Nicole Perlroth—formerly with The New York Times and now a founding partner at Silver Buckshot Ventures—took the stage at Black Hat USA 2025 in Las Vegas to warn that our cyber adversaries have evolved. Gone are the days when malware screamed its presence; today’s threats are silent, self-propagating, and unstoppable at scale. Perlroth emphasized that AI isn't just accelerating attacks—it's reshaping the battlefield. She urged cybersecurity professionals to question not whether we can stop these threats, but whether we possess the courage to even try.
Hidden Dangers Linger Long After the Headlines Fade
Drawing on her decade-long career reporting on cyber conflict—including newsroom hacks, wiper attacks, and data breaches that threatened democracy itself—Perlroth reminded us that these events were never isolated. From malware delivered through innocuous restaurant menus to the politically charged DNC hack, the attacks weren't simply tech incidents—they were direct assaults on truth and expression. Her experience underscores a critical lesson: these crises might vanish from the news cycle, but their implications endure.
The Cyber War Has Entered a New, AI-Powered Era
Perlroth described how AI has become a game-changer for cyber attackers. Automated systems now map business-critical assets, craft dangerously persuasive phishing lures, and conduct psychological manipulation—some even using chatbots to press victims during ransomware negotiations. The threat landscape has surpassed human scale, and traditional defense strategies are racing to catch up
A Narrow Window of Opportunity to Retake Control
Despite the high-stakes challenge, Perlroth maintained a sense of cautious optimism. She pointed to emerging technologies capable of detecting deepfakes in real time, scaling third-party risk assessments, and democratizing security for organizations lacking major resources. These innovations offer a lifeline—but the window for action is closing fast. Defenders must act now, lest AI-driven threats become impossible to manage.
Courage as Cybersecurity’s Cornerstone
Above all, Perlroth’s message was clear: technology alone won’t save us. Only courage—the willingness to set red lines, protect what truly matters, and stand firm under pressure—will determine our future. "The only way out is through," she stated. "And the only way through is with courage." It’s a powerful reminder that in the world of cyber conflict, human resolve remains the ultimate defense.
SOURCE: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/new-york-times-reporter-warning-black-hat-2025/
