AI as Trusted Advisor, Not Autonomous Agent

We’re excited to share that our very own Richard Philips, VP of Technology and Infrastructure, was featured in VMblog’s January 8, 2026, 5 Bold 2026 Tech Predictions Video. In the video, Richard warns that although AI in security has arrived, be wary of automating everything everywhere as fast as possible. The next era of IT security isn’t about replacing engineers with algorithms. It’s about building a trusted advisory layer. 

He goes on to explain that you should focus on three principles:

1. Transparency: Knowing exactly how AI reached its conclusion.
2. Human-centricity: AI normalizes messy data, enabling skilled humans to make decisions.
3. Safety over Novelty: Avoid friction and downtime during production.

Winning in 2026 doesn’t mean having the most autonomous tools. Instead, you’ve got to have the most explainable security programs. You can’t secure what you don’t understand.

To learn more, watch the video on VMBlog. For more information about the BackBox Network Cyber Resilience platform, visit the BackBox Platform page. Want to see BackBox in action? Request a demo.