Passwordless Security in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Slavik Markovich, CEO of Descope

Passwordless Security in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Slavik Markovich, CEO of Descope

Cybersecurity is once again at a critical crossroads—this time, driven by the explosive growth of AI technologies. During a recent visit to Descope’s Palo Alto office, I sat down with CEO Slavik Markovich, a veteran in the cybersecurity space whose past ventures, Demisto (acquired by Palo Alto Networks) and Sentrigo (acquired by McAfee), shaped much of the modern security landscape. Our conversation centered around how AI is radically reshaping digital identity.


Slavik and his team—collaborators for nearly three decades—launched Descope with a bold mission: eliminate passwords altogether. “Passwords are the worst of both worlds,” he noted, “hard for humans to remember and easy for computers to crack.” As AI supercharges phishing and other attack vectors, traditional passwords only grow more inadequate.


Instead, Slavik advocates for passkeys—phishing-resistant, cryptographic keys stored locally and authenticated via biometrics, without ever exposing the biometric data. It's a fundamentally more secure and seamless approach to authentication.


Descope’s innovation doesn’t stop there. As AI evolves into “agentic” form—digital agents acting on behalf of users—the company is tackling a new security frontier. These agents don’t fit neatly into existing models of user authentication or machine-to-machine trust. “The industry is shifting toward agentic AI,” Slavik explained, “and that’s expanding the scale and complexity of identity management.”


One surprisingly common challenge they’re solving is the "confused agent problem," where digital agents unintentionally act with higher privileges than intended. Descope positions itself as the intermediary—managing progressive authorization, mediating between users, agents, and applications, and ensuring secure, compliant interactions.


For CISOs and enterprise leaders, this shift presents both urgency and opportunity. AI is no longer an emerging edge case—it’s embedded in tools and workflows across organizations. Security teams must act swiftly to secure agent-driven interactions and identity touchpoints or risk falling behind.


At Clarity, where I focus on AI-powered threats like deepfakes and next-gen phishing, I see firsthand how vital identity management has become. It’s no longer just a login issue—it’s the first and most critical line of defense. Security solutions must be both robust and frictionless, balancing user experience with airtight protection.


Slavik also shared a personal insight that stood out to me: “We prioritize having fun. We’ve built multiple companies together because we genuinely enjoy the journey.” That mindset resonates. The best cybersecurity innovations come from passionate teams that love solving hard problems, not just building defenses.


The identity revolution is already underway. Organizations that embrace passwordless, agent-aware authentication now will dramatically improve both their security and user experience. Those that delay will face rising vulnerabilities and growing user frustration.


Our industry isn’t just evolving—it’s undergoing a full-scale transformation. Proactively embracing agentic AI, passkeys, and adaptive identity strategies is not just smart—it’s essential. Those who lead will define the future of digital trust. Those who don’t may find themselves struggling to catch up in a threat landscape redefined by AI.

Avsnitt(1170)

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Yaron Morgenstern, with extensive experience in tech, discusses his path from a startup to guiding Glassbox. He explores the changing landscape of digital customer interactions, the role of Gen AI, and managing personal development alongside professional hurdles.

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In this episode, Mark Gerson, Chairman of United Hatzalah of Israel, shares his transformative journey from corporate success to impactful philanthropy. He delves into the principles of ROI in charitable giving, emphasizing the profound impact of strategic philanthropy on global health and education. His story is a testament to the power of compassionate, results-driven giving.

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Ready for a dose of inspiration? Tune into the latest 20 Minute Leaders episode featuring the incredible Yair Snir! 🎧 From his early days as a student who struggled to find his path, to becoming a titan in the tech investment sphere, Yair's story is a rollercoaster of determination and transformation. Discover how Yair turned every 'No' into a stepping stone for success, and learn why he believes challenges are just hidden opportunities. He gives us a sneak peek into the high-stakes world of venture capital, shedding light on what makes a team not just good but great. As a key figure at Dell Capital, Yair discusses the art of identifying breakthrough ideas and the importance of a balanced founding team. Plus, get his unique take on leveraging strengths and embracing weaknesses. This episode is more than just a conversation; it's a journey through resilience, innovation, and self-belief. So, grab your headphones and join us for an enlightening session with Yair Snir – it's a story you don't want to miss! #20MinuteLeaders #TechInvestment #Resilience #YairSnir

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Ep1062: David McQuarrie | Chief Commercial Officer, HP

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Welcome to another exciting episode of 20 Minute Leaders! David McQuarrie, Chief Commercial Officer of HP, will be joining us today for a fascinating discussion on leadership, values, and the future of work.Dive into the world of HP with David as he shares the core principles that drive the company forward and how these align with his personal values. He talks about the transformative impact of hybrid work models and how they're reshaping the corporate landscape.David opens up about the profound influence of his inner circle on shaping his leadership style. He stresses the importance of corporate responsibility and the conscious choices leaders must make to steer their organizations in the right direction.We'll unpack some key quotes from David that highlight the significant impact of our environment, the invaluable nature of time, and the immense power our reactions hold in defining our paths.As we delve into this conversation, we explore how a leader's legacy is deeply intertwined with their personal and professional values, creating a blueprint for future generations.Join us for this insightful journey with David McQuarrie, right here on 20MinuteLeaders! #LeadershipInsights #HPInnovation #20MinuteLeaders

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Ep1061: With its counter-drone technology, Startup Xtend plays a crucial role in the ongoing war

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Xtend CEO Aviv Shapira gives insights into how their team has dedicated 100% of their efforts to partnership with the IDF

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Ep1060: Mavens and Zynga Step Up for Employees and the Broader Public

Leading with empathy, Zynga and mavens have developed several initiatives to ensure the mental well-being of their employees and the long-term well-being of the victims directly affected by the ongoing war

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Ep1059:UBQ Materials Unyielding Spirit in the Face of Devastating Loss

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An interview with Jack Tato Bigio The climate tech company lost two of its team members to the Hamas massacre. This is their story of resilience and the fighting spirit that characterizes our nation.

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Ep1058: Children’s Fund: Investing in the Future of Our Young Victims

Ep1058: Children’s Fund: Investing in the Future of Our Young Victims

Investors and entrepreneurs have banded together to do all in their power to ensure the young victims in our nation have the opportunity to lead exceptional lives.

27 Nov 202315min

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