Cyber Security in the Age of AI with Naveed Islam CISO at Dojo

Tech on Toast, The Hospitality Tech Podcast

In this special edition of the Tech on Toast Podcast, host Chris Fletcher sits down with Naveed Islam, Chief Information Security Officer at Dojo, to discuss the state of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.From phishing and data breaches to payment fraud and quantum computing, this episode breaks down complex issues in a way that every operator – from small business owners to boardroom execs – can understand and action. Naveed shares insight into how Dojo is protecting customers and merchants, why digital identity is the new perimeter, and how hygiene basics remain the frontline defence.Whether you’re a restaurateur with a laptop and a dream or part of a national brand, this conversation is a wake-up call — and a roadmap — for staying resilient.💡 Topics Covered: • What does a Chief Information Security Officer actually do? • The rise in high-profile breaches: M&S, Co-op and the broader threat landscape • Why small and micro businesses are disproportionately impacted • Common attack methods: phishing, credential theft, software vulnerabilities • How AI is supercharging both scams and defences • “Ransomware-as-a-Service” and the dark SaaS industry • Payment security 101: card data as digital currency • What Dojo is doing to protect its customers (incl. PCI compliance) • Hygiene wins: the security basics that still matter most • Cybersecurity at board level: why 27% isn’t enough • The future: Agentic AI, identity as the perimeter, and the quantum threat🧠 3 Cybersecurity Trends to Watch: 1. Agentic AI – autonomous AI that detects and mitigates threats without human intervention. 2. Identity is the new perimeter – with SaaS and browser-based systems, verifying who you are is everything. 3. Post-Quantum Risk – encrypted data stolen today may be decrypted tomorrow; attackers are already harvesting.🔐 Key Takeaways: • Cybercrime is becoming more sophisticated, but also more accessible. Bad actors can now buy tools and services to launch attacks with little expertise. • AI is levelling the playing field – for better and worse. Attackers use AI to make phishing harder to spot; defenders must do the same to prevent it. • Smaller businesses can’t afford to ignore hygiene. Strong passwords, MFA, software updates, and staff awareness are low-cost, high-impact defences. • Board-level ownership is vital. With only 27% of UK boards prioritising cybersecurity, more education and regulation are needed. • Payments are prime targets. With card data trading for up to $30 per record, criminals see huge value in breaching unsecured systems.🛡️ How Dojo Protects Customers: • Point-to-point encryption – end-to-end secure transactions • Hosted payment pages – reducing the merchant’s compliance burden • Built-in AI detection – stopping phishing and fraud before it reaches inboxes • Light-touch PCI support – making compliance simple for SMEs🎧 Listen now:👉 dojo.tech👉 Available wherever you get your podcasts