Securing AI Adoption: A Conversation with Matan Derman, Co-founder & CEO of Apex

From phishing tests to AI-driven impersonation scams, Joshua Scarpino has seen firsthand how the human element remains the most critical factor in cybersecurity. Drawing on his experience across organizations from NIST to Trust Engine, he explains why technology alone can’t safeguard an enterprise. Instead, effective defense comes from a culture where security is personal—linked to daily habits and values employees carry beyond the workplace. With threats evolving faster than traditional training can adapt, Scarpino shares how bite-sized, relevant, and personalized awareness programs not only reduce risk but transform how teams think, act, and protect.

14 Aug 16min

How do you protect an organization when every link in the chain can—and will—fail? Ira Winkler, NSA veteran and author of You Can Stop Stupid, unpacks why human error isn’t the root of security breaches—it’s the visible tip of deeper systemic gaps. From smashing the myth of awareness-as-strategy to advocating for consequence-driven behavior change, Ira brings sharp wit and decades of hands-on insight. His stories span black-bag hacks, social engineering triumphs, and boardroom-level shifts needed to reimagine how we address human vulnerabilities in a world of zero days.

13 Aug 34min

What happens when your “meatspace” identity can no longer keep up with your digital life? Daniel Flowe, Head of Digital Identity at the London Stock Exchange Group, takes us inside the tectonic shift reshaping how we verify who we are online. From the flaws of content-based systems to the promise—and risks—of government-issued e-IDs, he unpacks what equitable, secure, and scalable identity should look like in an AI-infused world. With insights drawn from India, Africa, and beyond, Daniel reveals why the West is lagging—and what we must do to catch up.

9 Aug 18min

Beni Beeri Issembert’s journey from aspiring philosopher to Head of AI Research and Ethics at Metaphysic is anything but linear. With a deep reverence for Nietzsche and an early curiosity about ethics in technology—long before it became a buzzword—Beni brings a rare perspective to synthetic media and AI. In this thought-provoking conversation, he explores how deepfakes challenge our sense of truth, what it means to have an identity in a world of synthetic realities, and why human discernment remains our most powerful tool. As AI continues to blur the lines between real and fake, Beni offers a hopeful yet grounded view on how we might navigate the future—with integrity, curiosity, and resilience.

7 Aug 22min

Years before deepfakes hit the mainstream, Akis Papadopoulos was already sounding the alarm. From early GAN breakthroughs to today’s ultra-realistic, low-res media threats, he’s led research at the intersection of AI, media forensics, and public trust. In this episode, he explores why detection alone isn’t enough—and how explainability, user experience, and civic responsibility must shape our response to synthetic media.

5 Aug 22min

Ilke Demir’s journey from computational geometry to combating deepfakes began with a question: what makes something truly human? At Intel’s Trusted Media team, she developed FakeCatcher, a tool that detects deepfakes using biological signals like heart rate. In this episode, she unpacks the technical, ethical, and social layers of media trust, explaining why provenance and human perception matter as much as detection. Her insights reveal how defending truth in the AI age isn’t just about better algorithms—it’s about understanding people.

3 Aug 24min

John shares his journey into deepfake detection, exploring the challenge of making AI explainable and trustworthy for users like journalists and law enforcement. He dives into the complexities of interpreting AI results, the limits of current tools, and why human insight remains vital. His work bridges cutting-edge technology with real-world understanding to help navigate evolving digital threats thoughtfully and responsibly.

30 Juli 30min

Shuky Peleg reflects on decades in cybersecurity, from mainframes to AI-driven threats. He explains why employees shouldn’t be the last defense line and explores evolving social engineering tactics. Shuky highlights the growing role of automation, risk scoring, and the need for continuous vigilance in a rapidly changing threat landscape.

28 Juli 21min