Ep113: Doron Reuveni | Co-Founder and CEO of Applause

Growing up between Uganda, the UK, and rural Kentucky, Manish Patel’s journey led him from Stanford to Google and then into venture capital. Reflecting on technology’s human impact, Manish shares how today’s AI-driven chaos mirrors past moments of innovation—and why building around human needs, not just features, will define the next generation of companies.#VentureCapital #AIInnovation #StartupMindset

28 Apr 21min

Sumedh Thakar, CEO of Qualys, delves into his journey from software engineer to cybersecurity leader, stressing the critical role of risk quantification in protecting business value. He highlights the dynamic nature of cybersecurity, tackling challenges like AI and quantum security, while offering insights into aligning security efforts with financial impact for long-term resilience.#CyberRiskManagement #CybersecurityLeadership #RiskQuantification #InfoSecStrategy #20MinuteLeaders

24 Apr 23min

The arrival of Generative AI marks perhaps the fastest and most dramatic technological change we've ever experienced, reshaping cybersecurity at a pace most organizations are unprepared for. A recent conversation with Elad Schulman, CEO and Co-Founder of Lasso, reinforced my understanding that organizations must rapidly adapt to this new reality, where threats evolve continuously and at an unprecedented rate.Schulman, a seasoned entrepreneur who founded and sold the cybersecurity company Segasec to Mimecast, emphasized that upon entering the Generative AI world about two years ago, it felt like stepping into a "new Wild West." "You need a new sheriff to catch the bad guys," he noted. This metaphor aptly captures the significant challenge organizations face today as traditional security models, built on static defenses and rigid tools, can no longer handle the dynamic, AI-driven threats.What's particularly striking about this transformation is the aggressive adoption of AI tools by employees themselves, without waiting for formal approvals or clear organizational policies. As Schulman explained, "Employees didn't wait for policy or enforcement; they simply started using these tools because they are extraordinarily effective." Such rapid, unsupervised adoption poses significant security challenges, from sensitive data leaks to exposure to new risks previously nonexistent.Lasso’s approach, under Schulman's leadership, focuses on providing organizations with comprehensive visibility into employees' use of AI tools. Instead of attempting to block the technology, their strategy enables safe and efficient AI adoption. "Security shouldn't prevent usage but enable it," Schulman emphasized. "We must help employees elegantly recover from mistakes rather than just block them."This approach represents a substantial shift from traditional security methods, which typically create user friction, harm productivity, and ultimately lead employees to circumvent policies. Organizations restricting AI usage risk undermining their competitive edge. Conversely, adopting this technology without adequate security exposes them to significant new vulnerabilities.Beyond security challenges, AI also opens new defensive opportunities. At Lasso, AI is employed to provide organizations immediate and active visibility into internal data flows, quickly identify threats, and neutralize them. "We are not just creating another security tool but an entire platform enabling organizations to adopt AI safely," Schulman said.From my perspective, we stand at a critical juncture. AI adoption is no longer optional—it’s already here, fundamentally changing the nature of work and security. Organizations strategically integrating AI within their security frameworks will secure a considerable competitive advantage. Those hesitant to do so will find themselves increasingly vulnerable to attacks leveraging precisely these technologies.As Schulman candidly summarized, "We are still learning as we go. Ignoring these changes simply isn't an option. The technology evolves nearly every week." In my view, this agile, adaptive, and proactive approach is precisely what cybersecurity leaders must adopt immediately.About Michael MatiasMichael Matias is the CEO and Co-Founder of Clarity, an AI-powered cybersecurity startup backed by venture capital firms including Bessemer Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst. Clarity develops advanced AI technologies protecting organizations from sophisticated phishing attacks and AI-generated social engineering threats, including deepfakes. Before founding Clarity, Matias studied Computer Science with a specialization in AI at Stanford University and led cybersecurity teams in Unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Forces. Forbes Israel recognized him early on, naming him to the exclusive 18Under18 list in 2013 and the Forbes 30Under30 list thereafter. Matias authored the book Age is Only an Int and hosts the podcast 20MinuteLeaders.

24 Apr 36min

A childhood love of tractors and a Navy career shaped Zac Staples’s path to founding Fathom5, the first company to deploy AI on a naval warship. In this episode, he shares how he's tackling the overlooked world of industrial machines—building platforms that bring AI to legacy systems powering national security and daily life. With a focus on trust, machine resilience, and sustainability, Zac offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on modernizing critical infrastructure in an AI-driven age.#AIinDefense #MachineTrust #CriticalInfrastructure

10 Apr 22min

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alumCybersecurity is at a pivotal crossroads, transformed by AI and the realities of hybrid work. In my recent conversation with Ofer Ben-Noon—founder of Talon Cyber Security and former CEO of Argus Cyber Security—it became clear that traditional cybersecurity strategies must evolve, especially as the browser becomes the primary gateway to enterprise data.With a background in Israel’s elite Unit 8200 and as a pioneer in automotive cybersecurity, Ben-Noon now leads Talon in redefining how organizations secure today’s decentralized workforce. His focus? The secure browser.“Control the browser, and you control the data,” he said. That simple yet powerful insight underpins a massive shift in cybersecurity thinking. As workers increasingly access corporate systems from personal or unmanaged devices, legacy defenses like firewalls and VPNs fall short. Ben-Noon, now also CTO of SASE at Palo Alto Networks, pointed out that 90% of enterprises allow access from unmanaged devices—and 85% of ransomware attacks stem from them.This challenge is compounded by SaaS sprawl. While companies officially use about 1,500 apps, they often have up to 8,500 unsanctioned ones operating in the shadows. This explosion of shadow IT, paired with the rise of AI, introduces massive vulnerabilities. Every day, Palo Alto Networks sees 7.7 million new malicious URLs and countless AI-generated malware strains. “AI dramatically accelerates both the complexity and volume of threats,” Ben-Noon warned.Yet, AI is also a powerful ally. Talon’s secure browser integrates AI-driven security directly into everyday workflows—no more clunky, bolt-on tools. This innovation transforms the browser from a weak point into a flexible, secure productivity hub. “The browser itself becomes the center of secure productivity—empowering users rather than limiting them,” he explained.I couldn’t agree more. Today’s workforce values autonomy and speed. A secure browser gives teams both, while protecting critical data in real time. Ben-Noon emphasizes proactive AI-driven defenses over reactionary ones: detecting breaches after the fact isn’t enough anymore—prevention is key.In closing, Ben-Noon shared, “We’ve made significant bets on three trends: distributed workforces, web-based applications, and the Chromium browser as the dominant digital workspace.” These trends, rapidly accelerated by AI, demand a fresh cybersecurity mindset.The organizations that embrace this shift—integrating AI and secure browsers into their DNA—will be the ones best equipped to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world.

26 Mars 37min

From overcoming startup challenges to driving regional innovation, Harel Ram shares his journey from entrepreneur to ecosystem leader. He unpacks the transformation of Beersheba into a global tech hub, the power of strategic partnerships, and the lessons learned in balancing vision, investment, and execution to create lasting value for startups, investors, and the wider tech industry.#TechInnovation #StartupEcosystem #BeershebaTechHub

24 Mars 25min

From military service to deep tech startups, Itamar Friedman has always been drawn to solving complex problems. Now, as the founder of Codo, he sees AI-driven code integrity as his life’s mission. In this conversation, he unpacks the rapid evolution of AI in software development, the future of automated code testing and review, and the critical role AI will play in ensuring software aligns with ethical and security standards. With insights on the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and the next wave of technological breakthroughs, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at how AI is reshaping the way we build, verify, and trust code.

18 Mars 32min

Trust is the new currency in cybersecurity. Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill reveals how cybercriminals exploit AI, deep fakes, and social engineering to infiltrate even the most secure organizations. With insights from his career tracking spies and securing critical infrastructure, he unpacks the evolving threats businesses face and the urgent need to rethink digital security. From real-world espionage cases to the vulnerabilities of global enterprises, he explores why protecting data isn’t enough—safeguarding trust is the real challenge of the digital age.

13 Mars 19min