In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely an optional enhancement—it’s becoming essential. My recent conversation with Dr. Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point Software Technologies, crystallized the transformative role AI plays in cybersecurity today. Dorit, one of the pioneers of Israel’s cybersecurity sector, offers unparalleled insights, having been at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation for nearly three decades.
From Check Point’s inception in the 1990s to its status as a global cybersecurity leader today, Dorit has been instrumental in shaping how organizations defend against cyber threats. Our conversation reinforced my conviction that cybersecurity must shift quickly from reactive detection methods toward proactive, real-time prevention—especially as AI-driven threats multiply.
“AI empowers attackers to scale their operations dramatically,” Dorit shared with me. “We’re now seeing targeted attacks executed at mass scale, which would previously have been impossible. Organizations must leverage AI to counter these sophisticated threats proactively.”
Dorit’s emphasis on the importance of real-time prevention resonated strongly with my experiences at Clarity, where we combat sophisticated AI-generated threats daily, from deepfakes to highly targeted phishing. As Dorit noted, “In cybersecurity today, detecting an attack after it has occurred is simply not sufficient. You need to stop it in real-time.”
The rise of AI in cybersecurity brings another challenge: supply chain vulnerabilities. According to Dorit, many of today’s cyberattacks exploit weaknesses within supply chains, highlighting an urgent need for organizations to secure every link in their technological ecosystem comprehensively. “Supply chain attacks have significantly increased. It’s crucial for security providers themselves to maintain rigorous internal security,” she emphasized. This insight underscores an important reality: as technology becomes more integrated, protecting it demands unprecedented diligence and proactive strategies.
Dorit also discussed the broader implications of AI for cybersecurity professionals, stressing that “the human factor will increasingly shift from direct intervention to supervising AI agents executing defensive tasks.” This shift marks a significant paradigm change in how cybersecurity operations are conducted. Cybersecurity teams, once inundated with manual tasks, must now embrace roles as strategic managers of sophisticated AI-driven defense systems.
Reflecting on our conversation, it became clear that the need for proactive and intelligent AI defenses is not only about technological advancement but also about strategic necessity. Organizations failing to adapt to AI-driven cybersecurity risk falling behind, increasingly vulnerable to attackers who utilize the same advanced technologies against them.
This urgency is not theoretical—it’s practical and immediate. Dorit’s vision aligns closely with my own perspective at Clarity, reinforcing my belief that cybersecurity must evolve at the same speed as the threats it faces. Organizations must invest strategically in AI, integrating it deeply into their cybersecurity infrastructure or risk severe consequences.
“Organizations today need solutions that can respond automatically and intelligently,” Dorit stated clearly. “We must empower our defenses to act decisively and autonomously when under massive attack.”
Our discussion concluded on a compelling note: AI’s dual role as both threat multiplier and defensive enabler makes it a pivotal component in cybersecurity’s future. Dorit’s insights not only highlight the current risks but illuminate the path forward, underscoring the critical importance of integrating AI into organizational defense strategies as swiftly and comprehensively as possible.
In my view, the choice organizations face is clear and urgent. Embracing AI-driven cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s essential. Those that proactively integrate AI will not only survive but thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Michael Matias is the CEO and Co-Founder of Clarity, an AI-powered cybersecurity startup backed by venture capital firms including Bessemer Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst. Clarity develops advanced AI technologies protecting organizations from sophisticated phishing attacks and AI-generated social engineering threats, including deepfakes. Before founding Clarity, Matias studied Computer Science with a specialization in AI at Stanford University and led cybersecurity teams in Unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Forces. Forbes Israel recognized him early on, naming him to the exclusive 18Under18 list in 2013 and the Forbes 30Under30 list thereafter. Matias authored the book Age is Only an Int and hosts the podcast 20MinuteLeaders.
