ITServe Alliance’s Atlanta Chapter hosted a successful meeting focused on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in cybersecurity, attracting over 100 members and industry professionals.
Cumming, GA – On October 16, 2025, ITServe Alliance’s Atlanta Chapter held its Members-Only Monthly Meeting at Celebrations Banquet Hall in Cumming, Georgia. The event attracted more than 100 enthusiastic members and industry professionals, all eager to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity and its implications for businesses and technology professionals.
The evening featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Bryson Payne, Ph.D., GREM, GPEN, GRID, CEH, CISSP, who is a Professor of Cybersecurity and the Director of the Cyber Institute at the University of North Georgia. His talk, titled “Cyber + AI: Opportunities and Obstacles,” provided attendees with valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the landscape of cyber threats and defenses.
Dr. Payne’s presentation highlighted several key takeaways regarding the dual role of AI in cybersecurity. He discussed how AI not only enables advanced cyber threats—such as deepfakes and large language model (LLM)-powered phishing—but also serves as a powerful tool for defense against these threats. The growing risks associated with AI-generated social engineering attacks were emphasized, particularly their potential financial and reputational impacts on organizations.
Furthermore, Dr. Payne elaborated on the advantages of AI-powered detection and response systems, which can significantly accelerate incident resolution when implemented strategically. He stressed the critical importance of the human factor in cybersecurity, noting that AI should enhance, rather than replace, skilled cybersecurity professionals. Continuous learning and adaptation were also underscored as essential components in keeping pace with the rapid evolution of cyber and AI technologies.
The event included an interactive Q&A session, allowing members to engage in discussions about real-world challenges and best practices for strengthening organizational cyber resilience. This exchange of ideas fostered a collaborative environment, enabling attendees to share their experiences and insights.
Following the keynote session, participants enjoyed an evening of networking and dinner, which facilitated connections among business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The event exemplified ITServe Alliance’s ongoing mission to educate, empower, and connect technology professionals and corporate leaders across the region.
ITServe Atlanta extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Payne for his valuable insights and to all members who participated in making this event a success.
About ITServe Alliance: ITServe Alliance is the largest association of IT services organizations in the U.S., dedicated to promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy to strengthen the technology ecosystem and empower local employment.
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