Modern cyber conflict isn’t a technology problem—it’s a human one. In this keynote, Sarah Gosler will explore how today’s cyber incidents begin with people, not machines, and why human decisions under pressure are now the primary battleground. She’ll explain how AI has escalated the threat landscape while simultaneously amplifying attacks that already prey on human behavior, including the 98% of cyberattacks that start with social engineering and the 95% of successful breaches that trace back to human actions.  

Sarah will challenge the myth that humans are the “weakest link,” describing instead how they have become the most targeted element in the cyber ecosystem, especially as fatigue, burnout, and relentless pressure increase operational risk. Looking ahead, she’ll argue that defending the human layer is no longer optional but foundational: technology may provide the armor, but people provide the intelligence and resilience. By investing in human judgment as deliberately as we invest in tools, organizations can turn their people into their most adaptable—and most strategic—line of defense.