Jocelyn King turns cybercrime trauma into AI-era safety book

Silicon Valley executive and cybersecurity advocate Jocelyn King has released a new book aimed at helping people protect themselves from online threats amplified by artificial intelligence. The book, Digital Self-Defense in an AI World, comes after King’s own experience with cybercrime led her to rebuild her life and launch Smarter Online Safety.

Why it matters: - Artificial intelligence is making scams, impersonation and fraud easier to scale. - King’s work targets individuals, families, entrepreneurs and organizations that need practical online safety guidance without technical jargon. - The book’s message is broader than cybersecurity. It frames online safety as a form of personal self-defense and peace of mind.

What happened: - Jocelyn King announced the release of her new book, Digital Self-Defense in an AI World: How to Protect Yourself Online. - King is the founder and CEO of Smarter Online Safety, a keynote speaker, podcast host and 20-year Silicon Valley executive. - King became a cybercrime target while working in Silicon Valley AI and machine learning. - The attack led to financial loss, cyberstalking, home privacy invasions, emotional trauma and long-term disruption. - King has been named a Top 10 Woman in Cybersecurity.

The details: - The book is written in everyday language instead of technical jargon. - It offers practical strategies and simple steps for protecting identities, families and personal accounts online. - King said the experience changed how she sees the world and who she can trust. - She said she began asking where to find a comprehensive, simple checklist for online protection. - When she could not find one, she created her own mission around it through Smarter Online Safety. - The release also points to the growing threat of deepfake scams, digital impersonation, identity theft, online fraud and social engineering attacks. - The press release cites FBI and IBM figures showing cybercrime and breach costs remain high, including an average $20,699 loss per cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2025, about $120,000 for a small business to recover from an attack, and $11.5 million in losses for a U.S. corporate data breach. - King said she feels grateful that her work now helps people protect themselves and live their best lives. - More information is available on Karen Hall’s site and the release’s social links include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Global Women’s Leadership Summit.

Between the lines: - King’s story is presented as a shift from victimization to advocacy. - The release uses her personal experience to argue that the emotional damage from cybercrime can outlast the financial loss. - The AI angle matters because it broadens online safety from a niche IT issue into a mainstream consumer concern. - The book is also positioned as part of a larger brand mission for Smarter Online Safety.

What’s next: - King will continue speaking, consulting and educating audiences on online and AI safety. - Smarter Online Safety is positioned to expand its mission as AI-driven threats become more common. - The book is intended to serve as a practical guide for readers trying to navigate the risks of the AI era.

The bottom line: - King is turning a deeply personal cybercrime experience into a public campaign for simpler, more accessible digital self-defense.