Company Interview / Training the "human firewall"

Key points:

- NTT DATA rolls out tiered cyber security and AI-awareness training for its global workforce

- Only 24% of surveyed companies feel equipped with security policies for new AI technologies

- Lombard stresses need for robust governance and ethics in AI adoption

- Heavy investment in AI infrastructure is noted across Asia Pacific, driven by China and India

John Lombard from NTT DATA outlines the pressing need for employees to act as a “human firewall” in the face of escalating cyber security threats powered by artificial intelligence. Lombard explains the company’s approach of introducing tiered training—ranging from white belt to black belt—to equip its 200,000-strong workforce against phishing attempts, deepfakes, and AI-powered scams. He places significant emphasis on human instinct as the final line of defence and references the “uncanny valley” concept, where humans instinctively react to lifelike yet artificial entities, helping to spot suspicious content.

Lombard underscores the importance of a robust governance and ethical framework for deploying AI within organisations. NTT DATA’s global survey of over 2,500 clients revealed most do not feel adequately prepared for AI integration, with only 24% of Chief Security Officers reporting having a proper security policy in place to support new AI solutions. Lombard advocates comprehensive employee education, strong policies, and a focus on the responsible use of AI to mitigate both risk and societal harm.

Highlighting rapid advancements in AI across Asia Pacific, Lombard notes particularly large investments in data centre infrastructure, led by China and India. While he recognises China’s accelerated classroom integration, Lombard observes widespread regional commitment to AI adoption and development, especially utilising proprietary models and data.