AI, cyber and the future of national security
Key takeaways from a Women in Defense webinar with Leidos CTO Katea Murray
Three things to remember
- Cybersecurity requires defense, intelligence, resilience and proactive operations—not just protection.
- AI is accelerating cyber threats and defenses, making human-machine collaboration essential.
- Government and industry must collaborate to secure infrastructure, supply chains and the future cyber workforce.
During a recent Women In Defense webinar, Katea Murray, vice president and chief technology officer for Mission Solutions at Leidos, discussed how leaders can prepare for a rapidly evolving cyber landscape shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), non-state actors and a growing dependence on digital interconnected systems.
The threat landscape has fundamentally changed
Today's cyber threats are more persistent, adaptive and interconnected than ever before. AI has enabled adversaries to automate attacks, accelerate vulnerability discovery and operate at machine speed. The challenge for both government and industry is how to integrate AI into operations while maintaining trust, governance and human oversight.
While challenges such as supply chain compromises and nation-state cyber activity are not new, advances in technology are increasing the speed and scale at which attacks can occur.
Katea Murray
VP & CTO for Mission Solutions, Leidos
Resilience matters as much as protection
Murray emphasized that organizations should move beyond a traditional "protect and defend" mindset. While strong defenses remain essential, resilience is increasingly defined by the ability to continue operating during an attack rather than simply recovering afterward.
That requires organizations to assume compromise, understand their risks and design systems that can withstand disruption. It also means paying closer attention to supply chain security, vendor monitoring and the broader ecosystem that supports critical operations.
Leadership starts with people
Technology alone will not solve cybersecurity challenges. Murray highlighted the importance of building high-performing teams by investing in continuous learning, creating opportunities for growth, and connecting employees to mission impact.
She encouraged leaders to focus on skills, curiosity and adaptability while giving teams room to experiment, learn and innovate. As AI becomes more integrated into cyber operations, organizations will need professionals who can combine human judgment with machine-enabled speed and scale.
Mission-focused Cyber: Leadership, Innovation & National Security
Watch the full webinar
