Adam Gale, Field CTO For AI & Cybersecurity At Netapp On Securing Critical Infrastructure In The AI-First Era

 

In this dynamic episode of Discover Dialogues, Vikramsinh Ghatge—Senior Marketing Director and Editor-in-Chief—sits down with Adam Gale, Field CTO for AI and Cybersecurity at NetApp, for an in-depth discussion on the escalating challenges of data protection in the AI era. With more than 20 years of experience across the finance, public sector, and enterprise technology landscapes, Adam offers a unique blend of technical depth, strategic perspective, and storytelling finesse.

The conversation kicks off by retracing Adam’s unexpected entry into tech—starting with a childhood mishap involving a floppy disk and evolving into a career that spans support roles, presales, and strategic leadership. His adaptability and curiosity have helped him thrive across industries, and he shares pivotal moments that shaped his professional path.

As the dialogue unfolds, Adam unpacks the mounting cybersecurity risks linked to AI workloads, particularly around AI training datasets. He sheds light on the challenges of data sprawl, inconsistent governance, and the alarming truth that many organizations still store sensitive information—like PII and regulated data—on improperly labeled storage systems. He stresses the importance of robust data governance, enhanced visibility, and proactive classification as foundational pillars for securing AI-driven infrastructures.

👉 Explore the full interview with Adam Gale on Discover Dialogues

Adam dives deeper into threats such as data poisoning, model hijacking, and manipulation of synthetic data. He explains why traditional human-driven threat detection is no longer sufficient, advocating for AI-powered tools like behavioral analytics, just-in-time access controls, and immutable logging to fortify AI-ready cyber defenses.

The conversation also touches on the emerging threat of quantum computing and its potential to disrupt existing encryption protocols. Adam discusses recent concerns over crypto wallet compromises and underscores the urgency for businesses to embrace post-quantum cryptographic standards—especially those operating in AI-intensive environments.

On the human side of cybersecurity, Adam reflects on leadership, regulation, and trust. He views regulatory frameworks not as hurdles, but as safeguards built from hard-learned lessons—comparing them to safety laws designed to prevent future harm. With insights on GDPR, the EU AI Act, and more, he explains how companies can meet compliance using technologies like audit trails, immutable logs, and layered redundancy.

In a compelling conclusion, Adam shares career guidance for aspiring tech leaders. His key advice? Be a lifelong learner. Cultivate T-shaped knowledge—mastering specific domains while remaining broadly informed. Whether you’re navigating compliance, innovation, or organizational trust, his insights provide a steady compass in today’s complex digital landscape.

Whether you're a CISO, AI architect, data strategist, or tech decision-maker, this episode is a must-watch. It offers actionable frameworks for AI governance, data encryption, and leading with trust in an AI-first world.

Tune in to discover:

• The evolving landscape of AI-related cybersecurity threats

• How to future-proof encryption in a quantum world

• Techniques for building organizational trust and regulatory alignment

• Real-world strategies to secure sensitive data across enterprise ecosystems

🎧 Don’t miss this insightful conversation with Adam Gale.
Watch the full episode now and empower your organization to stay secure, compliant, and future-ready in the age of AI.