Review: The Cybersecurity Trinity
The Cybersecurity Trinity provides a comprehensive approach to modern cybersecurity by integrating AI, automation, and active cyber defense (ACD) into a unified strategy. Instead of addressing these elements in isolation, the author demonstrates how they work together to enhance security effectiveness, offering a practical and actionable framework grounded in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
About the author
Donnie Wendt, an adjunct professor of cybersecurity at Utica University, brings over 30 years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity, combining practical implementation expertise with academic research to explore security strategies. The book builds upon his doctoral research on security automation and deception, expanding into AI’s role in modern cybersecurity and offering theoretical depth and real-world applicability.
AI for cybersecurity
The book demystifies AI for cybersecurity professionals. Wendt clarifies that while AI is a powerful tool, it is often shrouded in marketing hype. He cuts through the noise, explaining how AI functions in real-world security applications such as intrusion detection, phishing prevention, malware classification, and insider threat detection.
Wendt describes AI as the foundation of cybersecurity, enabling better detection and triaging of threats by analyzing large amounts of security data at machine speed. The book provides examples of AI in email security, spam filtering, and anomaly detection, illustrating how machine learning models have evolved from basic rule-based detection to sophisticated deep learning algorithms.
Beyond its technical insights, the book also stands out for its emphasis on ethical considerations and the strategic implications of AI in cybersecurity, making it a resource for organizations looking to adopt emerging technologies responsibly.
Who is it for?
The Cybersecurity Trinity provides a clear and structured introduction to key cybersecurity concepts while also exploring real-world applications, industry challenges, and emerging threats.
This book is suitable for CISOs, security architects, and cybersecurity practitioners. Wendt presents a balanced perspective, showcasing AI’s promise while warning against blind trust in its capabilities.
With its accessible explanations and practical insights, it also serves as a supplementary guide for cybersecurity students seeking to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world security operations.