Leveraging AI for a Safer Future in Aviation with Bombardier CISO Mark Ferguson

Enterprise Software Defenders

On the 17th episode of Enterprise Software Defenders, host Evan Reiser (Abnormal Security) talks with Mark Ferguson, CISO at Bombardier. Bombardier is a Canadian multinational aircraft company best known for producing premium business jets. It has over 17,000 employees and over $8 billion in annual revenue. In this conversation, Mark shares his thoughts on Bombardier's impressive scale, the complexities of cybersecurity in the aviation industry, and the role of AI in enhancing security operations.
Quick hits from Mark:
On cybercriminals using generative AI: “Cybercriminals’ work is all about volume. So it's about keeping the cost as low as possible and spreading the threat to the biggest volume possible. That's where AI will help them because it's going to enable them to widen the net for potential targets they can go after.”
On the rise of sophistication in cybercrime: “The most sophisticated criminals are using company’s own people and IT systems. It's way easier now to trick someone and log in to a corporate system, versus break through the firewall or hack a satellite.”
On AI Copilot’s ability to assist with cybersecurity: “Copilot came back within seconds and said this change happened by this person to this end point on this date and we were able to narrow in on what the change was and who made the change.”
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Enterprise Software Defenders is a show where top security executives share how moves to the cloud have created an evolved threat landscape that requires new tools to protect against cybercrime. Find more great lessons from tech leaders and enterprise software experts at https://www.enterprisesoftware.blog/
Enterprise Software Defenders is produced by Josh Meer.