Smart Cities, Secure Cities

Episode 2: Smart Cities, Secure Cities: Urban Infrastructure Protection – A Conversation with Bryce Carter

Host: Kenneth Johnson

Guest: Bryce Carter, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Arlington

Duration: ~22 minutes

Keywords: Smart Cities, Critical Infrastructure, Generative AI, Deepfakes, Operational Technology, Security by Design, Third-Party Risk, Quantum Encryption, AI Ethics

Episode Summary

In this insightful episode of Secured with Dr. KJ, I sit down with Bryce Carter, CISO for the City of Arlington, to explore the evolving challenges of securing modern urban environments. Bryce takes us behind the scenes of city operations—where critical infrastructure like utilities, public safety, and transportation systems converge with rapidly advancing technologies.

We discuss the rising threats posed by generative AI, deepfakes, and nation-state actors, as well as the complexities of protecting operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Bryce shares his perspective on embedding security by design, managing third-party risk, and fostering a culture of resilience through executive and technical tabletop exercises.

Our conversation also ventures into the future—examining AI bias, data governance, explainability, and the encryption challenges that quantum computing may soon bring. Bryce’s community-first approach to security ensures that technology not only protects citizens but also enhances quality of life, trust, and economic vitality.

What You’ll Learn

• Why cities face unique cybersecurity challenges across multiple sectors simultaneously
• How generative AI and deepfakes are reshaping the threat landscape
• The importance of “security by design” and a proactive risk management culture
• Strategies for building resilience in interconnected urban ecosystems
• The role of AI ethics, governance, and bias testing in public sector adoption
• Why quantum encryption readiness is a growing priority for governments

Key Takeaways

• Cities operate like many industries in one—making cybersecurity vastly more complex.
• Generative AI and deepfakes will require both technical and societal responses to maintain trust.
• Security by design must be woven into culture, funding, processes, and development cycles.
• Third-party risk management is essential, but there is no silver bullet—collaboration and intelligence sharing are critical.
• Quantum computing may upend current encryption standards, requiring governments to prepare now.

Memorable Quotes

“When you think about a city… it’s really like a bunch of different subsidiaries, and protecting that is very complex.” – Bryce Carter

“Deepfakes could push us back to face-to-face interactions just for trust alone.” – Bryce Carter

“Security done right doesn’t impair—it enables better quality of life and economic value.” – Bryce Carter

Connect with the Guest

🔗 Connect with Bryce Carter on LinkedIn

Secured with Dr. KJ – Securing tomorrow, one episode at a time.

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