This Week in Startups E1011: Check Point CEO & Co-founder Gil Shwed shares insights on being the “Godfather of Cybersecurity”, growing Check Point into Israel’s most impactful tech company, pricing & developing products for an emerging market, best practices on protecting data from hackers & the next generation of cybers
Dec 20, 2019
Gil Shwed, the CEO and co-founder of Check Point, delves into his journey as the 'Godfather of Cybersecurity.' He shares insights on how early experiences shaped the creation of Check Point and its groundbreaking firewall. The conversation covers the evolution of hacking from youthful curiosity to organized crime and highlights risks from emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and deepfakes. Shwed also discusses the effectiveness of two-factor authentication and compares the security strengths of Microsoft and Apple products, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
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Check Point's Origin
- Gil Shwed's idea for Check Point originated while serving in the Israeli army, tasked with connecting two classified networks.
- Years later, the internet's rise presented a similar security challenge, prompting him to develop his technology into a commercial product.
Early Funding
- Check Point initially raised $250,000 from a software company, not venture capitalists, in exchange for 50% equity.
- This allowed them to move quickly and leverage the investor's market contacts, proving crucial in their early stages.
First Customers
- Check Point's first product had beta sites, including Lotus, who initially rejected it due to internet security concerns.
- A year later, Lotus bought 20 copies, highlighting the growing need for internet security.