AI Security is Greater than Model Testing, It's an AppSec Problem
Learn why effective AI red teaming must go beyond model attacks to focus on securing the entire application against real-world threats.
Fergal Glynn
London, 3 March, 2025 – Dr. Peter Garraghan, CEO and co-founder of Mindgard, has been named Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. Garraghan’s groundbreaking contributions to AI security testing, his role in advancing global cybersecurity education, and his leadership in shaping the future of AI security.
Pioneering AI Security Innovation
A recognized expert in AI security and machine learning, Dr. Garraghan has led Mindgard in redefining AI security testing. Under his leadership, Mindgard became the first company to apply Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) methodology to AI, a game-changing approach that uncovers vulnerabilities in AI models during runtime — gaps that traditional security tools fail to address.
As AI adoption accelerates, the security risks surrounding AI models, from adversarial attacks to model poisoning, have become a growing concern. Mindgard’s solutions empower enterprises, governments, and security teams to proactively secure AI systems, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application.
Driving Education & Awareness in AI Security
Beyond his contributions as an entrepreneur and researcher, Dr. Garraghan has played a pivotal role in cybersecurity education. In 2024, he launched Mindgard’s AI Security Labs, a free platform that allows security engineers to simulate attacks on real AI models, including ChatGPT. This initiative has equipped hundreds of professionals with hands-on experience in AI threat detection and defense, accelerating the industry's ability to combat AI-driven cyber threats.
In addition to mentoring PhD candidates and leading AI security research at Lancaster University, Dr. Garraghan has advised the UK government and contributed to key policy reports on AI security, shaping national cybersecurity strategy.
A Visionary in AI Cybersecurity
With over 60 published scientific papers, Dr. Garraghan has helped redefine AI security testing as an actionable, solvable challenge rather than a hypothetical risk. His work has not only shifted industry perception but also provided security teams with the tools they need to defend AI models against real-world attacks.
As AI continues to transform industries, Dr. Garraghan’s contributions ensure that security remains at the forefront of innovation. His recognition as Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year solidifies his impact in shaping the next era of cybersecurity.
“We congratulate Peter Garraghan for your outstanding achievements in the Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year category of the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards,” said Holger Schulze, founder of Cybersecurity Insiders and organizer of the awards. “As we celebrate 10 years of recognizing excellence in cybersecurity, your innovation, commitment, and leadership set a powerful example for the entire industry.”
About Mindgard
Mindgard is the leader in Artificial Intelligence Security Testing. Founded at Lancaster University and backed by cutting edge research, Mindgard enables organizations to secure their AI systems from new threats that traditional application security tools cannot address.
