Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing

How AI Is Influencing Security Buying Decisions: What Marketers Should Know

Feb 25, 2026

Steve Piper, founder of CyberEdge Group and editor of Security Buzz, brings 30+ years in tech. He discusses AI-driven spear phishing and deepfake fraud. He explores generative AI powering analyst workflows and agentic AI for autonomous threat hunting. Marketing and buying expectations are shifting as AI reshapes tools, teams, and product positioning.

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INSIGHT

AI Upgraded Spear Phishing Realism

AI makes spear phishing far more convincing by producing native-quality writing that removes a key detection cue.
Steve Piper contrasts past poor grammar in attacks with today's AI-crafted emails that mimic a boss's voice and style perfectly.

ANECDOTE

Live Deepfake Costing Company $25.6M

Steve Piper recounts real deepfake incidents: a kidnap call, election audio, and a live Zoom CFO video that led to $25.6M in transfers.
The Aroop Group case shows live deepfake video can convincingly instruct finance staff to execute large transfers.

INSIGHT

82% Of Buyers Prefer AI Security Tools

Security buyers strongly prefer AI-enabled tools: 82% favor products with AI capabilities, making non-AI vendors disadvantaged.
Steve warns vendors lacking legitimate AI features risk losing deals as buyers expect AI given rising threat complexity.

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Episode Summary:

AI is affecting how cybersecurity teams operate and how security vendors build products.

In this episode, Steve Piper, Founder and CEO of CyberEdge Group and author of the Cyber Threat Defense Report, is here to talk about AI-powered spear phishing, deepfake fraud, and how generative and agentic AI are being integrated into security platforms.

Data from the 2025 Cyber Threat Defense Report shows:

82% of security professionals prefer tools with AI capabilities.
80% believe AI will reduce workforce needs in the coming years.
More respondents say security teams currently have the upper hand over threat actors.

For marketers, this clarifies something important: AI is influencing buyer expectations, product positioning, and hiring conversations across the industry.

About Steve:

Steve Piper is the Founder and CEO of CyberEdge Group, the largest marketing and research firm dedicated to serving cybersecurity marketing teams. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Security Buzz, a leading cybersecurity news website.

Steve is a highly regarded author, analyst, instructor, and consultant with more than 30 years of tech industry experience. He holds a CISSP certification from ISC2 and has authored more than a dozen books on information security topics.

Links & Resources:

Check out CyberEdge Group here.
Security Buzz
2025 Cyberthreat Defense Report
Steve Piper on LinkedIn
Cyber Threat Defense Report Sponsorship Information:

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