How Liberty University Navigates Data Security and AI Challenges

A recent Liberty University webinar brought together Brian Johnson, Director of IT Security at Liberty University, and Ronan Murphy, Chief Data Strategy Officer at Forcepoint, for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, data security, and evolving leadership roles. Below are three critical insights from the discussion, including a few video highlights.

Navigating Data Security and AI Challenges

AI is transforming industries at breakneck speed, but it introduces new risks that organizations must address. Ronan kicked off the session by framing the scale of this revolution:

We are on the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution… thanks to this revolution, like electricity, it’s going to transform every industry as we know it.

Ronan also highlighted the paradox of AI as both a tool for innovation and a weapon for cybercriminals:

Cybercrime is growing at a 40% year-on-year rate… and the main reason, in my opinion, is AI. It’s the AI paradox—can the same technology that’s helping to change the world also help to destroy us?

Brian echoed the urgency for visibility and strategy: 

It starts with awareness and visibility. If you don’t have that, you’re going to struggle all across the board.

Navigating Third-Party Risk Management

Third-party vendors now often embed AI into their solutions, adding complexity to risk assessments. Brian explained how Liberty University adapted: 

We moved to using HECVAT… it specifically talks about what AI systems are in place with your software or solution and digs into how that software uses AI and interacts with the data.

He also stressed proactive collaboration: 

If you’re active in that process and working with customers and vendors, that’s a way to get it better. It’s hard—it’s not easy to get it perfect—but that’s a way to get it better.

The Evolving Role of the CIO

The conversation closed with a look at leadership transformation. Ronan predicted a new breed of CIOs and CISOs:  

I believe there’s a fundamental shift now… it’s not just about defense anymore. It’s about strategic defense and operationalization in line with security.

Brian agreed, emphasizing business alignment: 

Any security leader, especially any CIO, it is really about having a solution to achieving the business objectives… If you’re not categorizing risk in terms that can be understood—how does this affect our ability to achieve our business objectives—you’re heading in the right direction.

Watch the Full Webinar

Want to hear the complete discussion? Watch the  on-demand webinar with Liberty University.