New Cloud Security Podcast Video: Kavita Marapan on Cybersecurity and AI Integration

In this new video from the Cloud Security Podcast, host Ashish welcomes Kavita Marapan, Chief Transformation Officer at Rubric, to discuss cybersecurity, resilience, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within organizations. Kavita shares her impressive professional journey spanning nearly three decades and her experience as an engineer, product manager, and now transformation leader.

Kavita defines cybersecurity in 2025 as a balance between prevention, detection, and resilience. She emphasizes the importance of not just focusing on preventing attacks but also on the organization's ability to bounce back and maintain business continuity in the event of a breach. With the rapidly evolving threat landscape, including the introduction of AI and non-human identities, security is becoming increasingly complex. Kavita mentions that for every human identity, we can expect 45 new non-human identities, significantly increasing the attack surface.

The discussion then turns to the balance between innovation and security. Kavita stresses that saying no to innovation is not a viable solution. Instead, organizations must create sandbox environments to test new technologies and establish acceptable use practices. She cites Rubric as an example, where the use of AI is encouraged but with safeguards to avoid unnecessary risks.

Kavita explains the role of the Chief Transformation Officer in this context. She sits at the intersection of technology strategy, go-to-market execution, and operational velocity. Her role is to ensure that the organization is ready to adopt new technologies while remaining secure. She highlights the importance of transparency and architecture, especially in a world where AI is becoming ubiquitous.

The conversation also addresses how CISOs can convince leaders and boards of directors about the importance of security. Kavita emphasizes that CISOs must become storytellers, able to present technical facts in a way that is understandable to non-technical people. She encourages CISOs to seek peers and champions within the industry and to push vendors to build secure architectures.

Finally, Kavita shares some advice for CISOs and teams starting their AI journey. She stresses the importance of being a lifelong learner and actively engaging in learning new technologies. She encourages organizations to identify key use cases where AI can add value and integrate these technologies into daily workflows.

In conclusion, Kavita shares some personal aspects, including her love for running and South Indian cuisine. She expresses her pride in the teams she has built and the people she has had the opportunity to work with.

To learn more about Kavita Marapan and Rubric, you can follow her on LinkedIn and visit the Rubric website.