Cyber Thoughts

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 inter...

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 conver...

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...

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 sta...

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, utilizin...

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 ins...

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 provid...

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.

In this episode of the Cyber Thoughts Podcast, Lucas is joined by Mike Privette, the founder of Return on Security, a must-read newsletter and blog focusing on the financial aspects of early-stage companies in the cybersecurity sector. Mike, who began his career as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), shares his unique journey in cybersecurity, shedding light on his transition from securit...

In this episode of the Cyber Thoughts Podcast, Lucas interviews Maxime Lamothe-Brassard, the founder and CEO of LimaCharlie, a Lytical Venture's portfolio company. Maxime shares his journey in cybersecurity, starting from his time at the CSE, Canada’s national cryptologic agency, through his stints at CrowdStrike and Google, and founding LimaCharlie.

This week, we speak with Greg Notch, the CISO of Expel, a recognized leader in managed detection & response. We start with Greg's background and then delve into the world of MDR and what he looks for in new technology.