In this episode of Cyber Thoughts, Lucas Nelson is joined by Mike Privette, founder of Return on Security, for a data-driven look at the state of cybersecurity funding and M&A. Mike breaks down why Q3 was such a strong quarter, how mega-deals like Wiz fit into the broader trends, and what his latest analysis reveals about the real role of AI in security. He also shares where he sees the most interesting opportunities emerging and what he’s tracking next in his deep-dive reports.

In this episode of Cyber Thoughts, host Lucas Nelson is joined by Dimitry Shvartsman, co-founder of Prime Security, and Taylor Margot, Lucas’ partner at Lytical Ventures, for a special two-guest discussion. Dimitry shares his journey from two decades in security operations to co-founding Prime Security and explains how the company won this year’s Black Hat Startup Spotlight competition. The conversation covers how to craft a compelling application, the importance of cutting a pitch down to its essentials, and why storytelling matters just as much as technical credibility. Taylor offers insight into how founders can connect emotionally with an audience and turn a technical demo into a narrative judges can’t ignore.

In this episode of CyberThoughts, host Lucas Nelson speaks with Ross Haleliuk, author of "Cyber for Builders" and a cybersecurity founder. Haleliuk discusses his journey into cybersecurity and why he views it as a horizontal, rather than a vertical, market. He introduces the concept of cybersecurity as a "market for silver bullets," where neither buyers nor sellers can guarantee a product's future efficacy, and explains why this, combined with high switching costs, makes market entry for new companies extremely challenging, despite the hype around new technologies like AI.

In this episode of CyberThoughts, host Lucas Nelson speaks with John Kanarowski, CEO of Implicit (formerly Agolo). Kanarowski shares the journey of Implicit, an AI company that pivoted from summarization technology to entity intelligence and now specializes in product expertise solutions using large language models (LLMs).

In this episode of Cyber Thoughts, Lucas Nelson and Mike Privette of Return on Security dive into their top cybersecurity predictions for 2025. From AI-driven data loss prevention to the rise of personal cyber insurance and the evolving IPO landscape, they break down key trends shaping the industry in the year ahead.

In this episode, Lucas Nelson welcomes back Mike Privette, founder of Return On Security. Together, they discuss Mike’s role as a fractional CISO and his unique blend of consulting, research, and insights into cybersecurity funding and market trends. The conversation covers highlights from major conferences like Black Hat and DEF CON, the evolution of AI in cybersecurity, and the importance of staying ahead of emerging threats. We're excited to make discussions with Mike a regular segment.

In this Cyber Thoughts episode, Lucas Nelson sits with Sameer Malhotra, Truefort's Founder and CEO, to explore his journey from the financial sector to cybersecurity innovation. Sameer discusses Truefort's genesis during a pivotal time in cyber defense, emphasizing their mission to halt lateral cyber threats through advanced technology. He also touches on the significance of partnerships, utilizing platforms for growth, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on navigating the startup world and envisioning the future of cyber protection.

In this episode of the Cyber Thoughts Podcast, Lucas Nelson sits down with Jeremy Vaughan, founder and CEO of Start Left Security. His unconventional path to cybersecurity was sparked by personal experience and professional opportunity. Jeremy details launching Start Left Security during a global pandemic, emphasizing 'starting security left'—at the beginning of software development. He shares insights on building a platform that empowers developers to create secure software, aiming to enhance consumer protection and national security.

In this episode of the Cyber Thoughts Podcast, Lucas Nelson sits down with Charles Henderson, a cybersecurity virtuoso and the global managing partner and head of X-Force at IBM. Charles delves into his intriguing path to cybersecurity prominence, from early 'conferences' to leading one of the industry's most storied teams. With anecdotes of his tenure abroad and with IBM's X-Force, Charles provides a firsthand account of the evolving cybersecurity landscape, the strategic importance of demonstrating ROI in security, and the power of mentorship and community in fostering industry growth.

In this episode of the Cyber Thoughts Podcast, Lucas interviews Justine Bone, a ballet dancer turned spy who became the first CISO of Bloomberg. Justine's experience as a founder of multiple cybersecurity companies also comes to the forefront, offering a rare insight into the industry's dynamic landscape.