Securing intelligent systems – perspectives from industry
Ali Leylani is the Chief AI Officer at Echo Alpha and a guest lecturer in the master’s programme in Cyber Security. He shares his insights on AI, autonomous systems, and strategic security research.
In your lecture, you talk about testing and hacking robots—tell us more!
– What I usually try to convey is that robots and autonomous systems aren’t just AI, but cyber-physical systems where software, sensors, networks, and real-world physical effects are interconnected. This makes security issues more concrete: manipulated sensor data, disrupted communication, or faulty decisions in the model can ultimately have real-world consequences. That’s why testing isn’t just about finding bugs, but about understanding how an intelligent system behaves under pressure, under uncertainty, and under attack.
Why would you recommend a master’s degree in Cyber Security?
– Because cybersecurity is no longer a narrow specialty on the periphery of business operations, it is a fundamental prerequisite for digital infrastructure to function. A master’s program provides not only more tools but also a deeper way of thinking: how to analyze risk, build robust systems, and understand the connection between technology and people. This is particularly relevant in a situation where security affects everything from cloud services and industrial systems to AI and critical infrastructure.
If you were to start studying today, what skills and knowledge would you focus on?
– Then I would delve even deeper into the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and distributed systems. Above all, I would like to explore in greater depth how autonomous systems can be verified, tested, and controlled securely as they are granted greater freedom of action.
What is the demand for cybersecurity experts like in the industry?
– Demand is very strong, but it has also become more demanding. It’s not enough to just know a tool or a framework; the industry is looking for people who can combine technical depth with judgment, communication, and an understanding of business risk.
What must the cybersecurity expert of the future be able to do?
– The biggest change is that security is increasingly less about protecting traditional IT systems. Future experts must understand autonomous systems, agent-based AI, cyber-physical environments, and security across the entire supply chain.
Advice for those considering a career in cyber security?
– First, build a strong technical foundation. Learn math and how computers, networks, and systems work before chasing titles or certifications. Be curious enough to take things apart, test them, fail, and understand why something breaks. And perhaps most importantly: choose this field because you enjoy understanding complex systems and taking responsibility, not just because it’s trendy. Those who become truly good are almost always those who combine discipline with genuine curiosity.
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