Cyberside Chats: Live! AI Broke Trust. Identity Has to Step Up in 2026.
AI has supercharged phishing, deepfakes, and impersonation attacks — and 2025 proved that our trust systems aren’t built for this new reality. In this episode, Sherri and Matt break down the #1 change every security program needs in 2026: dramatically improving identity and authentication across the organization. We explore how AI blurred the lines between legitimate and malicious communication, why authentication can no longer stop at the login screen, and where organizations must start adding verification into everyday workflows — from IT support calls to executive requests and financial approvals. Plus, we discuss what “next-generation” user training looks like when employees can no longer rely on old phishing cues and must instead adopt identity-safety habits that AI can’t easily spoof. If you want to strengthen your security program for the year ahead, this is the episode to watch.
Speakers
Founder
LMG Security
Sherri Davidoff is the Founder of LMG Security and the author of three books, including “Ransomware and Cyber Extortion” and “Data Breaches: Crisis and Opportunity.” As a recognized expert in cybersecurity, she has been called a “security badass” by the New York Times. Sherri is a regular instructor at the renowned Black Hat trainings and a faculty member at the Pacific Coast Banking School. She is also the co-author of Network Forensics: Tracking Hackers Through Cyberspace (Prentice Hall, 2012), and has been featured as the protagonist in the book, Breaking and Entering: The Extraordinary Story of a Hacker Called “Alien.” Sherri is a GIAC-certified forensic examiner (GCFA) and penetration tester (GPEN) and received her degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT.
Director of Training
LMG Security
Matt Durrin is the Director of Training at LMG Security. He is an instructor at the international Black Hat USA conference, where he has taught classes on ransomware and data breaches. Matt has conducted cybersecurity seminars, tabletop exercises, and classes for thousands of attendees in all sectors, including banking, retail, healthcare, government, and more. He is also the co-author of a book, Ransomware and Cyber Extortion: Response and Prevention. A seasoned cybersecurity and IT professional, Matt specializes in ransomware response and research, as well as the deployment of proactive cybersecurity solutions. Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Montana, and his malware research has been featured on NBC Nightly News.
