Forward AI – Security Vulnerability Management with Forward Networks

The presentation highlighted a security vulnerability management use case that demonstrated a unique way to access Forward AI via Slack. In a common scenario, a CISO asked via Slack which devices were affected by a specific CVE. Forward AI, acting as an agent within the Slack channel, was prompted to investigate. It gathered vulnerability details and responded directly in Slack, identifying affected devices and providing a link to further evidence and details within the Forward Networks platform. The speaker addressed security concerns about Slack integration, emphasizing that specific integrations and channel restrictions are in place to ensure secure communication.

Beyond this demonstration, Forward AI aims to lower the barrier to network understanding by enabling users to ask questions in plain English rather than requiring them to learn complex, network-specific languages. It supercharges efficiency through an agentic architecture that can plan and execute dynamic, multi-step workflows, coordinating actions across multiple systems like ServiceNow and Slack. This capability instantly up-levels teams, enabling non-experts to solve complex network problems using state-of-the-art AI. The foundation of Forward AI’s effectiveness lies in combining the broad general capabilities of modern large language models with the deep, specific knowledge derived from Forward Networks’ mathematically accurate digital twin, which overcomes the challenge of applying AI directly to overwhelmingly complex raw network data.

Looking ahead, Forward AI, built on this robust digital twin, is designed to evolve into an agency system that can interact with other external systems via a general mechanism called MCP, fostering a thriving ecosystem of interacting agents. The core philosophy underpinning these agentic operations is trust, especially given the critical nature of network infrastructure. While striving for speed and efficiency, the current approach for Forward AI is to guide operators and provide deep insights, avoiding direct network changes to ensure safety and prevent unintended disruptions. The digital twin remains the essential foundation for enabling these trusted agentic operations, delivering measurable ROI.