Dr. Peter Garraghan

Additional Info

Job title of nominated professional (or team name)Professor
Company (where nominated professional or team is working)Lancaster University
Websitehttps://www.lancaster.ac.uk/scc/about-us/people/peter-garraghan
Company size (employees)10 to 49
CountryUnited Kingdom
Headquarters RegionEurope

Overview

Dr. Peter Garraghan is the CEO and co-founder of Mindgard, a leader in Artificial Intelligence Security Testing. Founded at Lancaster University and backed by cutting-edge research, Mindgard empowers organizations to secure their AI systems against emerging threats that traditional application security tools cannot address.

As a professor specializing in computing systems, AI security, and machine learning, Peter has been driven by a passion for science that creates large-scale impacts on people’s lives. Since 2014, he has researched AI and machine learning, recognizing their transformative potential for society as well as the significant risks they pose – from nation-state attacks to election interference. Existing tools were not designed to address these challenges, prompting Peter to lead a team of scientists and engineers in developing innovative approaches to AI security. Mindgard emerged as a research-driven venture dedicated to delivering tangible solutions to counter AI threats, blending pioneering research with a commitment to industry application.

Peter is an internationally recognized expert in AI security. He heads a major research lab and oversees a significant portion of the UK’s PhD candidates specializing in AI security. He advises the UK government and contributes to DIST’s research reports on AI cybersecurity. With over 60 published scientific papers, Peter’s work bridges the gap between scientific innovation and practical solutions.

Accomplishments

Pioneering innovation in AI security: Dr. Peter Garraghan spearheaded the creation of Mindgard, the first and only solution to apply Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) methodology to AI systems. This groundbreaking approach addresses a critical gap in AI security by enabling engineers to identify vulnerabilities that manifests only during runtime - something traditional methods like static code analysis fail to achieve. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, Mindgard has empowered organizations to secure their AI systems efficiently, saving time and resources while ensuring operational resilience.


Educational leadership in AI security: Recognizing the complexities of AI threats, Dr. Garraghan has devoted his career to demystifying AI security for technologists and non-specialists alike. In 2024, his team launched Mindgard’s AI Security Labs, a free SaaS platform enabling engineers to simulate attacks on AI systems, including widely used models like ChatGPT. This initiative has equipped hundreds of professionals with hands-on expertise, transforming the understanding of vulnerabilities like adversarial manipulation and model poisoning into actionable insights. By bridging the knowledge gap, Dr. Garraghan has set a new standard for accessible education in this emerging field.


Driving a paradigm shift in AI security: Under Dr. Garraghan’s leadership, Mindgard has shifted the narrative around AI security from hypothetical risks to tangible, solvable challenges. His multifaceted contributions, like advising the UK government, mentoring PhD students, and addressing AI security risks for enterprises with the DAST-AI solution, reflect a commitment to empowering others to act against the unique threats posed by AI.


Dr. Garraghan exemplifies the fusion of technical innovation and educational impact, making him a standout candidate for Cybersecurity Innovator of the Year.


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