Mastering the Hype Cycle: How Cybersecurity Leaders Win With AI

Mastering the Hype Cycle: How Cybersecurity Leaders Win With AI

From Gartner ThinkCast by Gartner

March 3, 2026 · 35 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how cybersecurity leaders can leverage AI hype as a strategic advantage amidst inflated expectations.

AI hype isn't slowing down, and for cybersecurity leaders, that's exactly the point. As organizations race to inject generative AI and AI agents into every corner of the business, CISOs face a new challenge: cutting through inflated expectations without getting left behind. In this preview of the Opening Keynote from Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, Gartner experts Christine Lee and Leigh McMullen explain why now is the moment for cybersecurity to stop resisting the Hype Cycle, and start using it as a strategic advantage. You'll learn: Why AI hype is becoming a catalyst, not a distraction, for cybersecurity How to use outcome‑driven metrics to guide smarter investments The biggest risks and realities of GenAI and AI agents What early AI adopters in cybersecurity are doing differently How embracing hype can strengthen resilience and unlock innovation Dig deeper: Explore more Gartner for CISOs insights Attend a Gartner Cybersecurity Conference near you See why Gartner is the world authority on AI Become a client to try AskGartner

People in this episode

Guests: Christine Lee, Leigh McMullen

Topics covered

  • AI in cybersecurity
  • Hype Cycle
  • CISO challenges
  • Generative AI
  • Investment strategies
  • Cybersecurity resilience
  • Innovation in security

Keywords

  • cybersecurity
  • AI hype
  • CISO
  • Generative AI
  • Hype Cycle
  • investment metrics
  • innovation
  • resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gartner, Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, Gartner for CISOs, Gartner Cybersecurity Conference

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