In this episode of The CyberVault, I sit down with Tom Eston, Sr. Director of Professional Services at Snyk and host of the Shared Security Podcast, to explore what it really takes to build a long-term career in cybersecurity.

We cover:
👣 Tom’s journey from breaking into security to becoming a leader at one of the top DevSecOps companies📈 The mindset shift from individual contributor to manager and why it’s harder (and more rewarding) than people think🧠 The power of mentorship, and how giving and receiving guidance can completely reshape your growth🙅‍♂️ What security professionals often get wrong about “climbing the ladder”💬 Why community, curiosity, and communication are still the real superpowers in this industry

Whether you’re new to cyber or leading your own team, this one’s packed with grounded, real-world advice from someone who’s walked the path - and is helping others do the same.

In this episode of The CyberVault, I sit down with David Melamed, CTO and Co-Founder of Jit, to talk about building one of the most forward-thinking platforms in DevSecOps - and doing it before the acronym ASPM was even a thing.

We cover:

🧬 David’s unusual path from bioinformatics to cybersecurity

🚀 What it’s really like going from employee to founder - and raising a massive seed round early

🔧 How Jit built a DevSecOps platform ahead of the curve - and what kept them agile when GenAI changed the game

🧠 How their R&D team embraced GenAI without losing momentum

🔮 What’s next for Jit - and the mindset David believes every modern startup needs to survive

This one’s packed with insight for technical founders, product leaders, and anyone navigating security in a hyper-evolving industry.

In this episode of The CyberVault, I sit down with Casilda Angluo, Vice President at Forgepoint Capital, to talk about how investors really evaluate cybersecurity startups and what founders should stop obsessing over when raising early-stage capital.

We cover:
💡 What drew her into cyber investing from a background in investment banking and innovation📈 The signals that say “this startup has legs” beyond just the tech🎯 What first-time founders should actually focus on at seed stage🚫 What's overhyped in cyber right now and what’s worth watching🤝 The kinds of founders and ideas she’s actively looking to back

If you're building in security, looking to raise, or just want a sharper perspective on what VCs are watching in 2025, this one’s packed with clarity and straight-up value.

In this episode of The CyberVault, I’m joined by Rubi Arbel, CEO & Co-founder of Scribe Security, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a standout cybersecurity startup in one of the most crowded spaces in the industry: Application Security.

We dig into:
🛠️ The early vision behind Scribe - and the market gap it was built to solve

🌐 How to differentiate in a noisy, fast-paced AppSec ecosystem

🚀 What it takes to keep product and messaging relevant at startup speed

🏆 Why Scribe was named one of the top cybersecurity innovators to watch in 2025

🧠 The mindset shift every cyber leader should embrace to stay ahead

If you’re building in cyber, navigating product-market fit, or just trying to figure out what “differentiation” actually looks like - this one is packed with practical insight and founder-level perspective.

In this episode, I’m joined by Luca Todesco, Founder of Luce Capital and serial investor, to talk about what actually matters when backing early-stage companies - especially in fast-moving markets like cybersecurity and AI.

We dive into:
🚀 Luca’s unconventional journey into VC and why it’s his superpower🌍 The overlooked potential of the Italian VC and startup ecosystem🔐 Why cybersecurity plays a prominent role in his portfolio🤖 The art of the pivot and how some of his portfolio companies have successfully shifted into AI🔮 What Luca’s watching next: traits, trends, and signals he looks for in early-stage deals

Whether you’re a founder trying to stand out or an investor eyeing emerging ecosystems, this episode is packed with insight and honesty from someone who's actively shaping the next wave of innovation.

In this episode, I’m joined by Yaniv Han, Co-Founder & CEO at Perimeters.io, to dive into the journey behind one of the most exciting startups in the SaaS security space.

We cover:

• Yaniv’s path from a diverse career into founding Perimeters.io

• How he spotted a gap in a very noisy market and capitalized on it

• The biggest challenges (and wins) of building a startup in today’s crowded SaaS landscape

• The real impact AI is having on SaaS security and what’s coming next

• His biggest “wish I knew then” reflections from the past few years

  
  

This one’s full of sharp insights for founders, security leaders, and anyone navigating the chaos of modern SaaS.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jori VanAntwerp, Founder & CEO of EmberOT, to talk about the real-world realities of industrial cybersecurity - far beyond the buzzwords.

Jori shares his journey from tech leadership to building EmberOT, and offers a sharp perspective on what’s actually broken in how vendors, academia, and the wider industry approach OT security.

We dig into:
🏭 Why so many OT solutions miss the mark - and who’s paying the price📉 The disconnect between policy-driven certs and practical, operational outcomes🧠 Why terms like “IT/OT convergence” are often more confusing than helpful🛠️ What needs to change for the industry to truly move forward - and who’s responsible for leading it

This one’s a must-listen if you're serious about industrial cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, or simply tired of the jargon and ready for clarity.

In this episode, I’m joined by Garret Grajek, Founder & CEO of YouAttest, identity expert, and inventor with 10+ patents in the space.

Garret shares his journey from leading at IBM, Cisco, SecureAuth and Cylance - to building YouAttest with a mission to solve what legacy identity systems still haven’t.

We dive into:

🧩 Why identity is still one of the most complex and underserved areas in cyber

📉 Where legacy IAM solutions are falling short - and how vendors can close the gap

🚀 What MSSPs need to do now to stay competitive

🔮 Predictions for the future of identity, compliance, and automation

If you're in identity, access management, or just curious where this red-hot space is headed - this one's packed with insight.

In this inspiring episode, I speak with Rebecca Taylor, Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager at SecureWorks a Sophos company. She shares how her non-technical background became a powerful advantage in cyber

We dive into:

If you're curious about non‑technical paths into cybersecurity, effective ways to elevate diverse talent, or how storytelling can transform threat intel - this is a can't-miss conversation.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jim Rutt, seasoned CISO and strategic advisor, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to lead and grow in cybersecurity today.

We cover:
🔑 The evolving role of the modern CISO - and why it’s not just about tech anymore💬 The human side of security: leadership, communication, and trust📉 The skill gaps that are still stalling candidates (and how to fix them)📈 How to build a team that can scale with the business - and actually reduce risk🎯 Practical advice for early-career professionals and security leaders alike

Jim brings sharp insight from both the boardroom and the trenches - this episode is packed with wisdom whether you're looking to lead a team, land your next role, or just level up your impact in cyber.