The Cyber Security Matters Podcast

Эпизоды

• Prepare, Don't Just Prevent: How Adaptive Crisis Simulation Is Transforming Cyber Incident Response - Episode 74 - Marlow Bryant, Reflex Security 29.06.2026 36мин

  Join hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose in episode 74 of Cyber Security Matters as they sit down with Marlow Bryant, co-founder and CEO of Reflex Security. This engaging conversation explores the evolution from static tabletop exercises to dynamic, AI-powered crisis simulations that adapt in real-time to team decisions.Marlow brings a unique perspective to cybersecurity, having spent nearly a decade in venture capital as VP at Marsh Capital and Clear Sky Security Fund, where he invested in cybersecurity and AI companies including XL, Spy Cloud, Mitigate, Accurate, and Together AI. His diverse background includes an unexpected stint in stand-up comedy, providing valuable insights into reading audiences and adapting communication styles.Key Topics Covered:• The journey from venture capital to founding a cybersecurity startup• Building early-stage teams and adapting roles as companies grow• Why organizational response matters as much as technical prevention• The limitations of traditional tabletop exercises and simulation gaps• How AI is transforming incident response and crisis preparation• The future evolution of the tabletop exercise market• Career advice for cybersecurity industry newcomersAbout Marlow Bryant:Marlow Bryant is co-founder and CEO of Reflex Security, an adaptive crisis simulation platform that replaces static tabletop exercises with AI agent-driven simulations. Before founding Reflex, he spent nearly a decade in venture capital, investing in cybersecurity and AI companies. He brings a unique perspective to the industry, combining technical expertise with experience in comedy and audience engagement.This episode is brought to you by neuco.
• AI, Patch Management & Endpoint Security: Mike Walters on the Future of Cyber Security – Episode 73 23.06.2026 30мин

  In this episode of Cyber Security Matters, brought to you by neuco, we speak with Mike Walters, President and Co-Founder of Action1. Mike explores why patch management remains one of the most critical, and often overlooked, areas of cyber security, how AI is transforming vulnerability management, and what organisations need to do to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.Mike reflects on the journey from co-founding Netwrix to launching Action1, sharing lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, hiring, and building a founder-led business with long-term vision. The conversation also examines the future of autonomous patching and why endpoint security is becoming an even greater priority as AI accelerates both cyber attacks and defence.Key topics covered:How Mike’s first computer at the age of nine sparked a lifelong passion for technology and cyber securityThe entrepreneurial influence of the founders behind Veeam and the belief that building a global success story was possibleBootstrapping Netwrix through determination and execution without outside investmentWhy maintaining focus became the most valuable lesson carried into Action1The advantages of remaining founder-led and making decisions with a long-term perspectiveBuilding high-performing teams by hiring for curiosity, adaptability, and passion over specific domain expertiseWhy endpoints remain one of the most vulnerable attack surfaces for organisationsThe importance of effective patch management and why it is often neglected despite its critical role in reducing cyber riskHow customer demand established patching as Action1’s core use caseThe impact of AI-powered vulnerability discovery and attackers operating at machine speedThe future of autonomous patch testing, with AI dramatically reducing deployment timelinesMike’s advice for cyber security professionals on continuous learning and adapting to an AI-driven landscapeGuest Bio:Mike Walters is President and Co-Founder of Action1, an autonomous endpoint management platform trusted by thousands of organisations managing millions of endpoints worldwide. A serial cyber security entrepreneur, he previously co-founded Netwrix, helping grow the business into a global leader before its acquisition by TA Associates. At Action1, Mike leads product strategy and go-to-market initiatives while championing innovation through founder-led leadership.Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cyberwaltersAbout neuco:neuco is a global executive search and recruitment partner specialising in Cyber Security, Media & Sports Technology, and Satellite, Space & Defence. By combining deep sector expertise with an extensive international network, neuco helps organisations secure exceptional leadership and technical talent while providing market insights through industry-focused content, events, and the Cyber Security Matters podcast. 
• AI Agent Authentication & the Future of Identity Security – Ep. 72 – Brian Bell, FusionAuth 10.06.2026 37мин

  In this episode of Cyber Security Matters, brought to you by neuco, hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Brian Bell, CEO of FusionAuth, to explore why customer identity has evolved from a back-office IT function into mission-critical infrastructure, and what the rise of AI agents means for the future of authentication and access management.Key Topics CoveredHow Brian's career across Japan, BCG, and consumer products shaped his approach to leadership and customer-centricityWhy identity sits at the unique intersection of security, user experience, and revenue growthThe evolution of CIAM from back-office IT utility to critical digital infrastructureLessons from leading Split Software through its acquisition by Harness - balancing customers, employees, and investorsWhat Brian looks for when hiring at growth-stage companies: the "say, do, say" framework and the Japanese concept of Shoshin (beginner's mind)How the talent landscape has shifted toward mission, culture, and leadership quality over compensationWhat drew Brian to FusionAuth: real business problem, massive market, developer-first architecture, and strong unit economicsFusionAuth's European expansion and traction in regulated industries including US government agenciesThe next frontier: non-human identity, AI agent authentication, and why CIAM is the critical infrastructure layer for agentic AIWhy businesses should own and control their identity infrastructure rather than being locked into multi-tenant SaaS platformsAbout Brian BellBrian Bell is CEO of FusionAuth, the developer-first Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) platform and the only enterprise-grade hybrid deployment solution in the market. With over 20 years of experience scaling enterprise software companies through IPOs, PE deals, and strategic acquisitions, Brian previously led Split Software through its acquisition by Harness, and served as CMO at Ping Identity and Zuora. Connect with Brian on LinkedIn.About neucoThis podcast is brought to you by neuco, the specialist recruitment and executive search firm for the cyber security industry. With deep sector expertise and a global network spanning 60+ countries, neuco connects the world's leading cyber security businesses with the talent they need to grow — from specialist hires to C-suite leaders. Whether you're scaling a security product company or building out a new market, neuco's dedicated cyber security recruitment team understands your world. Explore neuco's cyber security recruitment services.
• Fix It, Don't Just Find It: How AI Is Finally Solving Vulnerability Management – Episode 71 – Dominik Richter, Mondoo 03.06.2026 38мин

  In Episode 71 of Cyber Security Matters, hosts HarryBaldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Dominik Richter, Co-Founder and CPO of Mondoo, the agentic vulnerability management platform that doesn't just findsecurity flaws, it actually fixes them. Dom's journey into cybersecurity started with the 1995 film Hackers (and yes, Angelina Jolie may have played a part), which sent him down a path of learning to break into computers, reading Phrack magazine, and exploring bulletin boards. From there, he built a career spanning Deutsche Telekom, Chef Software, and Google before founding Mondoo.About the GuestDominik Richter is a founder, coder, and hacker who hashelped shape the DevOps and security space through projects like Chef InSpec and dev-sec.io. He co-founded VulcanoSec (acquired by Chef Software in 2015),headed security for Deutsche Telekom's first OpenStack Cloud, and worked at Google Cloud before co-founding Mondoo in 2021. At Mondoo, he leads product asCPO, building an AI-native platform that helps organisations prioritise and remediate vulnerabilities across cloud, on-prem, SaaS, endpoints, and the SDLC.Key Topics Covered●     How the 1995 film Hackers sparked Dom'scybersecurity career●     Lessons from building at Deutsche Telekom, ChefSoftware, and Google and the moments that inspired him to go the startup route(twice)●     The qualities Dom looks for when hiring in startups: noego, comfort with ambiguity, willingness to be wrong and learn●     How the hiring process has evolved at Mondoo especiallyfor engineers in the AI era, where interviews now include coding with andwithout AI agents●     The biggest learning curve: hiring salespeople●     The origin of the Mondoo name (German for"moon" tied to their extensible security graph concept)●     How AI is accelerating both attack and defence morecode, more vulnerabilities, more automation on both sides●     Where AI falls short: companies rushing to adoptwithout considering security, particularly around AI agent skills and supplychain risks●     Why coding skills changed "overnight" but theneed for people who understand customer problems is greater than ever●     What Mondoo does: agentic vulnerability managementfocused on prioritisation and remediation, not just scanning and reporting●     How Mondoo uses AI agents for prioritisation (businesscriticality, blast radius, exploitability) and remediation (producingautomation code for tools like Terraform, Chef, Ansible)●     Dom's advice: don't be afraid jump into AI, explore,and learn how to solve real problems with modern tools About neuco:neuco Group is a global specialist recruitment and executive search firm focused on the Cyber Security, Media & Sports Technology, and Satellite, Space & Defence industries.We help organisations hire niche specialist talent at mid-to-senior and executive levels, connecting businesses with professionals who possess the expertise needed to drive growth and innovation in highly competitive markets.Whether you're hiring now, planning future growth, or simply looking for expert talent market advice, we'd be delighted to help.Get in touch: hello@neuco-group.com
• Securing the Agentic Endpoint: How Manifold Is Building AI Detection & Response - Episode 70 - Mike McKenna, Manifold Security 14.05.2026 29мин

  Mike McKenna, Co-Founder and CRO of Manifold Security, to dig into why the jump from LLMs to autonomous agents is the biggest inflexion point in cybersecurity and why most existing security tools aren't built for it. Mike's path into cyber started with a stroke of luck: his then-girlfriend (now wife) fielded a cold recruiting call for Coalfire and pointed them his way. What followed was eight years watching Coalfire scale from 100 people and $30M in revenue to a compliance powerhouse, with Mike's average deal size growing from $30–40K to $300K. A formative stint at Protect AI under three-time founder Ian Swanson showed him what elite decision-making looks like at startup speed. When Protect AI sold to Palo Alto Networks, Mike and his co-founders, Neal Swaelens and Oleksandr Yaremchuk saw the next big gap: first-generation AI security was built for chatbots, not for agents that act autonomously across enterprise systems. Key Topics Covered: How a cold call and a quick-thinking girlfriend launched a 15-year cybersecurity career The mentors who shaped Mike's sales philosophy from craft improvement to enterprise rigour Why the jump from LLMs to agents is more impactful than most people realise Hiring sales talent for a category that barely exists yet prioritising plasticity over pedigree When to transition from founder-led sales to a dedicated team How AI is changing outbound sales and the second-order consequences of flooded inboxes First-gen vs. second-gen AI security: why classifying natural language isn't enough What Manifold actually does: runtime visibility into agent behaviour on the endpoint The AI bubble debate and why the demand curve looks different from late-90s dark fibre Mike's advice for anyone considering a career in cybersecurity Mike McKenna is Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Manifold Security, an AI Detection & Response platform securing autonomous AI agents on enterprise endpoints. Before founding Manifold, Mike spent eight years at Coalfire and served as part of the early go-to-market team at Protect AI (later acquired by Palo Alto Networks). Mike and his co-founders launched Manifold out of stealth in March 2026 with an $8M seed round led by Costanoa Ventures. He holds a degree from Johns Hopkins University and is based in San Diego. Find Mike on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikemckenna9 Learn more about Manifold: manifold.security This episode of Cyber Security Matters is brought to you by neuco. 
• AI Is Making Social Engineering Unstoppable, Here's What You Need to Know - Episode 69 – Bobby Ford, Doppel 05.05.2026 41мин

  In this episode of Cyber Security Matters, hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Bobby Ford, Chief Strategy & Experience Officer at Doppel, to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping the social engineering threat landscape. With nearly three decades in cybersecurity, from founding member of the Pentagon's Computer Incident Response Team to CISO roles at Exelis, Abbott, Unilever, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Bobby brings a rare blend of operational depth and strategic vision to one of the industry's most pressing challenges. Key Topics Covered: How Bobby accidentally fell into cybersecurity through a military assignment no one wanted The importance of being "gifted with opportunity" and the mentors who shaped his career Why Bobby believes there's an experience gap, not a talent gap, in cybersecurity The evolution of the CISO role, from firewall manager to business partner to two diverging paths What keeps CISOs up at night: personal liability and regulatory scrutiny Bobby's three hiring imperatives: appreciation, consistency, and the ability to listen Where the next generation of security talent will come from How AI is changing social engineering in four key ways: hyper-personalisation, volume, speed, and multi-channel attacks Why legacy technologies and awareness training alone can no longer defend against AI-enabled threats A real-world vishing simulation where help desk staff stayed on the phone with a deep fake agent for over seven minutes How AI reduces adversary reconnaissance from weeks to seconds Bobby's career advice: chase the problem, not the title. neuco are a Global Specialist Recruitment and Executive Search company in the Satellite, Space and Defence, Cyber Security and Media & Sports Technology sectors.
• Securing the Future of Software: ASPM, AI Code & the New AppSec Frontier | Episode 68 | Liav Caspi, Legit Security 13.04.2026 34мин

  Application security has always been a balancing act but AI-generated code has tipped the scales entirely. In this episode, Harry and Matt sit down with Liav Caspi, Co-Founder & CTO of Legit Security, to explore how organisations can secure modern software pipelines without slowing development to a crawl. From his early days in Israel's elite cyber intelligence Unit 8200, to co-founding one of the most forward-thinking AppSec companies in the market today, Liav brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and product-led thinking to one of the most urgent challenges in cybersecurity.They cover the lose-lose dilemma that inspired Legit Security's founding, why ASPM is becoming the cornerstone of enterprise security strategy, how AI is dismantling the technical moats of legacy vendors and what it means to secure software when AI agents are doing most of the building.Key Topics:Why the traditional approach to application security puts both developers and security teams in an impossible positionWhat Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) actually means in practice, and why it's becoming essentialHow AI is disrupting legacy AppSec vendors like Checkmarx and Veracode and lowering barriers to entry for challengersThe rise of "agentic AppSec" and what it means to secure AI-driven development pipelinesWhy AI fluency is now a baseline hiring requirement across every role in cybersecurityLiav's prediction that source code itself will become less relevant as AI takes over the build processThe talent challenge in AppSec: finding people who understand both security and software developmentGuest Bio:Liav Caspi is the Co-Founder and CTO of Legit Security, where he leads the company's technology vision and product strategy. He began his career in Israel's elite cyber intelligence Unit 8200, spending around a decade in various engineering, team lead, and project management roles. He went on to serve as Senior Software Engineer and Project Lead at Argus Cyber Security, before joining Checkmarx one of the pioneers in application security where he led architecture and product management for the SCA solution. In 2021, he co-founded Legit Security, which provides an AI-native Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) platform that helps large enterprises secure their entire software development lifecycle, from code to cloud. Legit Security is purpose-built for the era of AI-powered development, securing CI/CD pipelines, coding agents, and vibe coding environments.Sponsored by neuco. Cyber Security Matters is brought to you by neuco, the specialist recruitment partner for the cybersecurity industry.
• Stopping Ransomware Before It Starts - Episode 67, Glenn Wilkinson, Agger Labs 07.04.2026 44мин

  From dial-up curiosity to killing ransomware in milliseconds, Glenn Wilkinson has been inside the attacker's mind his entire career, and now he's using it to defend you. Hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Glenn Wilkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Agger Labs, for a wide-ranging conversation covering Glenn's journey from self-taught teenage hacker in the 90s to serial founder, and a deep dive into everything ransomware where it came from, how it became a thriving criminal industry, who it's really targeting, and what businesses can actually do about it. Key topics covered: How Glenn went from dial-up internet and underground hacker forums to founding multiple cyber security companies The hard lessons of the hacker-to-founder transition why great engineers often miss the business fundamentals The origins of ransomware: from the AIDS Trojan in 1989 (distributed on a floppy disk) to CryptoLocker's Bitcoin pivot in 2013 Double and triple extortion why backups alone no longer protect you How NotPetya (2017) marked the first major nation state supply chain attack, and why cyber is now a precursor to kinetic warfare Ransomware as a Service: the industrialisation of cybercrime, affiliate models, and initial access brokers Law enforcement fighting back Operation Kronos, hack-back legislation, and the moped theft analogy AI's actual (limited) impact on ransomware today and where the real risk lies Why SMBs are consistently the most vulnerable and the least prepared What any business can do right now to reduce ransomware risk The debate around banning ransomware payments How Agger Labs fits into the modern security stack: one thing, done well About the guest: Glenn Wilkinson is an ethical hacker, keynote speaker, and 3x founder. With a computer science background from Oxford and decades of hands-on penetration testing, Glenn has legally hacked 100+ organisations, spoken at Black Hat and DEF CON, and appeared on CNN and BBC. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Agger Labs, which builds lightweight ransomware protection that detects and kills attacks before encryption begins running from Windows 7 to the latest server editions, no signatures or AI required. Connect with Glenn: LinkedIn | glenn-wilkinson.com | agger-labs.com Cyber Security Matters is brought to you by neuco. 
• People Over Product: What Really Makes Cybersecurity Startups Succeed - Episode 66, Alison Eastaway, Push Security 10.03.2026 44мин

  In this episode of the Cyber Security Matters podcast, hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Alison Eastaway, VP of People and Culture at Push Security. Alison brings a refreshingly pragmatic perspective to the often-overlooked human infrastructure behind high-growth startups and shares why, in cybersecurity especially, the team really is everything. Alison's career is anything but conventional. Having started working at 14 in Australia and bypassed a traditional university route, she's built her expertise through hands-on experience across telco, hospitality, advertising tech, HR tech, and now cybersecurity, including a formative stint at screen, which was later acquired by Datadog. Throughout the conversation, she shares hard-won insights on hiring for culture fit in remote-first organisations, navigating today's complicated talent market, and why the best thing a great candidate can do in a first interview is simply avoid scoring an own goal. Key Topics: How Alison fell into cybersecurity and what drew her to the industry's pragmatic, low-BS culture Why she views her proudest professional achievement not as the Datadog acquisition, but as the Screen team group chat that still pings years later The "culture as a savings account" philosophy and why you need to invest before you need to draw on it The unique challenges of building and maintaining culture in fully remote or distributed teams The state of the talent market right now: why it's a buyer's market for employers, and what candidates can do to stand out amid AI-generated application noise Practical interview advice including why a first interview is really about not scoring an own goal How to handle having multiple offers on the table (and the smart question Alison always asks candidates first) What candidates switching from big companies to startups need to get right and the language mistakes that give them away Career advice for anyone looking to enter cybersecurity or move into a people and talent function Guest Bio: Alison Eastaway is a senior people and talent leader with extensive global experience across high-growth startups and scale-ups. She has led recruitment, people operations, and organisational development across Europe, the US and beyond, with leadership roles at companies including Poolside and screen the latter acquired by Datadog in 2021. Alison is currently VP of People and Culture at Push Security, where she leads global people strategy in support of long-term business growth. About neuco:We are a specialist recruitment and executive search firm, working globally in four sectors; Content & Media, Satellite & NewSpace, Connectivity & Cyber Security.If you are hiring for a new role or want to discuss your growth plans. Please do reach out to hello@neuco-group.com 
• Proactive Cyber Defense & Offensive Security Leadership - Episode 65, Ray Ruemmele, Evolve Security 02.03.2026 48мин

  In this episode of Cyber Security Matters, hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Ray Ruemmele, Chief Revenue Officer at Evolve Security.Ray shares insights from his 20+ year journey through enterprise technology, from selling typewriter ribbons at IBM to leading offensive security initiatives. The conversation explores the evolution of proactive cybersecurity, building high-performing teams, and why understanding your people is the foundation of great management.About Ray RuemmeleRay brings over two decades of leadership experience in enterprise technology and cybersecurity. Before joining Evolve Security as CRO, he led major growth initiatives as VP of Sales at Kudelski Security and held leadership positions at IBM, Lenovo, Juniper Networks, and Okta. Ray is known for building high-performing teams that drive sustainable revenue growth and specialises in offensive, proactive cybersecurity solutions.Key Topics Discussed:Career evolution from IBM typewriter ribbons to offensive security leadershipThe strategic value of big company experience versus startup agilityLearning strategic thinking through Harvard training and the Five Forces frameworkManagement philosophy: Understanding what makes your people tickThe 45 sales kickoffs spanning a career in enterprise techHow the COVID pivot changed sales forever and hiring for the new realityThe journey from individual contributor to managementBuilding effective sales teams: What Ray looks for in candidatesOffensive security and Evolve's Academy training missionWhat attracted Ray to Evolve Security and the Chicago connectionFirst year as CRO: Team assessment, tools, and the 1985 Bears analogyThe Zafran partnership and building a partner ecosystemAdvice for entering cybersecurity: Learning, labour, and patienceAbout Evolve SecurityEvolve Security is a leader in offensive, proactive cybersecurity solutions, specialising in continuous penetration testing and security validation. The company helps organisations move from reactive security postures to proactive threat identification and remediation.Connect with Ray Ruemmele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayruemmele/ 
• Why $50 Bribes Are Breaching Enterprises - Ep64 - Michael Waite, Dune Security 10.02.2026 37мин

  On this episode of Cyber Security Matters, hosts Harry Baldwin and Matt Rose sit down with Michael Waite, Co-founder and CTO of Dune Security. Michael shares his journey from enterprise consulting to building a venture-backed startup tackling one of security's stickiest problems: the human element.Episode SummaryMichael discusses how traditional security awareness training fails to change human behaviour and why the threat landscape has shifted dramatically toward off-channel attacks via WhatsApp and encrypted apps. He reveals how attackers are using AI-powered voice cloning and open-source intelligence to launch sophisticated social engineering campaigns, and shares his personal security practices. Michael also explains how Dune Security uses AI defensively to quantify individual risk and drive targeted interventions that achieve a two-order-of-magnitude improvement in employee security posture.Key Topics CoveredThe transition from hands-on-keyboard building to strategic leadership as a startup scalesHow Dune's CISO Advisory Council shaped the product from day oneWhy soft skills and curiosity matter more than technical expertise in hiringThe shift from email phishing to off-channel attacks on personal devicesReal-world examples including the MGM breach and $50 bribes in lower-cost delivery centresPersonal security practices anyone can adoptUsing AI defensively for individual-level risk quantificationChapters00:00 – Introduction01:12 – How Michael got into cybersecurity04:43 – Key influences and leadership lessons from consulting07:05 – Mindset shift from consultant to co-founder/CTO09:05 – Building the CISO Advisory Council10:59 – Talent acquisition strategy and team building13:51 – The skills shortage debate and what really matters in hiring16:58 – The state of enterprise security and the human element19:42 – Off-channel attacks and the WhatsApp threat23:03 – What motivates attackers: bribes, data, and disruption25:00 – Why no business is safe from AI-powered attacks27:00 – Personal security tips29:24 – AI on the defensive side: how Dune Security uses it32:47 – Changing the "tick the box" compliance mindset35:42 – Advice for those entering cybersecurityGuest BioMichael Waite is the Co-founder and CTO of Dune Security, a company focused on protecting enterprises from modern social engineering threats. His career spans building secure platforms, leading large-scale cloud migrations, and scaling security solutions for Fortune 50 organisations. Under his technical leadership, Dune Security has raised $8 million in pre-seed and seed funding.
• Why Patience Beats Shortage in Cyber Security - Episode 63 - Benny Czarny, OPSWAT 02.02.2026 46мин

  Welcome to Episode 63 of the Cyber Security Matters Podcast, brought to you by neuco. In this episode, hosts Gia Thomas and Harry Baldwin sit down with Benny Czarny, Founder and CEO of OPSWAT, for a wide-ranging conversation about rethinking cybersecurity from the ground up, the power of patience in building teams, and what inspired him to write his upcoming book Cybersecurity Upside Down. With over 20 years leading OPSWAT, Benny shares the journey behind building deep CDR (Content Disarm and Reconstruction) technology, why the industry's detection-focused mindset needs to be flipped, and how he's aiming to influence regulators worldwide. We also explore OPSWAT's exciting roadmap for 2026, including AI-powered engines, an optical firewall, a cybersecurity TV series, and ambitions for a public offering. Key topics covered: Why Benny wrote Cybersecurity Upside Down and how the book challenges industry norms The limitations of antivirus technology and why it was never designed to scan files Deep CDR explained: regenerating files to eliminate threats rather than detecting them Why cybersecurity training needs to be more holistic and less tactical The case against "talent shortage" - and why patience and training matter more Skills the next generation of cyber professionals will need, including fluency across LLM models OPSWAT's 2026 roadmap: AI prediction engine, optical firewalls, proactive DLP, and a Mythbusters-style TV series Leadership philosophy: the three honourable ways to leave a company Advice for newcomers: listen to your gut, innovate, and delight your customers Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:33 Benny's Journey into Cybersecurity 01:26 The Story Behind Cybersecurity Upside Down 04:37 Book Walkthrough and Key Concepts (slides) 19:21 Upcoming Technology and Announcements 22:23 OPSWAT's Cybersecurity TV Series 25:37 Advice for Writing a Book 27:52 Talent Challenges in Cybersecurity 32:04 Why Patience Beats Shortage 33:06 Skills for the Next Generation 36:55 Leadership Principles and Retention 38:06 Three Honourable Ways to Leave a Company 40:30 OPSWAT's 2026 Roadmap and IPO Ambitions 44:29 Final Advice for Aspiring Professionals About our guest: Benny Czarny is the Founder and CEO of OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity solutions trusted by governments, utilities, and enterprises worldwide. With over two decades of experience, Benny has built OPSWAT into a company serving customers across nuclear, banking, manufacturing, and defence sectors. He is also a respected speaker and author, with his upcoming book Cybersecurity Upside Down set to challenge conventional thinking in the industry. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennyczarny/ The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies in the cybersecurity space. 
• Why IAM Is a People Problem - Episode 62 - Dr. Heiko Klarl, Nexis 12.01.2026 38мин

  Welcome to Episode 62 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast, brought to you by neuco.In this episode, hosts Tom Wilding and Gia Thomas sit down with Dr. Heiko Klarl, CEO of Nexis, for an insightful conversation about identity and access management, cybersecurity leadership, and the evolving challenges facing enterprise security teams.With over 20 years of experience in security and IAM, Heiko shares his journey from academia to consulting to leading one of the industry's most respected authorization governance platforms. We explore why IAM projects fail despite excellent technology and smart teams, the critical role of change management, and how to build security teams that can adapt to rapid technological evolution.Key topics covered:Why identity and access management is fundamentally a people problem, not just a technology purchaseThe underrated importance of change management in global IAM implementationsHiring for curiosity and adaptability in fast-evolving cybersecurity rolesHow AI agents are exploding the complexity of identity governanceThe path toward passwordless authentication and what's holding it backManaging diverse teams and empowering them through trust and supportWhy academic foundations matter for continuous learning in cybersecurityCareer advice: be kind and don't lie - and why these simple principles matterChapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:19 Heiko's Journey into Cybersecurity02:31 Joining Nexis: A Perfect Match04:37 CEO Transition and Leadership Insights07:04 Challenges in Identity and Access Management13:12 Hiring and Managing Talent in Cybersecurity23:40 Future of Cybersecurity and AI35:16 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring ProfessionalsAbout our guest:Dr. Heiko Klarl is the CEO of Nexis, bringing over 20 years of expertise in security and identity access management. With a background spanning systems integration and consulting, Heiko combines strategic leadership with a deep philosophical understanding of technology. He specializes in enterprise authorization governance, delivering AI-powered solutions that simplify access governance, enhance security, and ensure compliance.The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specializes in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies in the cybersecurity space.
• Hypervisor Security & Team Building - Ep 61 - Austin Gadient, Vali Cyber 17.12.2025 31мин

  Join us for Episode 61 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast as we sit down with Austin Gadient, CTO and Co-Founder of Vali Cyber, a company revolutionising Linux and hypervisor security. Austin shares his journey from the Air Force Academy's competitive hacking team to securing the nation's satellite infrastructure, and ultimately co-founding Vali Cyber after raising $20 million in funding.In this conversation, we explore the critical security gaps Austin discovered while working with satellite systems in the US Air Force, the unique challenges of protecting Linux environments where traditional Windows-focused tools fall short, and how these real-world problems led to the creation of Vali Cyber. Austin discusses the father-son founding team dynamic, managing technical and business responsibilities as a startup CTO, and building a company culture that values diverse thinking and psychological safety.Key ThemesFrom hacking competitions to satellite securityLinux security gaps in satellite systemsBuilding startups with family as co-foundersPrioritisation over balance in startup lifeTechnical culture as competitive advantageLeadership through listening, not commandingHiring for learning ability over experienceHypervisor security as emerging threat category Missionary selling in nascent marketsStrategic investment for execution runwayChapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:04 Austin's Journey into Cybersecurity03:52 Founding Valley Cyber06:23 Balancing Engineering and Business08:26 Company Culture and Team Dynamics10:59 Industry Diversity and Talent Acquisition18:12 Hypervisor Security and Market Education24:10 Future of Cybersecurity and Final ThoughtsAbout the Guest:Austin Gadient is the CTO and Co-Founder of Vali Cyber, leading the development of high-performance Linux and hypervisor security solutions. He continues to serve as a Distinguished Security Engineer in the US Air Force Reserve, managing advanced space cyber capabilities. With experience securing satellite infrastructure and driving security research, Austin brings deep technical expertise to the emerging field of hypervisor security.Website: www.valicyber.comThe Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies in the cybersecurity space.
• Social Engineering Psychology - Ep 60 - Boris Goncharov, AMATAS & Plainsea 08.12.2025 48мин

  In Episode 60 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast, we sit down with Boris Goncharov, Chief Strategy Officer at Plainsea and Co-Founder of AMATAS. With over 20 years of experience in information security, Boris brings a refreshingly unconventional perspective to cybersecurity, shaped by his background in fine art and philosophy.Boris shares his fascinating journey from aspiring painter to cybersecurity leader, revealing how his early experiences with gaming sparked an interest in understanding how systems work and can be manipulated. He discusses how creative thinking and artistic perspectives enhance security problem-solving, offering unique insights that challenge traditional approaches to the field.Key Topics Covered:From fine art and philosophy to cybersecurity leadershipHow gaming influenced security mindset and hacking curiosityThe psychology behind social engineering attacksAI deepfakes transforming the cyber threat landscapeBalancing security paranoia with business enablementWhy the human factor remains the biggest vulnerabilityFoundational security practices that still work todayThe exhausting reality of constant learning in cybersecurityCareer advice: stubbornness, discipline, and sacrifice requiredChapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:16 Boris' Unconventional Path to Cybersecurity07:11 The Role of Creativity in Cybersecurity12:59 Challenges and Insights in Building Cybersecurity Teams25:29 Leadership Realizations and Communication30:13 The Evolution of Cybersecurity32:51 Complexity and Security Challenges38:43 Practical Cybersecurity AdviceAbout Boris Goncharov: Boris Goncharov is Chief Strategy Officer at Plainsea and Co-Founder of AMATAS, with over 20 years of experience in information security. His expertise spans information security strategy and management, cloud security, social engineering, penetration testing, and physical security. Boris has led enterprise-wide security programs across diverse industries and is an experienced instructor, having taught official CEH, ECIH, and CISSP courses since 2010. He is a frequent speaker at international security conferences.About Plainsea: Plainsea provides strategic cybersecurity solutions helping organisations navigate complex security challenges and build resilient defences against evolving threats.About AMATAS: AMATAS is redefining how businesses protect themselves against emerging threats through innovative security approaches and strategic consulting.The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.
• Partner Ecosystems & AI Security - Episode 59 - Norman Currie, Bricklayer AI 02.12.2025 38мин

  In Episode 59 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast, we sit down with Norman Currie, Head of Customer & Partner Experience at Bricklayer AI. With two decades of cybersecurity leadership across market-leading companies including McAfee, Hunters, Expel, and Optiv, Norman brings invaluable insights into building successful security organisations.Norman discusses how Bricklayer is taking a unique approach to AI-driven security operations by providing platform flexibility rather than selling fixed agents. Unlike many AI security vendors, Bricklayer allows customers to define their own procedures and build custom agents with specialised skill sets, giving security leaders control over AI outcomes.Key Topics Covered:Bricklayer's differentiated approach to agentic AI platformsWhy soft skills matter more than technical knowledge in cybersecurity careersHow to separate AI hype from substance in security productsWhether legacy vendors can compete with AI-native startupsThe future of customer success and channel roles in an AI-enabled worldCareer advice for cybersecurity professionals and industry newcomerChapters:00:00 Introduction to Bricklayer AI Platform03:09 Traditional AI Security Approaches03:40 Bricklayer's Unique Approach04:00 Customizable Security Actions04:24 Utilizing Specialized Skill Sets04:57 Flexibility in Defining Procedures05:15 Building Your Own Agents05:38 Conclusion and Market PositionAbout Norman Currie:Norman Currie is Head of Customer & Partner Experience at Bricklayer AI, where he applies his extensive experience in partner ecosystems, go-to-market strategy, and technical alliances. With leadership roles at McAfee, Hunters, Expel, Xox (now Optiv), and other market leaders, Norman specialises in building high-performance teams and scaling organisations through strategic partnerships.About Bricklayer AI:Bricklayer AI is an agentic AI platform focused on cybersecurity that provides customers with flexibility to define security procedures and build custom agents with specialised skill sets. Recently announcing the closure of their seed funding round, Bricklayer is experiencing significant demand from both direct customers and channel partners.Bricklayer AIs - https://www.bricklayer.ai/The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.
• People-Centric Security & Nudge Theory - Episode 58 - Tim Ward, Redflags 28.11.2025 33мин

  In Episode 58 of the Cybersecurity Matters podcast, we sit down with Tim Ward, Co-Founder and CEO of Redflags, to explore how behavioural science is transforming cybersecurity. With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate IT and cybersecurity consulting, Tim shares why traditional security awareness training often fails and how real-time contextual nudges can create lasting behaviour change.We discuss the limitations of phishing simulations, the importance of measuring actual behaviour change rather than training completion, and how data-driven insights can identify the 10% of users causing 80% of risk. Tim explains practical behavioural models like EAST and Mindspace that security teams can implement immediately, and why the industry is shifting from security awareness to human risk management.Whether you're a CISO, security leader, or cybersecurity professional looking to reduce human risk more effectively, this episode offers actionable insights on applying psychology to security challenges.Key Topics Covered:• Why phishing simulations don't create lasting behaviour change• Applying nudge theory and behavioural science to cybersecurity• Real-time contextual interventions vs traditional training• Measuring behaviour change and demonstrating ROI• Using data analytics to identify risk outliers• Managing AI risks and LLM usage• Critical security decision points to focus on• Building security teams and startup culture• Career advice for cybersecurity professionalsChapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:01 Journey into Cybersecurity02:10 Entrepreneurial Influences and Early Ventures04:37 Challenges and Growth in Entrepreneurship09:18 Recruitment and Company Culture17:29 Cybersecurity Awareness and Industry Insights25:40 Future of Human-Centric Security32:27 Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity ProfessionalsAbout Tim Ward:Tim Ward is the Co-Founder and CEO of Redflags (previously Think Cyber), a company that applies behavioural science to reduce operational risk in cybersecurity. With nearly 30 years of experience, Tim has worked in corporate IT and cybersecurity consulting, including serving as Global Head of Information Systems for BAE Systems. He studied Computer Science and AI at university and completed an MBA, with a particular interest in motivation and behavioural psychology. Tim is passionate about understanding what makes people tick and how to apply that knowledge to make security more effective.RedFlags - https://redflags.io/The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies. https://www.neuco-group.com/
• Making Cybersecurity Training Engaging - Ep 57 - Rune Knudsen, Moxso 26.11.2025 34мин

  In Episode 57 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast, we welcome Rune Knudsen, CEO and Co-Founder of Moxso, a Copenhagen-based cybersecurity company revolutionising how organisations approach human-less security through AI-driven adaptive security awareness.Rune shares his entrepreneurial journey from consultant to CEO, discussing the challenges of building a fast-growing startup in Denmark's competitive cybersecurity landscape. He offers candid insights into early-stage financial pressures, recruitment strategies for hypergrowth companies, and the importance of building a strong office-first culture.We dive deep into Moxso's human-centric approach to cybersecurity training, exploring how AI and behavioural intelligence can transform security awareness from a dreaded compliance checkbox into engaging, personalised learning. Rune explains why traditional generic training fails and how adaptive content tailored to individual risk profiles drives real behaviour change.Topics Covered:• Rune's path from consulting to cybersecurity entrepreneurship• Co-founding Moxso in 2021 and securing seed funding• The financial and emotional challenges of startup life• Best leadership advice: taking pride in your team's success• Recruiting and retaining talent in hypergrowth environments• Building bottom-up problem-solving culture• Why Moxso chose an office-first approach• Making cybersecurity training engaging and relevant• AI-driven adaptive security awareness platforms• Understanding individual risk profiles and behavioural intelligence• The future of personalised security training• Balancing work intensity with employee wellbeingChapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:01 Journey into Cybersecurity02:10 Entrepreneurial Influences and Early Ventures04:37 Challenges and Growth in Entrepreneurship09:18 Recruitment and Company Culture17:29 Cybersecurity Awareness and Industry Insights25:40 Future of Human-Centric Security32:27 Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity ProfessionalsAbout Rune Knudsen:Rune Knudsen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Moxso, leading the company's mission to make cybersecurity effortless, efficient, and integrated. Under his leadership, Moxso has become one of Denmark's fastest-growing cybersecurity startups, securing seed funding in August 2024 and scaling across Europe with its AI-driven adaptive security awareness platform.Moxso: https://moxso.com/The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.
• Hardware Security Threats & Supply Chain Risks - Ep 56 - Bentsi Ben-Atar, Sepio Systems 21.11.2025 32мин

  Join us for Episode 56 of the Cyber Security Matters Podcast as we speak with Bentsi Ben-Atar, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Sepio Systems, about the critical yet often overlooked world of hardware-based cybersecurity threats.In this episode, Bentsi shares his remarkable journey from a hardware-obsessed child to serving seven years in the IDF's elite intelligence unit to co-founding multiple successful cybersecurity ventures with partners he's worked with for over 30 years. We explore why hardware security remains a blind spot for many organisations despite being a significant attack vector for sophisticated adversaries.Key topics discussed:• The evolution from network security to hardware access control• How supply chain manipulation threatens even highly secure organisations • Why hardware-based attacks remain underreported compared to software breaches• The impact of AI on both offensive and defensive hardware security capabilities• Zero-trust approaches to validating physical devices on enterprise networks• The interdependence of hardware and software security• Practical advice for cybersecurity professionals on continuous learning and partnershipChapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:47 Bentsi Ben-Atar's Journey into Cybersecurity03:33 Influences and Career Highlights06:06 Lessons from Entrepreneurship09:23 Hiring the Right Talent17:09 The Reality of Hardware-Level Attacks25:48 AI and Machine Learning in Security31:18 Final Advice for Aspiring ProfessionalsWhether you're a CISO, security architect, or cybersecurity professional, this episode provides crucial insights into protecting your organisation from hardware-level threats that traditional security measures often miss.About Our Guest:Bentsi Ben-Atar is an experienced cybersecurity executive with decades of experience spanning business leadership, marketing strategy, and hardware and software security. As co-founder and CMO of Sepio Systems, he pioneers hardware access control solutions that give organisations visibility and protection against rogue devices and hardware-based threats.Sepio Systems: https://sepio.systemsThe Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.
• Deepfake Defence Alex Lisle on Protecting Reality - Cybersecurity Matters EP54 17.11.2025 51мин

  Join us for a fascinating conversation with Alex Lisle, CTO of Reality Defender, who brings 25 years of cybersecurity innovation to the fight against deepfakes and synthetic media manipulation. We explore how Reality Defender's multi-modal approach is protecting enterprises, governments, and high-profile individuals from increasingly sophisticated synthetic media attacks. Alex provides eye-opening examples of real-world deepfake attacks, including multi-million pound fraud schemes and nation-state disinformation campaigns, whilst offering practical insights on building effective defences. Key Topics Discussed: • The evolution from early internet hacking to modern cyber defence • Reality Defender's multi-modal approach to deepfake detection • Real-world examples of deepfake attacks and their impact • The importance of content provenance and authenticity • Building vs buying security solutions in emerging threat landscapes • AI's limitations and biases in security decision-making • The future of synthetic media and content verification Chapters;00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:55 Alex Lyle's Journey into Cybersecurity04:38 The Evolution of Technology and Hacking10:25 The Role of Curiosity and Problem-Solving in Cybersecurity27:04 Navigating the Startup World vs. Multinational Corporations27:53 The Rise of AI Manipulation and Deepfakes31:14 Practical Implications and Real-World Examples47:45 Future of AI: Creation vs. DetectionAbout Our Guest: Alex Lisle servs as CTO at Reality Defender, where he leads the technical strategy for detecting and preventing deepfake attacks. With over 25 years in cybersecurity, :Company: https://www.realitydefender.com The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.Connect with Us: Website: [Cybersecurity Matters Podcast] LinkedIn: [Cybersecurity Matters] Host: Gia Thomas Co-Host: Matt Rose #CybersecurityMatters #Podcast #SecurityLeadership