate them anymore. Whether we’re building AI systems or teaching AI in schools, cybersecurity is now something we all need to care about. The threats aren’t coming — they’re already here. And they’re not just technical; they’re organisational, strategic, and really, really human.
Schools Are on the Front Line
As I spoke to the room (and a virtual audience) at Stone Group’s headquarters, it became obvious: cybersecurity is no longer something you leave to the IT department. It’s a business-wide, sector-wide responsibility. And yes, that includes education.
Why should educators and school leaders care? Well, the numbers tell the story. Cyberattacks on schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) have skyrocketed. Here are a few stats that I shared during my keynote:
80% of universities and colleges have been hit by cyberattacks in the last year.
1.5 million businesses across the UK have been affected by cybercrime in the past 12 months.
Public sector cyberattacks have jumped by 40% in just one year.
Just a day after the summit, an academy was hit by a major cyberattack. It’s not a coincidence — these attacks are becoming more sophisticated, more frequent, and more damaging.
AI: Both a Tool and a Threat
I opened my keynote with a simple message: AI isn’t going anywhere. It’s a game-changer for productivity, but it’s also a tool that can be weaponised. The same AI that can boost productivity by 400% (which is why I launched the AI Marketing Course) can also be used by cybercriminals to launch precision attacks.
Take ransomware, for example. Incidents have surged by over 70%, and small organisations are more vulnerable than ever. These aren’t just attacks on big names like Royal Mail or the City of Dallas — schools, non-profits, and small businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs.
And it’s not just a few hackers sitting in dark rooms. With AI, it’s easier than ever for criminals to use deepfake technology to clone voices, create fake images, and scale fraud into a business. It’s a whole new level of risk.
The Public Sector is Lagging Behind
One of the more shocking stats I shared during the summit was this: only 27% of public sector organisations are using AI to counter cyber threats. Just over a quarter. That’s not enough.
And when you add in the fact that only 29% of businesses update their employee training on cybersecurity regularly, we have a problem. Compare that to the 41% of organisations who know they should be updating their training every month to keep pace with threats. The gap between knowledge and action is troubling.
AI Policies: Where Are They?
Another thing that stood out during my talk: the lack of AI policies in many organisations. Most schools and businesses haven’t even started thinking about them. If you don’t have an AI policy in place yet, it’s time to get moving.
AI can be an incredible defense tool, but without clear guidelines, it can also turn into a vulnerability. A double-edged sword, if you will. The takeaway? Don’t let it cut the wrong way.
It’s Not All Doom and Gloom
Yes, the threats are real. Yes, cybercriminals are getting more innovative. But so are we. The key thing here is that cybersecurity is about people as much as it’s about technology. The question isn’t just, “What will AI do next?” It’s
“What are we doing to stay ahead?”
At the summit, there was this cool “speed dating” session where attendees could meet directly with software security vendors. It was a chance for everyone to get advice tailored to their specific needs. A great way to bring all the theory into practice. This ties in perfectly with Stone’s new publication, The Collection 2024, which covers topics like cybersecurity and AI in more depth. Definitely worth a look if you want to dive deeper.
And if you’re in education, don't forget to check out the AI Teacher Course — our non-profit initiative which is also mentioned in The Collection. The idea that I started with English teacher and now AI evangelist Janine Atkin, that helps educators get to grips with AI and helps teachers teach with it to save time and help their crippling workloads…
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait
One of the key points I left the audience with was this:
Don’t wait.
Don’t wait for the next cyberattack. Don’t wait for someone else to protect your organisation. Be proactive. Get your training in place. Draft those AI policies. Invest in your team. And partner with experts who can help you prepare for what’s already happening.
Cybersecurity isn’t something you can put off until tomorrow. The threats are here today. Whether it’s your school, your business, or your community, the actions you take now could save you from a major crisis down the line.
We have a chance to create a secure, innovative, and sustainable future. Let’s not waste it. Stay informed. Stay protected. And let’s keep this conversation going. I have linked to a LOAD of resources at the bottom of this fortnight’s newsletter.
Until next time,
Here’s to you and yours
Your sincerely Dan Sodergren
Co-founder of the AI Teacher Course with Janine Atkin
And the AI Marketing Course and the new AI Leadership Course.
PS. If you want your children taught English Lit for A Level - Janine is ace at that.
PPS. Click here for AI training for your organisation, business or yourself.
References for your further reading…
The Collection 2024 Schools Edition | Stone Group
Stone Cybersecurity Summit — 19th September 2024 | Stone Group
Future of Work, Technology And Digital Marketing Man Dan Sodergren
Gartner Forecasts Global Security and Risk Management Spending to Grow 14% in 2024
MIT report details new cybersecurity risks | MIT Sloan
Is 2023 the year of deepfake cyber crime? (psybersafe.com)
The biggest cybersecurity and cyberattack stories of 2023 (bleepingcomputer.com)
Deepfakes are spreading in scams and on social media ‘faster than expected’, experts warn
It’s a scam! How deepfakes and voice cloning taps into your cash | Euronews
Deepfake Cyber Crime to Shift the Cyber Threat Landscape (cyberint.com)
The Dark Side of AI in Cybersecurity — AI-Generated Malware (paloaltonetworks.com)
The biggest ransomware attacks of 2023 | Kaspersky official blog
SANS: Ransomware Cases Increased by 73% in 2023
The-Continued-Threat-to-Personal-Data-Key-Factors-Behind-the-2023-Increase.pdf