AI Security Specialist

Role and mission

The AI Security Specialist defends machine learning and generative systems from attacks that classic cybersecurity does not cover, and maintains the confidentiality, integrity and availability of models and data. The role complements infrastructure security and works closely with the data protection officer, given privacy implications such as model inversion and membership inference. NIS 2 and the AI Act increasingly make this a mandated function — for a London bank, a Gulf energy operator or a defence contractor alike.

Main responsibilities

• Assess security risk across all lifecycle phases.
• Implement defences against adversarial and evasion attacks.
• Protect training data and model parameters.
• Monitor production systems for anomalous behaviour.
• Ensure compliance with the AI Act, GDPR and the NIS 2 directive.
• Coordinate AI-specific incident response.

Technical skills

• Cybersecurity foundations: network, application, identity, cryptography
• Machine learning and deep learning knowledge
• Python and ML libraries
• Adversarial machine learning techniques
• Threat modelling specific to AI systems
• Privacy-preserving ML: differential privacy, federated learning

Cross-functional skills

• Adversarial thinking and scenario anticipation
• Risk communication to non-technical stakeholders
• Knowledge of European AI and cybersecurity regulation
• Ethical responsibility for high-risk systems
• Collaboration with DPO and compliance teams

Training pathway and certification

The usual route is a degree in computer science or engineering with a cybersecurity specialisation, plus training in AI and adversarial ML. Prior experience in security operations or vulnerability research is valued. Strong security certifications — CISSP, CEH, OSCP — integrated with ML and LLM-specific competence are a recommended complement, and continuous updating is essential as new attacks are published constantly.

Market context

Demand is driven by NIS 2 and the AI Act across financial services, healthcare, energy, defence, telecommunications and central public administration. In Italy juniors earn €35,000–€55,000, mid-level €55,000–€80,000 and seniors €80,000–€115,000, with red-teaming and adversarial-ML specialists above €130,000; financial and defence positions pay more. Work reference points include the NIST AI RMF, OWASP Top 10 for LLMs, MITRE ATLAS and ENISA's threat landscape. A Dubai critical-infrastructure operator and a London insurer recruit against this profile. Related UNI 11621-8 roles: AI Data Engineer and Chief AI Officer. Return to the profiles overview.

European Digital Credential by AIPIA

AIPIA is authorised by the European Commission as an issuer of European Digital Credentials (EDC) carrying the eIDAS electronic seal. The credential is cryptographically verifiable, stored in the European digital wallet and recognised across all 27 member states. Issuance follows a defined route: AIPIA membership, submission of a competency dossier (CV, training, experience and project portfolio), assessment by the technical committee against the UNI 11621-8 criteria, an optional interview, and issuance with a QR verification code. The credential is valid for three years and renewable through continuing professional development. Two further routes exist: third-party certification under ISO/IEC 17024 — for which no Italian body is yet accredited, the process being in progress — and a professional quality attestation under Article 7 of Italian Law 4/2013 for qualifying members.