The Evolving Landscape of Application Security | A Brand Story Conversation From Black Hat USA 2024 | An AppSOC Story with Willy Leichter | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

Black Hat Hacker Summer Camp: A Meeting Ground for Security Minds

As Sean Martin and Willy Leichter kick off the discussion, nostalgia sets in as they recount their years of attending the Black Hat Hacker Summer Camp. The perennial themes of security, new technology, and ever-evolving threats always seem to find their way back into the conversation, no matter how much the landscape changes.

Returning to Basics: The Unending Challenge of Security

Sean points to the recurring themes in security, to which Willy responds with a reflective acknowledgment of the cyclical nature of the industry. "It's back to figuring out how to manage all of this," he states, highlighting that while new technologies emerge, the essential task of managing them effectively remains unchanged.

Introducing AppSoc: The New Kid on the Block

Sean and Willy then dive into the heart of their discussion—AppSoc. Founded by serial entrepreneur Pravin Kothari, AppSoc is positioned in the Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) space. Willy elaborates on the company's mission: to consolidate, normalize, and prioritize security data from various point solutions to reduce noise and enhance actionable intelligence.

The Importance of Prioritization and Orchestrated Remediation

Willy explains how AppSoc’s "secret sauce" lies in prioritizing critical alerts among the plethora of security vulnerabilities. The goal is to transform a seemingly unmanageable thousand alerts into twenty high-priority ones that demand immediate attention. He emphasizes that detection without action is futile; hence, AppSoc also focuses on orchestrated remediation to bring the right information to the right teams seamlessly.

Leveraging AI for Better Prioritization and Security Posture

The use of AI in AppSoc is multifaceted. The company employs AI not only to streamline security processes but also to protect AI systems—a burgeoning field. Willy suggests that the explosion of AI applications and large language models (LLMs) has opened new attack surfaces. Thus, the role of AppSoc is to safeguard these tools while enabling their efficient use in security practices.

Real-world Applications: A Day in the Life with AppSoc

Willy shares a compelling success story about a CISO from an insurance company who managed risk across different departments using AppSoc's platform. This real-time, continuous monitoring solution replaced the less efficient, bi-annual consultant reports, demonstrating AppSoc’s efficacy in providing actionable insights promptly.

The Shift-Left Strategy and DevSecOps Collaboration

The conversation shifts to the importance of integrating DevOps and DevSecOps teams. Willy points out that while specializations are valuable, it's crucial to have "connective tissue" to get the bigger picture. This holistic view is essential for understanding how threats impact various departments and teams.

Conclusion

Sean Martin wraps up the enriching conversation with Willy Leichter, expressing his excitement for the future of AppSoc. The episode underscores the critical importance of effective application security and how innovations like AppSoc are paving the way for a more secure digital landscape.

Learn more about AppSOC: https://itspm.ag/appsoc-z45x

Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.

Guest: Willy Leichter, Chief Marketing Officer, AppSOC [@appsoc_inc]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/willyleichter/

Resources

Learn more and catch more stories from AppSOC: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/appsoc

View all of our Black Hat USA  2024 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/black-hat-usa-2024-hacker-summer-camp-2024-event-coverage-in-las-vegas

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