Episode 8 - Secure by Design: Building Trust in the Age of AI with Iryna Schwindt

In this episode, we welcome Iryna Schwindt, Lead Secure-by-Design Manager at Vodafone Group, where she embeds security controls and guardrails across digital channels and AI-driven products serving millions of users. With a career spanning roles in cybersecurity engineering, risk management, and cloud security across Azure, AWS, and GCP, Iryna has become a leading voice on AI risk management, AI red teaming, and responsible AI implementation. During our conversation, she shares her inspiring journey into cybersecurity—from her early research on cryptography and embedded systems to leading Vodafone’ secure AI initiatives—and provides actionable advice for women entering or advancing in this dynamic field. Iryna also discusses how generative AI is reshaping security architectures, the importance of embedding “secure by design” principles into AI development, and her vision for aligning innovation with ethical responsibility in the age of intelligent automation.