“Artificial intelligence not only enhances offensive capabilities—for example, through more automated, adaptive, and hard-to-detect attacks—but it also redefines traditional defense models by enabling predictive analytics, real-time anomaly detection, and automated incident responses,” Kornecki explained.
From Prevention to Resilience
One of the recurring themes throughout the event’s various talks was a shift in focus: cybersecurity no longer aims for absolute prevention, but rather for building resilient systems.
“In a context where AI-based systems are increasing technological complexity and interdependence, the view that failures and attacks are inevitable is gaining traction. That is why the study of resilient architectures, incident governance, operational continuity, and recovery is becoming increasingly important, especially in critical infrastructure,” Ethel noted.
This conceptual shift affects both system design and the training of professionals, who must be prepared to manage crises and recover from complex incidents.
Critical Infrastructure and Systemic Risks
Discussions on cybersecurity in transportation, energy, ports, and smart cities yielded insights that are particularly relevant for countries like Uruguay. According to Kornecki, one of the key takeaways is to adopt a systemic approach to risk.
“Critical infrastructure functions as a network of interconnected systems: a failure at a single provider, in an OT system, or on a digital platform can trigger a chain reaction. For countries like Uruguay, this underscores the importance of mapping critical dependencies and technology supply chains.”
He also emphasized the need to integrate cybersecurity and business continuity:
The key question is no longer simply how to prevent incidents, but how to ensure the delivery of essential services under adverse conditions.
The Israeli model and its replicability
During the event, Israel was presented as a global superpower in cybersecurity. According to Kornecki, its leadership can be attributed to early and sustained collaboration between the defense sector, academia, and industry.
“Cybersecurity has established itself as a strategic field where academic research, advanced training, and practical application evolve in a coordinated manner, enabling a rapid transfer of knowledge to the civilian sector,” he said.
From a comparative perspective, he emphasized that what can be replicated in countries like Uruguay is not the entire model, but rather certain structural principles: strengthening applied research, promoting interdisciplinarity, and deepening the ties between universities, industry, and the government.
The key role of universities
International collaboration among governments, industry, and academia was another key theme of the program. Within this framework, universities play a central role as generators of reliable and transferable knowledge.
The academy serves as a space for critical reflection and scientific validation, in a context where technology is advancing faster than regulatory frameworks and organizational practices.
From an educational perspective, this opens up opportunities for interdisciplinary curricula that integrate computer science, engineering, law, public policy, and risk management, as well as for international projects and learning experiences based on real-world problems
An increasingly socio-technical field
Overall, the discussions held during the event reflect a profound conceptual shift in the field of cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is no longer purely a technical issue; it has established itself as a socio-technical field, where artificial intelligence acts as a catalyst for new risks, but also for new defensive capabilities and theoretical frameworks, ”Kornecki summarized.
An approach that reinforces the strategic role of academia in training professionals capable of understanding and managing the growing complexity of digital ecosystems.