20MinuteLeaders

A childhood love of tractors and a Navy career shaped Zac Staples’s path to founding Fathom5, the first company to deploy AI on a naval warship. In this episode, he shares how he's tackling the overlooked world of industrial machines—building platforms that bring AI to legacy systems powering national security and daily life. With a focus on trust, machine resilience, and sustainability, Zac offers a grounded, thoughtful perspective on modernizing critical infrastructure in an AI-driven age.#AIinDefense #MachineTrust #CriticalInfrastructure

10 Apr 22min

By Michael Matias, CEO of Clarity and Forbes 30 Under 30 alumCybersecurity is at a pivotal crossroads, transformed by AI and the realities of hybrid work. In my recent conversation with Ofer Ben-Noon—founder of Talon Cyber Security and former CEO of Argus Cyber Security—it became clear that traditional cybersecurity strategies must evolve, especially as the browser becomes the primary gateway to enterprise data.With a background in Israel’s elite Unit 8200 and as a pioneer in automotive cybersecurity, Ben-Noon now leads Talon in redefining how organizations secure today’s decentralized workforce. His focus? The secure browser.“Control the browser, and you control the data,” he said. That simple yet powerful insight underpins a massive shift in cybersecurity thinking. As workers increasingly access corporate systems from personal or unmanaged devices, legacy defenses like firewalls and VPNs fall short. Ben-Noon, now also CTO of SASE at Palo Alto Networks, pointed out that 90% of enterprises allow access from unmanaged devices—and 85% of ransomware attacks stem from them.This challenge is compounded by SaaS sprawl. While companies officially use about 1,500 apps, they often have up to 8,500 unsanctioned ones operating in the shadows. This explosion of shadow IT, paired with the rise of AI, introduces massive vulnerabilities. Every day, Palo Alto Networks sees 7.7 million new malicious URLs and countless AI-generated malware strains. “AI dramatically accelerates both the complexity and volume of threats,” Ben-Noon warned.Yet, AI is also a powerful ally. Talon’s secure browser integrates AI-driven security directly into everyday workflows—no more clunky, bolt-on tools. This innovation transforms the browser from a weak point into a flexible, secure productivity hub. “The browser itself becomes the center of secure productivity—empowering users rather than limiting them,” he explained.I couldn’t agree more. Today’s workforce values autonomy and speed. A secure browser gives teams both, while protecting critical data in real time. Ben-Noon emphasizes proactive AI-driven defenses over reactionary ones: detecting breaches after the fact isn’t enough anymore—prevention is key.In closing, Ben-Noon shared, “We’ve made significant bets on three trends: distributed workforces, web-based applications, and the Chromium browser as the dominant digital workspace.” These trends, rapidly accelerated by AI, demand a fresh cybersecurity mindset.The organizations that embrace this shift—integrating AI and secure browsers into their DNA—will be the ones best equipped to thrive in an increasingly complex digital world.

26 Mar 37min

From overcoming startup challenges to driving regional innovation, Harel Ram shares his journey from entrepreneur to ecosystem leader. He unpacks the transformation of Beersheba into a global tech hub, the power of strategic partnerships, and the lessons learned in balancing vision, investment, and execution to create lasting value for startups, investors, and the wider tech industry.#TechInnovation #StartupEcosystem #BeershebaTechHub

24 Mar 25min

From military service to deep tech startups, Itamar Friedman has always been drawn to solving complex problems. Now, as the founder of Codo, he sees AI-driven code integrity as his life’s mission. In this conversation, he unpacks the rapid evolution of AI in software development, the future of automated code testing and review, and the critical role AI will play in ensuring software aligns with ethical and security standards. With insights on the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and the next wave of technological breakthroughs, this discussion offers a thought-provoking look at how AI is reshaping the way we build, verify, and trust code.

18 Mar 32min

Trust is the new currency in cybersecurity. Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill reveals how cybercriminals exploit AI, deep fakes, and social engineering to infiltrate even the most secure organizations. With insights from his career tracking spies and securing critical infrastructure, he unpacks the evolving threats businesses face and the urgent need to rethink digital security. From real-world espionage cases to the vulnerabilities of global enterprises, he explores why protecting data isn’t enough—safeguarding trust is the real challenge of the digital age.

13 Mar 19min

Inna Tokarev Sela has been at the forefront of data and AI, from her early days at SAP to leading innovation in enterprise analytics. She shares her journey of bridging the disconnect between technical and business teams, the challenges of AI adoption in enterprises, and how Elumex is transforming generative AI into a seamless tool for decision-making. With insights on AI governance, automation, and the future of application-free workflows, she paints a compelling vision of how businesses can harness AI for smarter, faster, and more intuitive data-driven operations.

11 Mar 25min

Michael Nov’s journey—from the Israeli military to enterprise software and entrepreneurship—shaped his approach to product security. He shares how AI can bridge the gap between engineering and security teams, ensuring security is embedded at the design stage rather than becoming a last-minute hurdle. Drawing from his experience at OwnBackup and now as co-founder of Prime Security, he discusses the challenges of scaling security in fast-moving enterprises, the evolving role of AI in risk management, and why proactive security is key to business velocity.

7 Mar 20min

In the chaos of Baghdad during her CIA tour, Michelle Rigby Assad discovered that working harder wasn't enough—working on the right things was crucial. Drawing from intelligence vetting techniques, she explains how questioning established processes and being intentionally curious can transform both personal growth and organizational success. Her book "Get Off the X" explores moving beyond comfort zones toward purposeful action, emphasizing that meaningful progress often comes from small, consistent daily steps.#20MinuteLeaders #GetOffTheX #EmbraceTheUnknown #PurposefulAction

2 Mar 20min