We are outsourcing what makes us human, our attention, emotions, judgment, and habits, without noticing. This talk uses a cybersecurity lens to show how AI quietly compromises the human operating system through small, almost invisible increments, and offers a simple framework to take it back.
Eva Benn is a Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft. Eva has spent more of her security in ethical hacking and penetration testing, both as a people leader and hands-on practitioner. Before joining Microsoft, she worked in Big 4 cybersecurity consulting, leading global penetration testing and cybersecurity initiatives across various industries. She is a globally recognized security leader, holding an extensive list of industry certifications, including CISSP, CEH, CCSP, Security+, GSEC, GCIH, GSTRT, GPEN, GWAPT, GRTP, etc.
As an international keynote speaker and educator, Eva is known for her disruptive thinking, unconventional storytelling, and high-energy stage presence. She has a unique ability to break down complex security challenges into captivating, actionable insights that inspire audiences worldwide. She frequently speaks on topics such as ethical hacking, the future of cybersecurity in the era of AI, and the intersection of cybersecurity and psychology. Eva’s presentations challenge conventional wisdom, offering fresh approaches on how to outpace attackers and rethink security in an AI-driven world.
Beyond her work at Microsoft, Eva is deeply involved in the security community, having served/serving on the OWASP GenAI Project, OWASP Seattle Chapter, WiCyS Western Washington, ISACA Puget Sound Chapter, the EC Council CEH Advisory Board, and the GIAC Advisory Board. She was also a founding Co-Chair of the Microsoft Women in Security and Co-Founder of Women in Tech Global. Her contributions to the industry have earned her global recognition as Top 20 Cybersecurity Women of the World 2024 & 2025, Top 20 Most Inspiring Women in Cybersecurity 2025 and a finalist for the Cybersecurity Woman of the Year 2024 in the People’s Choice category.
Outside of cybersecurity, Eva is a passionate mountaineer, frequently summiting Washington State’s highest peaks, including Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Baker, and taking on challenges in the Swiss Alps. Her love for mountaineering reflects her resilience, strategic mindset, and ability to push limits, qualities that define her both on the mountain and in the world of cybersecurity.
Eva is more than a cybersecurity leader, she’s a storyteller and catalyst for change, inspiring audiences worldwide to navigate the future of AI and humanity.
