AI, Leadership, and the Human Side of Cybersecurity with Carnival CISO Margarita Rivera

In this episode of The Security Sitdown, we talk with Margarita Rivera, Global CISO of Carnival Corporation, for an honest conversation about leadership, AI, and what it really takes to lead security at enterprise scale.

From an unexpected start in cybersecurity to securing one of the world’s largest travel and hospitality organizations, Margarita shares the experiences that shaped her leadership style and career. We dig into how AI is reshaping both cyber threats and defenses, why security challenges are more universal across industries than many realize, and what leaders need to prioritize as technology accelerates.

The conversation spans third-party risk, breach response, and the constant tension between speed and security, including Margarita’s Formula One-inspired approach to building programs that enable innovation without sacrificing safety. She also reflects on representation, resilience, and why she’s more optimistic than ever about the future of cybersecurity.