Published 12:03 pm Monday, October 5, 2026
Elijah Cedemo, an engagement manager with the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), leads a session on artificial intelligence fundamentals at the Henning SEED Center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press)
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As digital threats grow increasingly complex, national cybersecurity experts are hitting the ground in Southwest Louisiana to help public sector groups fortify their defenses.
“If you don’t have policies or guidelines on how to use artificial intelligence, you’re going to continue to run into issues,” said Elijah Cedemo, an engagement manager with the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). “Even a benign attempt to use AI can cause problems. If you put sensitive information into ChatGPT, it doesn’t take malicious intent to create a catastrophic effect on an organization.”
Cedemo and fellow engagement manager Heather Doxon were in town last week for a joint initiative hosted by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and the City of Lake Charles. The event brought together regional representatives from local governments, school districts, law enforcement, and public libraries to collaborate on a unified approach to digital safety.
“It’s a way to bring in more local entities to share regional cybersecurity concerns,” Doxon said.
Some of those primary concerns include understanding current cybersecurity limitations, developing policy documentation to improve defenses, and navigating an unpredictable funding landscape.
“Organizations like us are trying to be either conveners of cybersecurity resources within the state or sole-security posture,” Cedemo said. “We’re a partner at the table. We’re an information-sharing and analysis center that goes beyond just cybersecurity resources to push community resources. We want locals to step outside, touch grass, shake hands, and learn together.”
The event featured seven sessions covering vital topics such as artificial intelligence, system hardening, and email phishing defense. When it comes to integrating AI into the workplace, Cedemo emphasized that the technology requires careful oversight and several layers of consideration.
“AI is a starting point, not a final answer,” Cedemo noted. “Treat it like you would a bank—know what you’re putting in and understand what you’re getting out. The money is your information. Be sensitive about what you put in there, and be wary of what comes out.”
Ultimately, the event highlighted that technology is only part of the solution.
“This is about communication and collaboration; that’s what is key,” Doxon said. “Cybersecurity is everybody’s business.”
