Content by Michael Novinson

Okta CEO: Fix Identity Security to Prevent Most Cyberattacks

Michael Novinson  •  December 13, 2024

Okta co-founder and CEO Todd McKinnon outlines steps to secure enterprise SaaS, build standards with competitors, and address identity issues in generative AI apps. He also reflects on lessons from Okta’s breach and efforts to build safer products and harden the company's infrastructure.

Leadership Shift, AI Shape Check Point's Future: Gil Shwed

Michael Novinson  •  December 13, 2024

Gil Shwed plans to step down as Check Point Software's CEO after 32 years to assume the executive chairman role. Shwed discusses his vision for AI-led cybersecurity, Nadav Zafrir’s strengths as incoming CEO, and how Check Point will navigate emerging industry challenges.

Checkmarx CEO: Evolving Supply Chain Threats Demand Action

Michael Novinson  •  December 12, 2024

As software complexities grow, supply chain security is now essential to application security, according to Sandeep Johri, Checkmarx CEO. Johri discusses the challenges of malicious code, adversarial AI and the market's call for consolidated security platforms.

Google Gemini 2.0 Introduced With Advanced AI for Developers

Michael Novinson  •  December 11, 2024

Google's latest AI model can natively process and output text, images and audio in the search giant's push toward more autonomous reasoning, planning and action. The company said Gemini 2.0 is designed for applications ranging from development and gaming to research and everyday assistance.

AI Meets Fraud Prevention in LexisNexis-IDVerse Acquisition

Michael Novinson  •  December 11, 2024

To counter AI-driven fraud, LexisNexis acquired IDVerse, a London-based startup focused on document authentication and regulatory compliance. This acquisition aims to seamlessly integrate advanced tools into LexisNexis' fraud and identity platforms, enhancing global operations.

Citrix Acquisitions Boost Zero Trust Defense for Hybrid Work

Michael Novinson  •  December 10, 2024

Citrix enhances its security for hybrid work by acquiring deviceTRUST and Strong Network. Purchasing these European startups boosts protection for VDI, DaaS and cloud development, empowering organizations to enforce zero trust principles and reduce risks across their hybrid environments.

Security Blind Spots Rise as Process Visibility Falls

Michael Novinson  •  December 10, 2024

Manual security workflows and fragmented tool visibility create operational inefficiencies and governance gaps, said Oriel Vaturi, co-founder and CEO of Ovalix. Real-time process monitoring and automation can help organizations optimize security operations and reduce risk.

Astrix's $45M Series B Targets Non-Human Identity Security

Michael Novinson  •  December 10, 2024

Astrix raises $45 million to advance AI agent security and expand its global presence. The company plans to double its workforce, focusing on anomaly detection and fingerprinting techniques for non-human identities along the correlating information about human and non-human identities.

Here's Where Top Cybersecurity Vendors Stand as 2025 Nears

Michael Novinson  •  December 6, 2024

Three of the world's largest pure-play cybersecurity vendors recently reported earnings, grappling with SIEM and firewall displacement opportunities along with rebounding from a massive outage. Palo Alto Networks continues to reap the benefits of buying IBM's QRadar SaaS business.

Veeam Closes $2B Offering to Boost Data Resilience, Eyes IPO

Michael Novinson  •  December 5, 2024

CEO Anand Eswaran explains how Veeam's $2 billion secondary offering strengthens its financial position as the data resilience vendor prepares for an initial public offering. He discusses the company’s commitment to innovation and strategic pacts with Splunk, CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks.

Tenable's Amit Yoran Takes Medical Leave; Interim CEOs Named

Michael Novinson  •  December 5, 2024

Longtime Tenable CEO Amit Yoran is temporarily stepping aside for cancer treatment and recovery, with top deputies Stephen Vintz and Mark Thurmond stepping up to lead the organization. Yoran was diagnosed in March with a treatable form of cancer, but recently learned he needs additional treatment.

Nation-State Actors Ramp Up Cyberattacks

Michael Novinson  •  December 4, 2024

Nation-state attackers pose a growing cybersecurity threat driven by specific geopolitical or economic objectives. These actors often target organizations with valuable data, using advanced techniques such as reconnaissance, said Ryan Roobian, global solutions architect, Google Cloud.

Sixgen's Kyrus Acquisition Boosts National Cybersecurity

Michael Novinson  •  December 3, 2024

Sixgen will enhance its cybersecurity operations through the purchase of Washington D.C.-area Kyrus. The move introduces reverse engineering and analytics expertise to Sixgen's portfolio, aligning with its mission to protect critical infrastructure and bolster American cyber defense capabilities.

CyberEdBoard Profiles in Leadership: Michael Woodson

Michael Novinson  •  December 3, 2024

As former director of information security and privacy at Sonesta Hotels, Michael Woodson championed a proactive approach to cybersecurity. His leadership philosophy underscores the importance of cultural transformation and continuous learning in building robust security programs.

Upwind Raises $100M to Thwart Cloud Security Vulnerabilities

Michael Novinson  •  December 2, 2024

With $100 million in Series A funding, Upwind plans to enhance its runtime and AI-powered cloud security platform. CEO Amiram Shachar outlines the company's investments in engineering, customer engagement and scaling solutions to address vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations and insecure APIs.