Episode 127: Chris Wysopal on Reducing Attack Surface in the Age of AI

In this OODAcast, Chris Wysopal shares his insights from decades in cybersecurity, detailing his journey from the early hacking collective "The L0pht" to co-founding Veracode. Wysopal reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, highlighting his early contributions to vulnerability research and advocating the importance of adversarial thinking in security practices. He emphasizes the transition from traditional vulnerability testing to comprehensive application risk management, recognizing the increased reliance on third-party software and the escalating complexity of securing modern applications.

Wysopal also discusses how generative AI technologies are significantly accelerating application development but simultaneously creating substantial security challenges. He stresses that while AI-generated applications multiply rapidly, their vulnerability density remains comparable to human-written code. To manage this growing risk, Wysopal underlines the necessity of integrating automated, AI-driven vulnerability remediation into the software development lifecycle.

Looking forward, Wysopal advocates for embedding security deeply within the application creation process, anticipating that AI will eventually assist in producing inherently secure software. However, he also underscores the enduring threat of social engineering attacks, urging enterprises to prioritize comprehensive security awareness programs to bolster their overall cybersecurity posture and resilience. The conversation examines some very interesting correlations between the mindset of the great hackers and the success of great entrepreneurs. Both take a good bit of grit, an ability to focus and be creative and perhaps most importantly: Persistence.

Learn more about Chris Wysopal's approaches and the company he founded at Veracode. For insights into reducing your organization's attack surface see: State of Software Security 2025