Why AI Is More Like Improv Than a Playbook With CISO Clayton Peddy
Clayton Peddy
August 5, 2026
When people think about cybersecurity, they often imagine rigid processes, strict rules, and carefully documented playbooks.
According to Clayton Peddy, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at ABBYY, today's AI landscape couldn't be more different.
"A lot of it is improv. Nobody has written the book."
It's an unexpected comparison, but an accurate one.
The rapid evolution of AI means security leaders can't simply follow established best practices—they're helping create them. That requires curiosity, adaptability, and the confidence to make informed decisions in an environment that's changing almost daily.
Clayton shares his perspective on responsible AI, modern ransomware, security leadership, automation, and why transparency is critical for innovation in the latest edition of Human Intelligence Driving ABBYY Innovation series.
Jump to:
AI is basically improv right now
Modern ransomeware: They steel first, threaten in minutes
Healthy scepticism: My first hack was at the library
Automate the boring work, master the basics first
AI innovation requires trust—not just technology
While AI continues to dominate headlines, Clayton believes the conversation needs to go beyond models and capabilities.
The real differentiator is how AI is governed.
At ABBYY, AI innovation is built on transparency, responsible governance, and clear communication about how customer data is handled and how AI fits into the overall product architecture.
For customers, trust isn't a feature added later—it's part of the design.
The ransomware playbook has changed
Cyber threats have evolved just as quickly.
Traditional ransomware attacks often focused on encrypting files before demanding payment. Today, attackers frequently steal sensitive data first, analyse it within minutes using AI, and threaten public disclosure almost immediately.
That shift demands a different defensive strategy.
Rather than relying solely on manual investigation, ABBYY combines:
- Strong security fundamentals and employee training
- AI to analyze incoming threats at scale
- Automation that can respond immediately before escalating to human experts
As Clayton explains, security teams increasingly resolve the immediate threat first and then bring humans into the loop for investigation and continuous improvement.
Security starts with healthy scepticism
Clayton’s journey into cybersecurity began with curiosity.
As a student, he discovered he could manipulate a library catalogue — adding books he supposedly authored just for fun. That first experiment sparked a deeper interest in understanding how systems work, how they can be adapted, and how they might be misused.
That curiosity became the foundation of his approach to security: looking beyond how technology is intended to function and asking how it could be challenged or exploited.
Over the years, Clayton’s work has combined engineering expertise with a broader understanding of security — recognising that protecting systems requires more than just technology. It requires strong processes, clear communication, and the ability to help people understand why security matters.
Automate the routine. Invest in people
For Clayton, AI isn't about replacing people.
It's about eliminating repetitive work so security professionals can focus on higher-value challenges.
But automation alone isn't enough.
Teams also need continuous learning—from new AI capabilities and compliance requirements to emerging security threats.
The goal is sustainable execution: accomplishing more through optimisation rather than simply adding more people or increasing budgets.
Trust should be easy to verify
Transparency is one of the strongest foundations of customer trust.
That's why we provide a dedicated ABBYY Trust Center, where customers and prospects can review security policies, certifications, compliance documentation, and governance information in one place.
Security shouldn't require blind faith.
It should be something customers can verify for themselves.
AI may still feel like improv, but trust doesn't have to.
By combining responsible AI governance, automation, transparency, and continuous learning, organisations can innovate confidently while keeping security at the center of everything they build.
Watch the full series of Human Intelligence Driving ABBYY Innovation to hear from ABBYY leaders on the future of AI, enterprise automation, and building trust in today's evolving business landscape.
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