Cris Neckar on the early days of securing Chrome, chasing browser exploits
Apr 11, 2024
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Cris Neckar, a veteran security researcher and partner at Two Bear Capital, shares his insights from the cutting edge of cybersecurity. He reflects on his time with Google Chrome's security team, highlighting the birth of vulnerability reward programs and the Pwn2Own contest. The discussion shifts to the cat-and-mouse dynamic in browser security, zero-day exploits, and the role of AI in enhancing threat detection. Cris also emphasizes the need for mentoring young founders while navigating the complexities of tech investment and innovations in automated security.
Cris Neckar emphasizes the importance of supporting technically skilled founders through Two Bear Capital to foster innovation without compromising research integrity.
Reflecting on his experience at NeoHapsis, Cris discusses the tension between technical research purity and the pressures of business profitability in the venture capital landscape.
Cris expresses skepticism towards superficial AI solutions, advocating for innovative advancements in machine-to-human interfaces and better governance to address security challenges.
Deep dives
Navigating the World of Venture Capital
Chris Necker discusses his role at Two Bear Capital, emphasizing a mission to support technically skilled founders who might not have access to traditional venture capital. Initially harboring a negative view of the venture capital industry due to past experiences, he aims to change this perspective by focusing on companies that prioritize technical innovation. Two Bear Capital seeks to bridge the gap between business needs and groundbreaking research, fostering an environment where startups can thrive without losing sight of their original technical focus. Chris reflects on past challenges, particularly the pressure to divert from technical research towards broader business demands in earlier ventures.
Lessons from Past Experiences
Chris shares insights from his earlier career at NeoHapsis, where he was part of a vibrant security research team. The team's initial innovative culture suffered after accepting venture backing, leading to decisions that compromised their technical focus. This experience shaped his future choices to bootstrap his startups, avoiding external funding that could jeopardize research integrity. He highlights the tension between maintaining the purity of technical research and the necessities of business profitability, asserting the importance of finding a balance.
Changing Dynamics in Venture Capital
The current venture capital landscape is rapidly evolving, with a surge in competition and an influx of capital making it a challenging environment. Chris notes that despite the prevailing 'copycat' trend where many startups chase popular trends and acronyms, there remains significant innovation within the industry. He recognizes that many successful investors now come from technical backgrounds, which enriches the investment approach and supports genuinely innovative companies. He expresses optimism about the potential of newer founders and the opportunities available for truly original ideas to flourish.
AI in the Landscape of Cybersecurity
Chris expresses skepticism about the current AI boom, emphasizing that while generative AI shows promise, it often leads to superficial solutions rather than substantial advancements. He argues that true innovation in AI should focus on enhancing machine-to-human interfaces and advancing data science tools rather than merely integrating AI functionalities into existing tools. Moreover, he discusses the need for stronger governance in AI deployments to address security concerns and operational challenges. Chris advocates for a deeper understanding of AI's role in technological advancement, pointing out that many current applications lack a solid foundation.
The Role of Innovation in Cybersecurity Solutions
Chris highlights the need for genuine and innovative approaches to pressing cybersecurity challenges, pointing towards the market for effective tools that can improve vulnerability management. He discusses the importance of having detailed visibility and traceability within software development, especially concerning security vulnerabilities. Looking toward the future, he envisions advancements in automated reverse engineering and supply chain management as essential components for addressing security risks. He believes that a disciplined, technically founded investment strategy can yield significant benefits for both startups and the broader cybersecurity industry.
Cris Neckar is a veteran security researcher now working as a partner at Two Bear Capital. In this episode, he reminisces on the early days of hacking at Neohapsis, his time on the Google Chrome security team, shenanigans at Pwn2Own/Pwnium, and the cat-and-mouse battle for browser exploit chains. We also discuss the zero-day exploit marketplace, the hype and promise of AI, and his mission to help highly technical founders bring products to market.