SANSFIRE Women’s Connect: Powered by WiCys Mid-Atlantic Affiliate

Join us for an intimate gathering designed to celebrate and empower women making strides in the often-underrepresented field of cyber. Participate in discussions, gain firsthand insights from pioneering women who have shaped the industry, and expand your professional network.

Discover actionable strategies and inspiring stories that highlight the achievements and challenges of women in cyber. This engagement not only offers the chance to connect with like-minded professionals but also serves as a platform to discuss the future of women in tech.

WiCyS Mid-Atlantic Affiliate will also be hosting a booth to share swag and help attendees learn more about participation in this local organization.

PLUS - stay for a complimentary WiCys thought leader @Night talk following the reception!

When: Thursday, July 17th

Where: Washington Hilton 1919 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009 Phone: 202-483-3000

What to Expect:

• Networking Reception: 5:30 – 6:30 PM ET
• WiCys Thought Leader @Night Talk: 6:45 – 7:45 PM EST

Featured Speaker: Deborah Kariuki, Graduate Program Director, MAE-UMBC

Rethinking the Weakest Link: Human Roles in AI-Driven Cybersecurity

The persistent framing of users as the “weakest link” in cybersecurity has long shaped how risks and responsibilities are distributed in digital systems. However, in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), this narrative demands reexamination. As AI increasingly mediates critical decisions, from authentication to threat detection, the question of “who or what” constitutes the weakest link becomes more complex. This presentation interrogates the validity and implications of this label in contemporary AI-enabled systems. Drawing from human-centered computing, cybersecurity, and AI ethics literature, we explore how system design, algorithmic opacity, and socio-technical contexts contribute to security failures often misattributed to users. We argue that blaming individuals oversimplifies the interplay between human behavior and machine learning systems and obscures systemic flaws such as biased data, poor interface design, and insufficient user training. Through case studies and recent empirical findings, we propose a reframing: rather than viewing humans as liabilities, we should recognize their potential as active agents in securing AI-integrated environments. This shift calls for rethinking accountability, usability, and collaboration in designing more resilient and inclusive cybersecurity systems.

Invited Community Members, please register using the form below.

*If you are taking a course at this event, registration is not required.