CIA Digital Innovation Director Shares AI Transformation Lessons
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Jennifer Ewbank, former CIA deputy director for Digital Innovation, shares seven key lessons learned from leading the CIA's AI transformation. These insights are aimed at helping CISOs and business risk executives navigate the challenges of securing AI deployments. The CIA's transformation involved significant organizational changes, including the centralization of data management and the implementation of sophisticated AI-driven intelligence platforms. Ewbank emphasizes the importance of organizational culture, trustworthy AI, intentional education, risk ownership, fundamental cybersecurity practices, adversarial thinking, and the need to act despite imperfections. The CIA's journey highlights the necessity of integrating cybersecurity into every step of AI development and the importance of executive involvement in managing cyber risks. Ewbank's experiences provide valuable guidance for organizations undergoing AI transformations, stressing the need for collaboration, continuous learning, and proactive risk management.
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19.09.2025 01:31 π° 1 articles Β· β± 20h ago
CIA Digital Innovation Director Shares AI Transformation Lessons
Jennifer Ewbank, former CIA deputy director for Digital Innovation, shares seven key lessons learned from leading the CIA's AI transformation. These insights are aimed at helping CISOs and business risk executives navigate the challenges of securing AI deployments. The CIA's transformation involved significant organizational changes, including the centralization of data management and the implementation of sophisticated AI-driven intelligence platforms. Ewbank emphasizes the importance of organizational culture, trustworthy AI, intentional education, risk ownership, fundamental cybersecurity practices, adversarial thinking, and the need to act despite imperfections. The CIA's journey highlights the necessity of integrating cybersecurity into every step of AI development and the importance of executive involvement in managing cyber risks. Ewbank's experiences provide valuable guidance for organizations undergoing AI transformations, stressing the need for collaboration, continuous learning, and proactive risk management.
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- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
Information Snippets
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Jennifer Ewbank served as the CIA's deputy director for Digital Innovation from 2019 to 2024.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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The CIA's AI transformation involved centralizing data management and implementing AI-driven intelligence platforms.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Ewbank emphasizes the importance of organizational culture in successful AI transformations.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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The CIA's transformation required breaking down technical silos and fostering collaboration across different tech domains.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Cybersecurity was integrated into the AI development process from the start, with the CISO involved in all discussions and design phases.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Ewbank's team created a 'digital university' to educate technologists across different specialties, fostering a common lexicon.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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The CIA's leadership was kept fully apprised of cyber risks, understanding that risk ownership lies with executives, not just the CISO.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Fundamental cybersecurity practices, such as identity management and access controls, were crucial for AI resilience.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Adversarial thinking and role-playing exercises were used to anticipate and mitigate potential threats to AI systems.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31
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Ewbank advises organizations to choose imperfection over inaction, emphasizing the risks of not moving forward with AI transformations.
First reported: 19.09.2025 01:31π° 1 source, 1 articleShow sources
- 7 Lessons for Securing AI Transformation From Former CIA Digital Guru β www.darkreading.com β 19.09.2025 01:31