20MinuteLeaders

When Lucas Hu witnessed a deepfake breach his firm’s defenses, he recognized the limits of traditional tooling. Leveraging a decade of ML research and hands-on cybersecurity experience, he pioneered a “Swiss cheese” model—layering email, domain, and behavioral signals—to outsmart evolving phishing and deepfake attacks.

After witnessing a high-stakes breach test turn real, Joshua Crumbaugh shifted from underground hacking roots into marketing strategy, then combined both to pioneer ethical social engineering. At Phish Firewall, he applies behavioral science and AI-powered micro-simulations to train employees in role-specific threat responses and foster a culture of vigilant defense.

As deepfakes evolve at breakneck speed, Ofer Friedman sounds the alarm on how our senses and even biometric verification, can no longer be trusted. He reveals how fraudsters bypass security not by hacking systems, but by impersonating humans in real-time. From the rise of fraud-as-a-service to the failure of traditional AI defenses, Ofer unpacks a perfect storm threatening our digital identities....

Anthony Sahakian’s journey into deepfake detection began before the world even had a name for it. From navigating misinformation in authoritarian regimes to pioneering AI-driven solutions for enterprises, he shares hard-earned lessons on the limits of technology, the power of cognitive bias, and why the fight against digital deception starts with human awareness.

Cyber threats evolve constantly, but most organizations still rely on static, outdated risk assessments that leave them vulnerable. Mario Procopio challenges this mindset with CACR—Continuous Assessment, Continuous Remediation—a methodology inspired by agile DevOps principles that enables real-time risk visibility, adaptive security strategies, and faster decision-making. He breaks down how CISOs...

Cybersecurity breaches are unavoidable, making resilience and effective response critical for businesses. My conversation with Nimrod Kozlovski, co-founder of Cytactic, highlighted how AI can transform crisis management. Kozlovski, an expert in guiding Fortune 500 companies through cyber incidents, observed significant chaos during crises despite numerous external advisors. He noted that relying o...

At 64, Alan Cahn reframed his life with a purpose: to help people live with full hearts and enlightened minds. From a challenging childhood and early countercultural days to 32 years designing transformative experiences at Landmark, Alan’s path is grounded in deep personal work. In this episode, he reflects on the power of presence, the myth of being “stuck,” and the quiet discipline behind real c...

What happens when cutting-edge AI research meets real-world urgency? Yossi Matias reflects on decades at the forefront of innovation—from early machine learning to deploying life-saving healthcare tools and advancing AI agents that accelerate scientific discovery. Through stories of rapid transformation, he reveals how research, curiosity, and responsibility converge to shape technology with globa...

Cybersecurity is no longer just about preventing breaches—it’s now about enabling innovation securely in a fast-moving, AI-powered world. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everything from microservices to digital platforms, cybersecurity needs a major mindset shift. Daniel Shechter, CEO of Miggo Security, cybersecurity leader at 8200, and Havazalot program alumni, offers exactly that....

In a world where cybersecurity threats evolve faster than our defenses, AI-driven risks are becoming the frontline challenge for enterprises. To gain deeper insights into this rapidly shifting landscape, I spoke with Maor Saubron, Head of Corporate Security at Amdocs, whose decades-long journey through cybersecurity offers an unparalleled view into how organizations can effectively respond to emer...

Cybersecurity is once again at a critical crossroads—this time, driven by the explosive growth of AI technologies. During a recent visit to Descope’s Palo Alto office, I sat down with CEO Slavik Markovich, a veteran in the cybersecurity space whose past ventures, Demisto (acquired by Palo Alto Networks) and Sentrigo (acquired by McAfee), shaped much of the modern security landscape. Our conversati...

The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing complexity of enterprise data environments. In a recent conversation with Dan Benjamin, VP at Palo Alto Networks and co-founder of Dig Security, it became clear that securing data and AI requires moving beyond traditional perimeter-based strategies toward more dynamic, proactive...

Haunted by the rise of online antisemitism, Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor left a high-powered legal career to launch CyberWell—a nonprofit using AI to hold social media platforms accountable to their own policies. In this conversation, she shares how antisemitic hate moved from fringe forums to mainstream feeds, the troubling aftermath of October 7, and why current systems are failing to respond. Her wo...

Shalev Ifrah’s path is one of curiosity, creativity, and continuous growth. From launching his first ventures to building Israel’s leading digital marketing college, he shares how real-world learning, persistence, and strategic risk-taking shaped his entrepreneurial vision. His journey highlights the power of aligned partnerships, rapid adaptation, and turning insights into innovation.#20minutelea...

At nine, Roey Eliyahu was already coding. By 11, he was freelancing. His path from an IDF cybersecurity unit to founding Salt Security reflects a deep understanding of how microservices and GenAI transformed APIs from simple gateways to complex security risks. He shares why discovery, governance, and protection are now essential pillars for any enterprise navigating rapid innovation—and how early...

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Cybersecurity is at a turning point, driven by AI’s rapid rise. In a recent conversation with Matan Derman, CEO of Apex, we explored why integrating AI into organizations is inevitable—and why traditional security strategies must evolve to meet AI-specific threats. Derman, with a background in elite Israeli cyber units and Stanford Busi...

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Cybersecurity is at a turning point, driven by artificial intelligence (AI). My conversation with Jonathan Roizin, CEO of Flow Security—now part of CrowdStrike—reinforced the urgent need for organizations to rethink data protection strategies in an era of dynamic, fluid information exchange. The Shifting Nature of Data Security Roizin,...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping cybersecurity—not just for digital threats but also for critical physical infrastructure like railways. My conversation with Miki Shifman, Co-Founder and CTO of Cylus, underscored the urgent need to extend cybersecurity beyond traditional digital domains to protect transportation systems. Railway Cybersecurity: A Growing Concern Shifman, a cybersecurity ex...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a mere enhancement in cybersecurity—it’s essential. My conversation with Dr. Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point Software Technologies, reinforced AI’s transformative role in defending against cyber threats. As a pioneer in Israel’s cybersecurity sector, Dorit has been shaping security strategies for nearly three decades. AI’s Expanding Role...

Cybersecurity is at a turning point, largely driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). My recent conversation with Barak Schoster—a renowned cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur—highlighted AI’s profound impact on the field. Schoster, who founded Bridgecrew (now part of Palo Alto Networks), has extensive experience in advanced threat protection and innovative security solution...

Cybersecurity today is more dynamic and critical than ever, thanks to the transformative influence of AI. Liran Grinberg, Co-founder of Team8, highlighted this evolution in a recent discussion. Drawing on his experience from Israel's elite Unit 8200 and managing over $1 billion in ventures, he shed light on how AI is reshaping cybersecurity. He emphasized that AI isn't just enhancing existing tech...

After years in finance and a move from New York back to a kibbutz, Sagi Shentag led Tango from startup to $300M revenue before taking the helm at VOY. Now, he’s transforming global connectivity by making travel data seamless, affordable, and stress-free—turning a complex necessity into a simple, empowering experience. #20MinuteLeaders #GlobalConnectivity #TravelTechInnovation #EntrepreneurialJourn...

Growing up between Uganda, the UK, and rural Kentucky, Manish Patel’s journey led him from Stanford to Google and then into venture capital. Reflecting on technology’s human impact, Manish shares how today’s AI-driven chaos mirrors past moments of innovation—and why building around human needs, not just features, will define the next generation of companies.#VentureCapital #AIInnovation #StartupMi...

Sumedh Thakar, CEO of Qualys, delves into his journey from software engineer to cybersecurity leader, stressing the critical role of risk quantification in protecting business value. He highlights the dynamic nature of cybersecurity, tackling challenges like AI and quantum security, while offering insights into aligning security efforts with financial impact for long-term resilience. #CyberRiskMan...

The arrival of Generative AI marks perhaps the fastest and most dramatic technological change we've ever experienced, reshaping cybersecurity at a pace most organizations are unprepared for. A recent conversation with Elad Schulman, CEO and Co-Founder of Lasso, reinforced my understanding that organizations must rapidly adapt to this new reality, where threats evolve continuously and at an unp...