CypherCon 2025

SafeGen: Accelerating Secure Generative AI Implementation

Vineeth Sai Narajala

Abstract:

The rapid adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) presents unique security challenges that organizations must address while maintaining development velocity. This presentation provides practical strategies for building secure GenAI applications, with a focus on AWS services like Bedrock and Amazon Q. We introduce a comprehensive security framework that addresses three critical areas: threat modeling for GenAI systems, secure integration patterns, and robust output validation mechanisms. Through real-world case studies, we’ll demonstrate how to identify and mitigate GenAI-specific vulnerabilities, including prompt injection attacks and data leakage risks. Attendees will learn concrete techniques for securing their entire GenAI pipeline, from input validation to output verification, with an emphasis on protecting sensitive information and preventing model hallucinations with an emphasis on speed and efficiency of the SDLC. The presentation includes hands-on examples of implementing security controls in GenAI applications, featuring code samples and architecture patterns that can be immediately applied. Security professionals and developers will gain practical knowledge about automated security testing for GenAI systems, session isolation techniques, and effective output validation strategies. By the end of this session, attendees will have actionable insights for accelerating their GenAI initiatives while maintaining enterprise-grade security standards.

Presentation Importance: There is a top down push for organizations to implement GenAI and quickly. As organizations rush to adopt GenAI technologies, they face unique security challenges that traditional cybersecurity approaches may not adequately address. This presentation offers critical, actionable insights for implementing robust security measures in GenAI systems, with a specific focus on AWS services like Bedrock and Amazon Q. By providing practical strategies, real-world case studies, and hands-on examples, this presentation equips security peeps and developers with the knowledge needed to balance innovation with security and quick deployments.

Importance: This talk outlines the theory of password cracking which has been lost over the ages, for years these techniques were considered standard, however writeups on them have been lost and videos of the techniques shared with the public would do well to bring these techniques to the forefront. In particular the takeout / cutb attack is only available on internet archive which is a shame as its highly effective.

Vineeth Sai Narajala

Security Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Vineeth is an GenAIApplication Security Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), specializing in core Data Analytics services such as EMR, Athena, and LakeFormation. He has been also instrumental in developing GenAI Security guidelines for service-to-service integration and development within AWS. Prior to his current role, he held positions as a penetration tester and in threat intelligence. Additionally, he gained valuable experience in Business Recovery and Disaster Recovery, particularly in mitigating ransomware attacks during his tenure at Nordstrom. Beyond his professional roles, Vineeth actively participates in the bug bounty scene and is passionate about contributing to the community. He has shared his expertise as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and has delivered guest lectures at his alma mater, the University of Washington, Seattle. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing and has recently started learning to surf. Vineeth also has a keen interest in classic rock and EDM music.