BCS Insight Exchange

True security isn't a checklist and treating it like a bureaucratic exercise will leave your business exposed.In this episode of the Insight Exchange, we map the evolution and future of cybersecurity with David Lacey.David Lacey FBCS, CITP is an Information Security Hall of Famer, with a career spanning over three decades. His pioneering work formed the foundations of what became ISO 27001. While regulatory compliance is often seen as a necessary bureaucratic evil, Lacey argues that real defence required abandoning outdated network perimeters and shifting focus to the application and data levels. From the wild west days of corporate espionage via floppy disk to the escalating threats posed by artificial intelligence, we explore why the industry must continuously adapt. Key Takeaways:The Origins of ISO 27001: How the world's leading security standard was born out of a desperate lack of proven, quantifiable risk management practices in the 1990s. De-perimeterisation: Why the era of network-level security is over, and why organisations must shift their defensive perimeters directly to the data. Compliance vs Real Security: Why ticking regulatory boxes won't stop hackers, and how to build the bespoke defences your systems need. AI as a Threat Channel: How artificial intelligence is accelerating automated attacks, and why the industry must adopt inclusive, agile governance to keep pace. The Power of Professionalism: Why accreditations are vital for building trust across globally connected supply chains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why can you see the AI age everywhere but in enterprise productivity statistics?Whilst individual professionals are using AI to write code, summarise documents, and automate tasks faster than ever, organisation-wide efficiency gains remain surprisingly modest.In this episode, James Freed FBCS, Deputy Director at the NHS Digital Academy within NHS England, joins us to break down the digital productivity paradox and explain why culture - not code - is the ultimate bottleneck to real progress.Key Topics Covered:The Solow Paradox 2.0: Why disruptive tech historically fails to yield immediate macro productivity gains.Moore’s Law vs. human Pace: How computing power outpaces organisational and cultural adoption.The 70% transformation trap: Why seven out of ten digital transformations fail, and how leaders can shift the balance.Leading through rapid change: Preparing leadership teams for continuous technological disruption.Safe innovation in healthcare: Navigating patient safety, regulation, and professional standards (FEDIP and Chartered status) without stalling progress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Insight Exchange, we unpack the shifting landscape of agentic AI cybersecurity and look past the marketing hype. We dive into the reality behind Anthropic’s groundbreaking Claude Mythos model and its defensive deployment programme, Project Glasswing.Join cyber expert Professor Richard Benham FBCS, in conversation with Martin Cooper MBCS, BCS' Editor in Chief, as they explore:Why autonomous tools like Anthropic’s Claude Mythos change the entire balance of power in cyberspaceThe real-world impact of Project Glasswing and whether early-access preview windows can truly protect critical national infrastructureWhy the traditional "rules of engagement" give cybercriminals a constant, asymmetric advantage over defendersHow the next phase of tech warfare will be fought between automated "AI angels and AI devils"The growing threat of AI-driven social engineering targeting the weakest human links in organisationsWe also examine a critical shift: why cybersecurity must finally move from the IT department to the boardroom.The arrival of Mythos-class models represents a massive shift in the baseline for tech risk. With global banking watchdogs warning of systemic financial risks and automated threats capable of triggering operational failure in a matter of weeks, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone wants responsible AI. But what happens when even the experts can’t fully explain how artificial intelligence works, or prove it can be trusted?In this episode of Insight Exchange, we unpack what responsible AI really means. We go beyond the buzzwords.Join BCS’ AI Programme Lead and Chair of the AI Assurance Stakeholder Consortium, Emma McGuigan FBCS, and Martin Cooper MBCS, BCS’ Editor in Chief, as they explore:Why many AI systems can’t clearly explain their decisionsHow bias emerges — even when models perform ‘as designed’What makes reliable, safe AI different from traditional softwareThe growing tension between AI capability and privacyWhat the Post Office Horizon IT scandal tells us about trustworthy AIWe also examine a critical shift: the rise of AI assurance.As organisations move to deploy AI at scale, the question is no longer just whether we can build responsible systems — but how we prove they’re responsible in practice.From accreditation to continuous oversight, assurance is becoming the missing link between AI ambition and real-world trust. We also explore how the AI Assurance Stakeholder Consortium, convened by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and led by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, will bring together leading voices from across the UK’s AI assurance ecosystem to support the development of a recognised AI assurance profession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. That rule has held true for a long time but, open your browser or email client and quite soon another of life's inevitable forces takes centre stage: digital fraud. In conversation with Robin Reichwald, Head of Ecosystem Risk for Europe at Visa, we uncover how the global payments firm is using AI, data, and a Sherlock Holmes spirit to keep the public and vendors safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The headline writers are certain: in the age of generative AI, coding is a skill that’s lost its lustre. But the truth is different. In this episode of BCS Insight Exchange, Charlene Hunter MBE, CEO and founder of Coding Black Females, explains why learning to code still has the power to rejuvenate careers and enrich lives. The key, she says, is working with AI rather than against it, and that means learning to love learning new things. Founded in 2017, Coding Black Females is dedicated to empowering and supporting black women in the tech industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Digital transformation is not just about adopting new technology. In this episode, Rebecca George CBE FBCS, BCS Past President, explains why successful transformation starts with clear leadership, strong organisational vision and a solid foundation in data, infrastructure and skills. She explores how organisations can approach AI more effectively, why existing technology is often underused, and what leaders need to do to prepare people for continuous change.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.