Callye Keen and Keith Palmisano discuss the innovative work being done at Rampart in the field of communication technology, particularly in defense applications. They explore the importance of understanding the physical layer of communication, the challenges of developing hard tech, and the significance of customer-centric product development. Keith shares insights on navigating the complexities of the startup landscape, including the 'valley of death' that many hard tech founders face, and emphasizes the need for collaboration within the startup community to drive innovation.

Takeaways

• Rampart is innovating in the communication space, focusing on defense and commercial applications.
• Understanding the physical layer of communication is crucial for security.
• "Layer Zero" security is foundational and often overlooked in cybersecurity discussions.
• Breaking the kill chain is essential for effective transmission security.
• Hard tech development faces unique challenges, including funding and commercialization.
• Customer-centric design is vital for successful product development.
• Navigating the valley of death is a common struggle for hard tech founders.
• Collaboration within the startup community can lead to transformative solutions.
• Product-focused thinking should evolve from simple solutions to complex systems.
• The right timing and market need are critical for startup success.

About Keith Palmisano

Keith Palmisano has over two decades of experience in cybersecurity — the majority in the US Executive Branch, as a research scientist, operations officer and technical leader. He’s made a career of researching vulnerabilities, leading teams of engineers and analysts, and communicating vetted and valuable intelligence to US policymakers. He is a recognized leader in wireless communications, offensive and defensive information security, and physical layer security. Keith holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Grove City College.

Links

Website: https://rampartcommunications.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpactual/