Bio
Sumona Banerji is a futurist, cyber-psychology researcher, and the founder of MindShield- an organization pioneering the field of Cognitive Security (CogSec), dedicated to establishing it as a vital vertical within cybersecurity for individual, organizational, and government protection. She began her journey as a documentary filmmaker, driven by the need to uncover complex narratives and protect those telling their stories. This led her to the realm of AI as a tool to gather testimonials while safeguarding individuals from surveillance— almost instantly sparking a deeper curiosity in how exponential technologies impact human behavior and wellbeing.
She followed up on her curiosity with a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation, where her thesis, “Future of Well-being: The Metaverse Era,” explored how emerging technologies shape human cognition, social behavior, and overall well-being. This laid the groundwork for her to identify emerging threats in cyberspace, particularly the psychological vulnerabilities that both individuals and organizations face.
In 2023, Sumona founded MindShield to address these threats head-on. Her vision is to create a world where Cognitive Security is recognized as a fundamental component of cybersecurity strategies. MindShield's mission is to develop AI-based training solutions that strengthen mental resilience and cognitive defenses against digital manipulation, misinformation, and social engineering—key tactics used in cyber-attacks.
Sumona aims to reshape how we think about cybersecurity, moving beyond traditional data protection to include the protection of the human mind. She continues to drive MindShield’s growth with a singular focus: to ensure that Cognitive Security becomes a key element of national security strategies, organizational defense protocols, and individual safety in the digital era.