Reuven Aronashvili: Changing the Cyber Security Market for Better

After completing his tenure in the army, Reuven Aronashvili realized that his passion lies in creating an innovative solution that would change the cybersecurity market forever. Sensing a need for a solution encompassing several different protective and defensive methods, Reuven established CYE with a vision to revolutionize the cybersecurity decision-making process and bridge the gap between businesses and their cybersecurity requirements.

Reuven’s path toward entrepreneurship was not a decision taken lightly. Driven by an unwavering belief in the power of pursuing his passion and creating something truly meaningful, Reuven embarked on a transformative journey of his own. Armed with his visionary ideas, Reuven fearlessly transformed his concepts into a thriving enterprise, giving rise to both CYE and its flagship product, Hyver.

About CYE and its Products

The primary objective of CYE is to help businesses shift their approach to cybersecurity from a security-based approach to a business-based one. By correlating the security risks a company faces with their effects on the business and quantifying the cost of potential breaches relative to the cost of risk reduction, organizations can make educated decisions about security budgets and plans. As a cyber security company, CYE focuses on putting its customers in a position to make educated and informed decisions that value efficiency above all else.

Reuven and his team at CYE have developed the groundbreaking Hyver platform to aid businesses in achieving the aforementioned objectives through a three-pronged approach. Firstly, identifying an organization’s risk profile, then quantifying the risk from the business perspective, and finally, taking that information and doing what CYE calls “mitigation optimization,” which is essentially finding the optimal way to invest the cybersecurity budget of the organization.

Hyver provides continuous value in a way that addresses the hardest problems we see in the industry today. Taking those specific issues I’ve just mentioned and putting them into one cohesive and coherent system that provides a single pane of glass view of a company’s security posture was my vision, and that’s exactly what this product does,“- explains Reuven.

Navigating Challenges

Reuven believes that the cybersecurity industry is confronted with an increasingly complex landscape marked by formidable challenges due to the economic downturn. Criminal syndicates actively exploit vulnerabilities within organizations, driven by the pursuit of financial gains or the desire to inflict significant harm. These vulnerabilities can be classified into two distinct categories: pressure points and weak points.

Pressure points encompass areas within an organization where unauthorized access or control can be leveraged to extort ransom payments. Examples of pressure points include ransomware attacks, which encrypt critical data until a ransom is paid, or the theft of sensitive information subject to regulatory frameworks like GDPR.

On the other hand, weak points represent more traditional attack vectors that exploit vulnerabilities in systems and networks. These may include denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that disrupt business operations by overwhelming networks with excessive traffic, or exploiting vulnerabilities in online banking or eCommerce platforms, leading to financial losses, damage to reputation, intellectual property theft, and breaches of privacy involving sensitive data.

Disrupting the Industry for Better

With ever-growing demand in the cybersecurity industry, many companies have burst into the cybersecurity scene with partial solutions. However, unlike any other partial solutions on the market, CYE’s solution is based on a comprehensive and integrated approach, which is hard to come by.

While CYE has many competitors in each aspect of its offering, finding another solution that matches the breadth and depth of services that CYE provides is hard. Consulting firms may come close to focusing on providing strategic solutions based on financial analysis. However, their services end there, while CYE’s platform goes further to execute the complete solution based on mathematical calculations that translate technical risks into business risks. This enables CYE to deliver an immediate, ongoing, visually appealing, interactive solution.

When the Pandemic Changed the Industry

Undeniably, the pandemic has ushered in a lasting change in the hybrid work model, where remote and on-site work has become the norm. While remote work offers numerous benefits, it has also introduced significant cybersecurity challenges, particularly in industries that previously did not extensively rely on remote operations, such as the military.

When considering the nature of military operations and their inherent daily vulnerabilities, introducing a hybrid work model amplifies the severity of potential attack vectors. Military organizations are entrusted with safeguarding sensitive information, critical infrastructure, and national security interests. The shift to remote or hybrid work necessitates implementing robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the heightened risks associated with distributed operations.

Similarly, government agencies, organizations, and banks encounter comparable challenges. These sectors handle sensitive data, financial transactions, and critical systems that demand the utmost protection. The hybrid work model introduces additional complexities, such as securing remote access to sensitive systems, ensuring data privacy, and safeguarding against sophisticated cyber threats that exploit the expanded attack surface.

Today, despite the pandemic being mostly over, organizations still need to support remote access. When an organization doesn’t have a perimeter, every device can be part of the network at some point. That’s something that changes the basic understanding of perimeter protection for the organization. It is why everything perimeter-oriented should be reevaluated and ultimately changed to provide more asset-driven protection rather than perimeter-driven protection. The idea is that you aim your protective measures at the final targets or objectives and not the paths to these objectives,“- explains Reuven.

Future Roadmap

Some of CYE’s key plans for 2023 include helping organizations focus on risk quantification strategies and policies and procedures to protect themselves. CYE also aspires to assist the security market in moving away from a maturity program-based approach and towards a business impact-driven strategy that emphasizes risk reduction and efficiency. Above all else, driving informed decision-making processes by measuring the effectiveness of security solutions and their overall contribution to organizational risk and focusing on capabilities and not only tools. Some organizations overburden organizations with more cybersecurity protection tools, that increase their attack surface, leading to low efficiency and increased risk.

Additionally, CYE has plans to continue its global growth and the development of new solutions for clients’ changing needs. The organization will also expand its investment in its employees’ professional advancement and personal development.

RiskXchange: Changing the World of Cyber Security for Better

Founded by Darren Craig, RiskXchange is a leading information security technology company, which helps companies of all sizes fight cyber threats by providing instant risk ratings. RiskXchange provides a powerful AI-assisted, yet simple automated, and centralized unique 360-degree security risk rating management approach. It generates objective, quantitative reporting on a company’s security risk and performance, enabling organizations with evolving requirements to conduct business securely in today’s open, collaborative, digital world.

Establishing RiskXchange

Darren has amassed over 27 years of experience in Cyber Security, tracing back to his early days as an apprentice in electronics. Following the completion of his training, Darren had the privilege of honing his skills with renowned organizations like Philips, Motorola and Natwest Banking Group.  It was during his tenure as a network security engineer in Natwest Banking Group that he began delving deeper into the intricate realm of security.

As his knowledge expanded and confidence soared, Darren embraced a bold opportunity to embark on an entrepreneurial path. Joined by a group of trusted colleagues, he ventured into the world of entrepreneurship and established a security-focused startup. The venture surpassed all expectations, culminating in a remarkably profitable exit a mere five years later.

Following his successful stint at the security start-up, Darren’s desire to broaden his business acumen and collaborate with major banking corporations motivated him to join IBM. Within IBM, he held various influential roles in global business and sales. However, he soon recognized a pressing need for a groundbreaking solution within the cybersecurity industry. This realization ultimately led him to make the pivotal decision to leave IBM behind and establish RiskXchange in 2017.

My journey has been long and arduous, but it has been worth it. It has equipped me with a unique perspective on the industry and allowed me to bring innovative solutions to the market. I am proud of my journey and its impact on the cybersecurity industry,”- remembers Darren.

About RiskXchange

RiskXchange understands the overwhelming nature of cybersecurity threats and compliance issues that businesses face, regardless of their size. In response, this cyber security firm has meticulously crafted its service to be refreshingly straightforward. With RiskXchange, clients do not need to possess specialized cybersecurity expertise to navigate the complexities of protecting their businesses. The company’s comprehensive range of user-friendly and simple services empowers clients to confidently utilize their solutions without unnecessary complications.

RiskXchange’s commitment extends beyond monitoring clients’ cybersecurity posture and compliance. The firm also diligently monitors their supply chain, ensuring that all vendors and partners adhere to best practices. This capability provides significant relief for companies relying on extensive networks of suppliers and partners, as it can be challenging to keep track of everyone’s compliance status.

In the event of any issues, RiskXchange offers expert guidance on resolving them, eliminating the need to hire expensive cybersecurity professionals. Moreover, with their 24/7 monitoring, RiskXchange maintains constant vigilance for potential threats or compliance issues. This proactive approach enables the prevention of problems before they even arise, granting clients peace of mind and enabling them to focus on the smooth operation of their businesses.

Solving Primary Challenges of the Industry

As an Information Security technology Company, RiskXchange can help solve several challenges facing the cyber security industry, such as:

  • Evolving Threat Landscape: RiskXchange offers 24/7 monitoring and threat detection services that can help organizations stay on top of the latest threats. Our service is designed to be adaptable and can keep up with the changing threat landscape, so you don’t have to.
  • Shortage of Skilled Professionals: With RiskXchange, organizations don’t need to hire teams of expensive cybersecurity professionals. Our service provides expert advice and monitoring, which can help fill the skills gap and give organizations the support they need to protect their networks and systems.
  • The Complexity of Networks and Systems: RiskXchange offers a comprehensive service that can monitor networks and systems and applications across both cloud-based and on-premises internet-facing environments. Our service is designed to be scalable and adaptable, so it can handle even the most complex systems.
  • Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness: RiskXchange can help raise cybersecurity awareness by providing easy-to-use services that don’t require deep technical knowledge. Our service can help organizations understand their security posture and identify areas for improvement.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Issues: RiskXchange offers compliance monitoring services that can help organizations stay on top of regulatory requirements. Our service is designed to be flexible and can be customized to meet the specific compliance needs of each organization.

In a nutshell, RiskXchange offers organizations a comprehensive solution to overcome the challenges prevalent in the cybersecurity industry. With its range of services, RiskXchange provides comprehensive, scalable, and adaptable solutions that enable organizations to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape. It also assists in bridging the skills gap by offering expertise and support, helping organizations navigate complex networks and systems. Additionally, RiskXchange contributes to raising cybersecurity awareness within organizations and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Overall, RiskXchange equips organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively address the multifaceted challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.

Disrupting the Industry

Under Darren’s leadership, RiskXchange is disrupting the cybersecurity industry by providing innovative, more effective, and efficient solutions than traditional approaches. The company’s technological prowess is built upon a distinctive platform that harnesses the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence. This cutting-edge technology enables RiskXchange to analyze massive volumes of data and swiftly identify potential threats in real-time. By leveraging these advanced capabilities, RiskXchange sets itself apart as a trailblazer in the cybersecurity domain, providing organizations with unparalleled protection and peace of mind.

One of the main key ways that RiskXchange is disrupting the industry is by providing a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity and associated compliance requirements, which cover the new evolving Digital Operational Resilience Act as well as existing security frameworks including IOS 27001, NIST 800-53, and many others. Rather than focusing solely on network security or application security, RiskXchange provides a holistic view of an organization’s entire cybersecurity posture including compliance. This includes assessing vulnerabilities and compliance in third-party and fourth-party vendors, evaluating the risks associated with cloud-based services, and monitoring social media, the Dark web, and other online hacker forms for potential threats.

The organization is also disrupting the cybersecurity industry by making cybersecurity more accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. By leveraging cloud-based technology, RiskXchange provides its services at a fraction of the cost of traditional security solutions. This makes it easier for small and mid-sized businesses to implement effective cybersecurity measures and protect themselves against potential threats.

Another area where RiskXchange disrupts the cybersecurity industry is through its commitment to providing a user-friendly interface and experience. Recognizing the importance of accessibility and ease of use, RiskXchange has developed an intuitive platform that simplifies the management of cybersecurity risks for businesses. By offering a user-friendly interface, the company enables organizations to navigate and utilize their services with ease, even for users without extensive technical expertise.

Lastly, RiskXchange is disrupting the industry by taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Instead of adopting a reactive stance where incidents are addressed after they occur, RiskXchange’s technology is specifically designed to proactively identify and mitigate potential threats before they have a chance to cause harm. This helps businesses stay ahead of the curve and prevent cybersecurity incidents from occurring in the first place.

Looking at the Future

As a leading provider of innovative cybersecurity solutions, RiskXchange has set its priorities for 2023. With a focus on growth, the cybersecurity company now plans to expand its reach and increase its customer base through targeted marketing efforts and strategic partnerships. This includes investing in new technologies and hiring additional sales and marketing staff to increase visibility and drive revenue growth.

In order to achieve these goals, RiskXchange will heavily invest in its workforce by prioritizing employee training and development to enhance their skills and enable them to deliver the best possible service to customers. In addition, the company is committed to fostering a positive workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

On the other hand, RiskXchange is continuously developing new products and services that meet the evolving needs of its customers. This includes investing in research and development to create cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that provide greater protection against emerging threats.

Customer satisfaction remains a top priority for RiskXchange. The company understands that every organization has unique requirements, and it is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service and support. RiskXchange actively engages with its customers, seeking to understand their specific needs and challenges. This customer-centric approach enables the company to tailor its solutions and provide personalized cybersecurity strategies that align with the unique requirements of each customer.

Overall, RiskXchange’s priorities for 2023 demonstrate its commitment to growth and customer satisfaction while investing in its workforce and developing cutting-edge products and services to meet its customers’ evolving cybersecurity and compliance needs.

Towerwall: Pioneering Cyber Security Consulting

Established by Michelle Drolet, Towerwall helps its clients by providing them with continuous monitoring and protection against current and evolving cyber threats. As the industry’s leading data security preparedness partner, Towerwall’s end-to-end solutions help to bridge the gap between plan and action to ensure its clients’ security.

Michelle also co-founded the annual Information Security Summit in partnership with Mass Bay Community College, with the purpose of creating an open forum for knowledge sharing between cyber professionals, vendors, and students. Additionally, the summit also serves as a vehicle to raise funds to provide academic scholarships in the field of cybersecurity for MassBay students in their Cyber Program. Till date, more than $55,000 has been raised for scholarships. Michelle also serves on the college’s advisory board to help shape its cybersecurity curriculums.

Recently we got a chance to sit down with Michelle to learn more about Towerwall and how the cyber security company is safeguarding its clients from modern-day cyber threats.

Below are the highlights of the interview.

Please tell us about your professional journey.

Michelle: In college, I studied criminal justice, so from an early age, I’ve been interested in stopping the bad guys. In 1993 I was hired to run the US operations for an IT consulting business that was making inroads into cybersecurity. The company was acquired by a public entity, but I grew disenchanted with its direction and found a way to buy the company back. Since 1999 we’ve been offering customized cybersecurity preparedness and end-to-end solutions that bridge the gap between plan and action to ensure resiliency for organizations of all sizes.

Please throw some light on Towerwall and its services.

Michelle: Regardless of company size, almost every modern organization struggles with cybersecurity. Our clients trust Towerwall to provide them with continuous monitoring and protection against current and evolving threats. We learned early on that there is no single piece of technology or system that will keep any organization completely secure. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. That’s why Towerwall developed an operational security approach that distinguishes our services in the market. A methodology that is not only consistent, repeatable, and measurable but also flexible enough to adapt to the changing threat landscape. We call this customizable approach the “7 Dimensions of Cybersecurity,” which all organizations, regardless of industry or security maturity, should adopt to establish a multi-dimensional, multi-layered, proactive security defense.

Services include establishing a program and developing policies, conducting security audits and risk assessments, threat detection and response, guidance on abiding by compliance and regulations, penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, vendor questionnaires, employee awareness training, and many other security services. Our customer engagements last for several years, and these include Foundation Medicine, Middlesex Savings Bank, Dean College, Milford Regional Medical Center, Perkin Elmer, and local SMBs.

What are the primary challenges of the industry?

Michelle: The primary challenge facing our cybersecurity industry has really been about the glaring shortage of professionals who are well-versed in security, risk management, and compliance. To meet this high demand for skilled talent, Towerwall launched an innovative service called virtual CISO — a personal service to take on the responsibilities and duties associated with the Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), the virtual Data Protection Officer (vDPO), and the virtual Chief Privacy Officer (vCPO). These roles are brought in-house for client engagements on a fractional or interim basis. These fractional services roles also act as a huge competitive differentiator and advantage.

How is Towerwall disrupting the entire industry for the better?

Michelle: Cybersecurity is multi-dimensional. Organizations need a partner who can deliver a coordinated end-to-end solution response. We like to guide our clients through all the phases of cybersecurity. That’s why we developed a unique security approach (the “7 Dimensions of Cybersecurity”) that is not only consistent, repeatable, and measurable but flexible enough to adapt to the changing threat landscape. As a market leader, our content marketing focuses on sharing the latest in active threats, vulnerabilities, and tactical steps our clients can take. Each month we hold webinars and in-person events to keep our clients and prospects informed and engaged.

Please explain the effect of the pandemic on Towerwall. How did you overcome it?

Michelle: Because we are a security tech company, most of our staff were already working remotely, having been set up with secure VPN connections long ago, ensuring business continuity in the face of the pandemic. We were fortunate to have hired people who are truly self-motivated. Also fortunate to have had 70% of our staff working remotely before Covid hit. We didn’t miss a beat. Today we support a hybrid work week with limited staff who do come into the office. This is what we believe creates a proactive, positive corporate culture that make our team deliver to the fullest.

What are your priorities for 2023?

Michelle: Towerwall plans to continue to grow and expand both our customer base and consultants globally. Our business model is all about partnerships. Recently we forged new vendor partnerships with Pentera and CyberSaint (adding them to our stable of 50-plus cyber-tech partners) to help our customers manage their cybersecurity programs as well as assist our consultants when conducting risk assessments. Other partners include Alert Logic, Varonis, LogRhythm, KnowBe4, Tenable, Sophos, and many other recognized brands.

Give us a piece of advice that you would share with entrepreneurs just starting out.

Michelle: For young entrepreneurs just starting out, it’s important to state your values clearly and upfront.  We believe in finding the right balance between work and family. Our values are about having focus, determination, and compassion. We all face challenges in our personal and business life, but the ability to persevere is the difference between success and failure. Particularly in business, nothing is more important than solving your customer’s needs. We often compete and win against larger players because our team has a ‘run through the wall’ attitude. Make teamwork a priority.

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