What Security Leaders Should Take Away From RSA—and Why It Matters Now
RSA 2025 made one thing clear: AI is everywhere—but not all AI is created equal. As security vendors rushed to showcase their latest features, Microsoft stood out not just for its innovation—but for its intent. At a time when the industry is saturated with buzzwords, Microsoft’s security strategy reflected focus, maturity, and a clear alignment with customer outcomes. Here are our top three Microsoft Security takeaways from RSA—and what they mean for enterprise security leaders.1. AI Is Everywhere—But Depth Matters
One of the most talked-about sentiments at RSA came from JPMorgan Chase’s CISO, who called out security vendors for superficial “AI-washing.” Many booths showcased AI integrations—but few could articulate how these features actually solve problems.“AI felt like a survival badge for some vendors—not a strategy.”Microsoft’s approach was refreshingly different. While proud of their Copilot integrations, Microsoft teams went deeper—emphasizing practical, scalable use cases and asking tough questions about how to drive real-world security outcomes. This distinction didn’t go unnoticed, especially among more seasoned security professionals who are wary of empty AI promises.
2. AI Readiness Is the New Shadow IT
Companies are split into two camps: those who recognize the need to prepare for AI-enabled security operations and those who don’t know how far behind they already are. This is where Ascent’s AI readiness track becomes essential. With Microsoft’s native tools (Defender, Sentinel, Purview), we’re not just bolting AI onto legacy tools—we’re helping customers:- Understand what good AI-enabled detection, response, protection and security controls looks like
- Build readiness for automation and Copilot-assisted workflows
- Reduce risk through smarter posture management
3. Microsoft Isn’t Just Selling Features—They’re Solving Problems
The most valuable conversations happened away from the expo floor—at Microsoft’s offsite sessions. Here’s what stood out:- Product teams actively asked for customer feedback to refine Defender and Sentinel
- Field sales leaders wanted to understand how partners can help customers reduce risk—not just license new tools
- Microsoft’s security message wasn’t “Look what we built.” It was: “How do we make this work for your security team?”
