- CyberBytes: The Newsletter
- Posts
- CyberBytes: The Newsletter - BlackHat Edition
CyberBytes: The Newsletter - BlackHat Edition
Charlotte Harris
August 21, 2025
Sponsored by Marketbridge
BlackHat 2025 🎩
BlackHat 2025 has wrapped, but the conversations it sparked are only just beginning. After days of thought-provoking sessions, cutting-edge research, and invaluable connections, we’ve taken a moment to reflect before diving back into the grind. If you missed it, here’s the short version: this year’s BlackHat didn’t just set the bar… it was the bar.
Here’s what you can look forward to in this BlackHat-packed edition:
🌟 Startup Spotlight: Leaders Shaping the Future - Interviews with some of the hottest startups and BlackHat finalists making waves in cyber.
🎉 BlackHat Week Highlights - A roundup of the best events, parties, and moments you had to be there for.
🎩 CyberBytes: The Podcast | BlackHat Edition - A look at some of the upcoming podcast episodes as part of the BlackHat series.
💼 Hot Jobs Highlight - An exclusive look at the cybersecurity roles we’re hiring for right now.
…and plenty more to keep you in the loop.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
🔦 Top Startups in Cybersecurity: Leaders Shaping the Future 🔦
Cybersecurity is evolving at lightning speed, and a new wave of founders is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From protecting critical infrastructure to reinventing product security, these leaders are harnessing AI, deep industry expertise, and bold ideas to tackle the most urgent challenges in the digital world. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on six standout startups at BlackHat making their mark.
Spotlight: Andrew Hendela, Co-Founder
The SolarWinds attack exposed how trusted software can be weaponized. For Andrew Hendela, Co-founder of Karambit.AI, it was the spark to build technology that asks: why trust software at face value?
Karambit.AI analyzes software to reveal what it will actually do before it runs. Think of it as zero trust applied to software itself. In a noisy AI landscape, Karambit.AI stands out by proving results, from detecting backdoors to explaining risks in plain language. Looking ahead, they are expanding into broader software safety across industries.
Andrew’s advice for founders: avoid burnout. If you go down, so does your company.
📖 Read the full interview: Full Karambit.AI Interview
Spotlight: Mauricio Iglesias, CEO
Mauricio Iglesias blends operational technology expertise with AI innovation to protect the backbone of modern society, from utilities to transportation. His people-first leadership style fosters a culture where solving real-world OT security challenges comes first. Backed by a world-class team of AI researchers and cybersecurity professionals, Bastazo is on a mission to safeguard critical systems worldwide.
Mauricio’s advice: “Don’t limit yourself. Think beyond silos, connect the dots, and expand your perspective to make a meaningful impact.”
📖 Read the full interview: Full Bastazo Feature
Product Leadership Spotlight: Jesus Cuadrado, CPO
From breaking telecom conventions at Telefónica to building AI-driven products, Jesus Cuadrado’s career is defined by data-driven innovation. At Xygeni, his team constantly validates ideas with customers before heavy investment to ensure their product truly solves security pain points.
Looking ahead: AI will power faster, smarter product security, unlocking capabilities once thought impossible.
Jesus’s advice: Invest early in research and customer validation, then scale with agility.
📖 Read the full interview: Full Xygeni Feature
Meet John Viega, CEO & Co-Founder
Crash Override was born from more than 100 industry interviews, aiming not just to fix problems but to create scalable, high-impact solutions. Now, the company automates visibility across engineering teams, speeding up outage resolution and improving collaboration.
Future vision: AI-powered, organization-tailored incident response that is intuitive and collaborative.
John’s advice: Make it a labor of love, the impact is what truly matters.
📖 Read the full interview: Full Crash Override Feature
Spotlight: Michael Nov, CEO & Co Founder
Prime Security began with one insight: security design was still manual. Their AI tools are now solving long-standing developer pain points, earning them the BlackHat 2025 Spotlight Startup award. Michael sees product security as the future, uniting application, architecture, and infrastructure defences.
Michael’s advice: “Know the culture you want to build, and hire people who fit it.”
📖 Read the full interview: Full Prime Security Feature
Spotlight: Jason Kaplan, CEO
With trusted backers, breakthrough technology, and a mission to win what he calls an “undisputed cyber war,” Jason Kaplan is steering SixMap into a transformative year. His team is expanding risk coverage, enhancing cloud visibility, and accelerating threat response with AI as a key enabler.
Jason’s rallying cry: “This is our year. The market will know our name.”
📖 Read the full interview: Full SixMap Feature
These founders prove that innovation in cybersecurity is not just about tools and technology, it is about vision, culture, and an unrelenting focus on solving the problems that matter most. Whether it is safeguarding critical infrastructure, enhancing product security, or improving visibility, these leaders are setting new standards for the industry’s future.
🔥 Top 3 Unmissable Moments from BlackHat
1. Security Insider Hour 🍸
Black Hat week started at altitude, 62 floors up at Mandalay Bay, where we swapped the noise of the expo for something a little more refined.
In partnership with Marketbridge and Code Red Partners, we hosted an invite-only happy hour our suite that set the tone.
Here’s what went down:
💬 Conversations that actually mattered
👥 A curated mix of CISOs, founders, and security leaders
🥂 Drinks with a view that could make you forget about the strip below
It was networking at its smoothest. Zero chaos, no badge scanners, just a room full of the right people, the right energy, and the kind of exchanges you will still be thinking about long after Black Hat wrapped.
2. Cocktails and Vibes: The Founder Oasis at Black Hat
Decibel and Mike Privette turned Black Hat’s intensity down a notch with the ultimate mid-week recharge.
Founders, investors, and security pros gathered at Libertine Social for an evening of easy conversations, great drinks, and the kind of networking that feels effortless.
No noise, no rush. Just good people, good energy, and a reminder that the best connections often happen away from the conference floor.
3. Lockstep’s, Locked In Party
Lockstep made Black Hat unforgettable with an evening that felt like the heart of the conference without the chaos.
From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this was no ordinary gathering. The entire venue was reserved, with signature drinks and mouthwatering food served throughout the night. Every detail was intentional, from meaningful introductions to an atmosphere that balanced relaxation with high energy.
Professional photos captured the joy and connection in the room. Uber vouchers ensured practitioners could get home safely. In short, curated experiences, incredible vibes, and authentic conversations made this one of the standout nights of Black Hat.
Missed out on Security Insider Hour, or want to relive the energy of the evening? Check out the recap below!
🎙️ CyberBytes: The Podcast - BlackHat Edition 🎙️
We brought CyberBytes: The Podcast to Las Vegas, and it delivered in every way.
🎙️ 22 incredible guests
🔥 Conversations that went deep into the biggest challenges and opportunities in security today
🚀 Episodes packed with insights, ideas, and stories worth sharing
A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors at Marketbridge for powering our show and helping take the podcast to the next level!
The first few episodes are LIVE, so make sure to check them out below
Check out our podcast trailer below! 👇
🔥 Hot Job Highlights 🔥
Interested in advancing your career in cybersecurity? Look no further! We've curated a selection of top-tier positions currently available through exclusive searches. Explore our featured roles below and connect with us at [email protected] for further details!
🚀 Founding Sellers | Seed & Series A | All Geographies
🚀 VP Sales – Identity Security | Series B | USA
🚀 VP Marketing - GRC | Series A | Palo Alto
Interested? Get in touch at [email protected] to learn more!
Reach out to us at [email protected] to find out more!
🌐 Looking For Your Next Role in Cybersecurity? 🌐
Here at Aspiron Search, we’re committed to supporting you to find your next role in cybersecurity. By understanding your motivations and what makes you tick, we can provide the right opportunities and advice to get you hired!
Contact us at [email protected] to find out more!
Could YOU Be The Next Sponsor of CyberBytes: The Newsletter?
If you’re interested in sponsoring CyberBytes: The Newsletter and showcasing your brand, get in touch by at [email protected] today!