The New Security Playbook for AI Adoption: A Conversation with Dan Benjamin

The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing complexity of enterprise data environments. In a recent conversation with Dan Benjamin, VP at Palo Alto Networks and co-founder of Dig Security, it became clear that securing data and AI requires moving beyond traditional perimeter-based strategies toward more dynamic, proactive approaches.

Dan brings deep entrepreneurial experience. After founding multiple cybersecurity startups, his latest—Dig Security—was acquired by Palo Alto Networks within just two years, signaling rapid adoption and market validation. His background at Microsoft and current leadership role give him a sharp lens on the intersection of AI and data security.

One key takeaway from our conversation: speed is critical. “The ability to scale quickly and see immediately if something works or doesn't is critical,” Dan said. This mindset powered Dig’s growth to nearly 80 employees in two years, fueled by focus and strategic clarity.

A major theme was the rise of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM). As Dan shared, when Dig launched, “more than 50% of enterprise data had already moved to the cloud,” rendering legacy security tools ineffective. DSPM answers urgent questions like: What data do we have? Who can access it? Is it protected? As companies adopt multi-cloud infrastructures, DSPM becomes essential.

This transformation has also been accelerated by market awareness—fueled by VC investments and competing startups. “Data security wasn’t even a top-ten concern for CISOs initially. Within a year, it was top three,” Dan noted. It’s a reminder of how fast industry priorities can shift.

And now, AI is redefining those priorities again. Dan emphasized how AI introduces both opportunity and risk. Boards are pushing for rapid AI integration, while CISOs scramble to secure it. “AI security must begin with visibility—knowing what models you’re running, what data was used, and ensuring proper compliance and access controls.”

At Palo Alto Networks, around half of all data security discussions now center on AI, reflecting its growing urgency. AI isn’t just creating new threats—it’s forcing a rethink of cybersecurity strategies.

But AI isn’t just a risk—it’s also part of the solution. Dan predicts that in the next five years, AI will autonomously handle many cybersecurity decisions. Already, AI tools are handling initial threat triage in SOCs, easing analyst workloads and improving response times.

This aligns with what we’re seeing at Clarity, where AI-driven tools are helping counter advanced threats, from deepfakes to social engineering attacks. The shift from reactive alerts to proactive AI-powered defense is already underway.

My biggest takeaway: enterprises must integrate DSPM and AI security now—not later. The threat landscape is evolving weekly. Those who delay will fall behind, while those who adapt quickly will build unmatched resilience.

As Dan put it, “Entrepreneurs have limited patience—we must see rapid progress.” That sense of urgency is exactly what today’s cybersecurity leaders need to stay ahead in an AI-powered world.