Prashanth Arun is Director of Data Science for Cisco’s AI Defense product line within the Cisco AI Software & Platforms Group. At the intersection of machine learning and cybersecurity, he leads the AI/ML research and development team that powers next-generation defenses for the enterprise. With nearly two decades of experience spanning cybersecurity and data science, Prashanth has held key roles – including leading data science organizations at industry pioneers including Juniper Networks, Netskope, and Armorblox. Prashanth's interests lie in exploring how AI can deliver meaningful value to customers—bridging cutting-edge research with real-world impact to enhance security, efficiency, and trust.