AI and the End of Traditional Cybersecurity: A Conversation with Barak Schoster

AI and the End of Traditional Cybersecurity: A Conversation with Barak Schoster

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 solutions.


AI’s Role in Cybersecurity
Schoster put it simply: “The boundaries have been broken.” Traditional security methods, such as endpoint protection and perimeter-based defenses, are no longer enough in an era dominated by cloud computing and fast-moving data. By 2025, Gartner predicts that 85% of enterprises will primarily operate in cloud environments, demanding proactive and adaptive security models.


Emerging Challenges
Organizations are increasingly using cloud platforms and SaaS applications, introducing new risks. AI-driven productivity tools, while boosting efficiency, also heighten vulnerabilities—through unintended data leaks and unsecured exchanges. Employees frequently use tools outside corporate oversight, raising serious security concerns. Schoster noted that open-source adoption accelerates software distribution but requires strategic monetization. “We moved from single-player mode, where developers benefited individually, to multiplayer mode, which brought real enterprise value,” he explained.


AI’s Double-Edged Impact
AI both expands the attack surface and enhances defense capabilities. Schoster pointed out that deepfakes and automated phishing campaigns have significantly lowered the cost and complexity for cybercriminals. However, AI-powered security tools can automate complex tasks, improving efficiency and resilience.

The urgency is clear: AI-driven phishing attacks have increased by over 2,000% in the past year alone, according to Team8. This escalation highlights the need for real-time security interventions. Bridgecrew leveraged AI for instant monitoring and security enforcement, shifting cybersecurity from reactive threat detection to proactive prevention.


The Future of Cybersecurity
This transformation reflects a larger industry shift. AI can dramatically reduce vulnerabilities, minimize false positives, and enhance productivity by automating critical security tasks—allowing experts to focus on strategic objectives. Schoster predicts that static defenses and perimeter-based models will soon be obsolete. “Execution, speed, and adaptability have become more important than traditional moats like IP or patents,” he asserted.

Organizations must embrace AI-powered security strategies or risk being replaced by more agile competitors. As Schoster warned, “Those that fail to adapt quickly enough will inevitably be replaced by innovative, AI-driven newcomers.” The future of cybersecurity depends on agility, automation, and a forward-thinking approach.

Episoder(1146)

Ep56: Marcel Kornacker | Founder of Apache Impala

Ep56: Marcel Kornacker | Founder of Apache Impala

Marcel Kornacker is a tech lead at Cloudera and the architect of Apache Impala (incubating). Marcel has held engineering jobs at a few database-related startup companies and at Google, where he worked on several ad-serving and storage infrastructure projects. His last engagement was as the tech lead for the distributed query engine component of Google’s F1 project. Marcel holds a PhD in databases from UC Berkeley.

25 Aug 202018min

Ep58: Yaron Carni | Founder of Maverick Ventures

Ep58: Yaron Carni | Founder of Maverick Ventures

Yaron is the founder of Maverick Ventures. Previously, he founded the Tel Aviv Angel Group where he was involved in business development for its portfolio companies and five exits. He is a graduate of Zell Entrepreneurship Program (IDC) and holds an MS in Law. Yaron sits on the board of the United Hatzalah (non-profit Emergency Medical Services Organization which consists of over 6,000 volunteer first responders).

25 Aug 202022min

Ep59: David Paluy | CTO of Stride Travel

Ep59: David Paluy | CTO of Stride Travel

David is a serial entrepreneur, co-founded 3 startups, and built 6 marketplaces (3 of which exited). He has almost 20 years of engineering and startup experience and has been fortunate to invest in, advise, and mentor many startups in a variety of industries. Today, David is the CTO of Stride Travel, the #1 US marketplace for multi-day tours and adventure travel packages.

25 Aug 202021min

Ep60: Zoe Littlepage | Trial Lawyer at Littlepage Booth

Ep60: Zoe Littlepage | Trial Lawyer at Littlepage Booth

Zoe is one of America’s most respected litigators, having achieved more than $500M in jury verdicts and settlements for her clients. This includes more than a dozen trials on hormone therapy chases that resulted in verdicts in excess of $260M. She is passionate about complex cases including mass torts, defective medical products or drug cases, as well as human rights issues. Besides litigation, Zoe is an avid Burning Man participant and an incredible adventurer!

25 Aug 202021min

Ep54: Shahar Markovich | Chief Digital & Information Officer of EL AL Israel Airlines

Ep54: Shahar Markovich | Chief Digital & Information Officer of EL AL Israel Airlines

Shahar is the Chief Digital and Information Officer of El Al Israel Airlines, aiming to make it “the Smart Airline for the Startup Nation". Previously he was the Chief Digital Officer of Bank Hapoalim (Israel’s largest bank), where amongst many things he helped launch Bit (Israel's largest p2p payment app). He was recognized as Israel "top 100 influential people" in digital for 2017.

24 Aug 202023min

Ep53: Sean Sternbach | Co-founder of Venture Out, previously Senior PM at Amazon, Co-Founder at Gingr (acquired)

Ep53: Sean Sternbach | Co-founder of Venture Out, previously Senior PM at Amazon, Co-Founder at Gingr (acquired)

Sean is the co-founder and a Managing Director of Venture Out, a company dedicated to helping founders with big tech day jobs validate their startup idea before pursuing it full-time. Previously he was the entrepreneur in residence (EIR) for the Techstars Alexa accelerator, was Senior Product Manager at Amazon, and sold a B2B SaaS company, Gingr. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business.

24 Aug 202020min

Ep55: Sheryl Chamberlain | Global Alliances | Board Director | Diversity & Inclusion | Corporate Social Responsibility

Ep55: Sheryl Chamberlain | Global Alliances | Board Director | Diversity & Inclusion | Corporate Social Responsibility

As a global technology executive, Sheryl drives businesses to success, cultivates forward strategies, and aligns business goals. She is a leader and executive who is able to revolutionize practices and change the paradigms of business. A key business asset in numerous major technology moves, strategies, and programs, Sheryl has built a reputation as an instrumental business partner and asset.

24 Aug 202020min

Ep52: Doron Ish Shalom | Previously, Partner | Head of Strategic Partnerships at fresh.fund

Ep52: Doron Ish Shalom | Previously, Partner | Head of Strategic Partnerships at fresh.fund

Doron is a partner at fresh.fund and has extensive experience in the education sector. After studying education and philosophy he became the Director of Education in the Israel Innovation Institute, where he led the Ed.il activities. He is a founding member of MassChallenge Israel and joined JVP, one of Israel’s largest VCs. Doron is passionate about changing the way we think about education.

24 Aug 202023min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
utbytte
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
rss-sunn-okonomi
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
aksjesladder
lederpodden
stinn-av-gryn
okonomiamatorene
pengesnakk
aksjepodden
boligbobla