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Visa targets faster cyber fixes as AI reshapes security

Cyprus Mail · 2026-09-22

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Visa is enhancing its cybersecurity measures in response to the increasing threat of AI-driven cyber attacks and the rapid discovery of new vulnerabilities, as stated by Michael Ioannides, Visa’s Cyprus country manager. • Why it matters: The urgency for organizations to adapt quickly to these evolving threats is critical, as AI is compressing the time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation, necessitating faster responses to maintain security. • What to watch next: Visa is expanding its cybersecurity tools and advisory services, including the upgraded Visa Vulnerability Agentic Harness (VVAH) and new advisory services aimed at helping clients assess risks and strengthen their cybersecurity posture.

**Visa Targets Faster Cyber Fixes as AI Reshapes Security Landscape**

In a rapidly evolving digital environment, Visa is stepping up its efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the threat landscape. Michael Ioannides, Visa’s Cyprus country manager, highlighted the urgency for organizations to adapt quickly to the dual challenge of AI-driven cyber attacks and the discovery of new vulnerabilities.

Ioannides emphasized the need for organizations to maintain a comprehensive understanding of emerging threats while implementing practical strategies to expedite their responses. “As AI accelerates both cyber attacks and the discovery of new cybersecurity risks, organizations need a clear view of the threats, but also practical actions that speed up their response,” he stated.

In response to these challenges, Visa has announced significant upgrades to its cybersecurity tools and advisory services. The enhancements include the next evolution of the Visa Vulnerability Agentic Harness (VVAH), an open-source framework designed to assist organizations in reducing the Mean Time to Adapt (MTTA)—the interval between identifying and resolving vulnerabilities. Visa reports that some remediation processes, which previously took weeks, can now be completed in just hours.

Rajat Taneja, President of Technology at Visa, noted the pressing need for defenders to act swiftly. “AI is compressing the time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation, which means defenders need a faster, more reliable path to action,” he said. The advancements in VVAH aim to facilitate this transition from insight to validated remediation, thereby bolstering organizational resilience against an increasingly AI-driven threat environment.

Originally developed as part of Visa’s participation in Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, VVAH has evolved to extend its capabilities beyond vulnerability discovery to include remediation and validation processes. One of the key enhancements is the introduction of closed-loop remediation, which allows teams to refine fixes that fail validation without restarting the entire process. This feature is expected to streamline workflows and improve efficiency in addressing cybersecurity threats.

Furthermore, organizations now have increased flexibility in selecting AI models for their cybersecurity needs. They can deploy approved models from Anthropic and OpenAI, as well as other AI frameworks, through configuration changes rather than extensive code modifications. This adaptability is designed to enhance the user experience and facilitate quicker responses to vulnerabilities.

In addition to technological advancements, Visa is expanding its Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) Cybersecurity Advisory Practice. This expansion includes the introduction of three new advisory services aimed at helping clients assess risks, prioritize remediation efforts, and strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture.

The first service, AI Cyber Leadership Education, offers executive workshops, training sessions, and certification courses led by Visa’s specialists in AI and cybersecurity. These programs are intended to equip business leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an increasingly AI-driven threat landscape.

The second service, the VVAH-Informed Cybersecurity Maturity Assessment, assists organizations in applying the VVAH framework to identify potential vulnerabilities and evaluate their risk exposure. This assessment helps organizations prioritize their remediation efforts effectively.

The third service, the VVAH Cyber Risk Prioritization and Roadmap, provides strategic guidance for organizations to evaluate their findings, determine which remediation efforts should be prioritized, and develop a long-term cyber risk management strategy.

Since its open-source release in June 2026, VVAH has gained significant traction within the cybersecurity community, being downloaded by tens of thousands of developers worldwide. This reflects a growing interest in utilizing AI-powered tools for effective vulnerability management.

Visa is also actively participating in broader industry initiatives aimed at promoting safe and secure practices in the face of advancing AI technology. As a member of NVIDIA’s Open Secure AI Alliance, Visa is contributing VVAH as a model-agnostic framework. Additionally, through IBM and Red Hat’s Project Lightwell, Visa is collaborating with other organizations to enhance the security of open-source software.

As organizations face the dual challenges posed by AI-driven cyber threats and the rapid discovery of new vulnerabilities, Visa’s proactive measures aim to equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate this complex landscape effectively. The company's commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity offerings underscores the importance of resilience in an era where technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.

Source: Cyprus Mail
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