Why Is Secure AI Different From Secure Software?
The conversation starts with how a large language model works, and why securing one is a different proposition from securing traditional software. Gaurav walks through the unintended consequences that can arise even with no hallucination and no bad actor involved, and the layers of risk that stack on top of each other.
Why Are Small Businesses Left Most Exposed?
Keeping up with a risk that changes this quickly takes people, money and time. Large organisations can find them. Most small businesses cannot, and that is what leaves them particularly vulnerable.
What Would Treating Cybersecurity as a Public Good Look Like?
Gaurav calls for cybersecurity in the AI era to be treated as a public good that informs both business and regulatory decisions. In practice that means reshaping cyber infrastructure, with guardrails and reporting built in, publicly funded and publicly monitored. It is the same argument he makes when he compares cybersecurity to clean drinking water.
The episode ends on a hopeful note. Efforts toward safe innovation can keep pace with the harmful uses of AI.
Where Can I Watch the Full Episode?
The episode runs 56 minutes and is on DBS's YouTube channel.
- Kopi Time E182: AI cyber risks with Gaurav Keerthi, DBS on YouTube
- Kopi Time with Taimur Baig, episode 182, the DBS episode page
- Taimur Baig's post on the episode, on LinkedIn
Related Reading
- Why can't most companies afford cybersecurity?, Gaurav on Security Cocktail Hour.
- Who is watching when an AI agent acts on its own?, Gaurav on CyberSG Voices.
- Think you're safe from cyber crooks?, Gaurav on The Straits Times podcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kopi Time?
A podcast from DBS hosted by Taimur Baig. Episode 182, published in August 2026, features StrongKeep CEO Gaurav Keerthi on AI cyber risks. It runs 56 minutes.
Why should cybersecurity be treated as a public good?
Gaurav Keerthi's argument on Kopi Time is that AI risk changes too quickly for each business to manage alone, and that small businesses lack the resources to keep up. He calls for guardrails and reporting built into cyber infrastructure, publicly funded and monitored, so that protection does not depend on what each business can afford.
Is AI making small businesses more vulnerable?
It is changing the risk faster than most small businesses can respond. Keeping pace takes people, budget and time, which smaller firms tend not to have. The episode ends on a hopeful note, though: efforts toward safe innovation can keep pace with the harmful uses of AI.
What Does StrongKeep Do?
StrongKeep is a self-serve cybersecurity platform for small and medium businesses. It bundles endpoint protection, phishing and malicious-link filtering, credential management, staff awareness training and phishing simulations, all run by the business itself from one dashboard. Compliance tooling is available on higher plans. StrongKeep holds the CSA Cyber Essentials Mark. Built for teams without an IT department. Plans are on the pricing page.
