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Smart Tech, Human Errors, and the Risk In Between: What We’re Seeing in Cybersecurity Today

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We talk about cyber risk a lot. It’s what we do.

But lately, we’ve found ourselves returning to one simple truth, some of the biggest threats aren’t found in code or firewalls. They show up in the way people work. And in the way machines now think.

Cybersecurity today isn’t a war between man and machine. It’s a complicated partnership between the two. And as we help organizations across the city rethink their security strategy, we’ve started focusing less on isolated threats—and more on what happens when smart tech and human instinct collide.

Let’s talk about it.

Humans Still Click the Link

Even the most robust infrastructure can’t stop someone from being curious, distracted, or helpful.

Most attacks still start with a single click. A well-crafted email. A request that looks urgent. A link that seems familiar.

It doesn’t mean people are the problem. It means they’re part of the solution.

That’s why we bake security awareness into everything we do. Culture matters. So does clarity. And expecting your team to catch every trick in a fast-moving inbox is wishful thinking if you’re not training them regularly.

AI Is Making Threats Smarter

We’re seeing a wave of threats that don’t just scale, they evolve.

AI is making phishing emails more convincing, malware more evasive, and social engineering more personalized. These attacks don’t look like spam. They’re timely. Polished. Targeted.

A recent report by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre highlights how AI is rapidly reshaping the threat landscape, accelerating the creation of believable fakes and intelligent attacks. And it’s only getting more refined.

When attackers use AI to mimic behavior, patterns, and language, traditional defenses start to crack.

The Real Risk Lives in the Middle

We’re not here to pit humans against machines. The real issue is what happens between the two.

Take this: an AI-powered email filter lets a spoofed message through because it’s trained on old behavior. A new employee sees it, thinks it’s normal, and acts.

Neither the tech nor the person is fully to blame. The problem is the handoff. That messy space where logic meets assumption.

Cyber risk management lives in that space. It’s not just about preventing breaches. It’s about understanding how they happen in the real world, where workflows are messy, people are busy, and technology is always changing.

What We’re Doing About It

At Valiant, we’ve updated how we think about cyber risk management in New York.

Yes, we monitor systems, deploy security tools, and patch vulnerabilities. But more importantly, we work with clients to build resilience in their teams and processes.

That means:

  • Running simulations that mirror real-world attacks
  • Reviewing how people respond under pressure
  • Updating policies so they match how work actually happens
  • And adjusting security tools to recognize how humans behave online

We treat cyber risk as a moving target. And we help businesses stay ahead by keeping their people and their tools sharp.

Explore our cyber risk management services in New York to see how we approach this evolving challenge.

What You Can Do Right Now

Here’s where we suggest getting started:

  • Run quarterly phishing tests
  • Review your AI-based email filters
  • Make cybersecurity part of onboarding
  • Use role-based permissions for sensitive systems
  • Review your team’s response playbooks and escalation paths

And most of all treat cybersecurity as a human issue, not just a technical one.

The Tech is Getting Smarter. 

But so are the threats. And the people using them.

That’s why we look at both sides of the equation. Not just the tools. Not just the behavior. But the space in between, where the real risk hides.If you’re ready to explore a more thoughtful approach to cyber risk management in New York, let’s talk. We at Valiant are here to help you navigate what’s next.