February 10, 2026
by Abilio Duarte, Managing Director of Near.U for TEK Notícias
Generative AI is no longer an experimental capability in cybersecurity. It is rapidly becoming an operational necessity. From automated threat detection to vulnerability analysis and security operations support, GenAI is changing how organizations protect digital and industrial environments. Yet one fundamental question remains underestimated: who builds, operates, and secures these AI-driven systems?
This is where nearshore delivery models, particularly those rooted in strong engineering cultures like Portugal, become a strategic differentiator.
GenAI is a double-edged sword for cybersecurity. On one side, it enhances defenders’ capabilities by accelerating log analysis, prioritizing vulnerabilities, supporting incident response, and assisting security teams overwhelmed by data. On the other, attackers use the same technology to automate phishing campaigns, generate malware variants, and scale social engineering attacks with unprecedented realism. The result is a cybersecurity arms race powered by AI on both sides.
In this context, cybersecurity is no longer just about tools. It is about continuous engineering. AI models must be integrated, monitored, retrained, secured, and governed. Prompt injection risks, data leakage, model poisoning, and compliance with regulations such as NIS2 or IEC 62443 are operational challenges that require skilled, multidisciplinary teams.
Nearshore cybersecurity teams play a crucial role here. Unlike traditional outsourcing, mature nearshore models offer tight collaboration, cultural alignment, and real-time interaction with internal security and product teams. This proximity is essential when working with GenAI systems that evolve continuously and require fast iteration cycles, secure-by-design architectures, and close alignment between engineers, security specialists, and domain experts.
From our experience in nearshore delivery, the most successful GenAI cybersecurity initiatives share three traits. They combine AI expertise with strong security fundamentals. They are built incrementally, starting with assistive use cases such as vulnerability triage or SOC support before moving toward autonomous capabilities. They rely on stable, long-term teams rather than short-term implementations.
This is particularly relevant in critical sectors such as OT, energy, logistics, and industrial systems, where cybersecurity failures have real-world consequences. In these environments, GenAI must be explainable, auditable, and resilient. Nearshore teams with experience in regulated environments and cybersecurity standards can embed these principles from day one.
Looking ahead, GenAI will not replace cybersecurity professionals, but it will redefine their role. Security teams will increasingly act as AI supervisors, architects, and decision-makers. Organizations that invest now in the right delivery model, balancing innovation speed with security rigor, will gain a sustainable advantage.
GenAI is reshaping cybersecurity. Nearshore engineering is what turns that promise into secure, scalable reality.
