A Journey Through Cybersecurity and Beyond: Insights from Industry Veterans By Chris Ray and Bikash Barai

Embarking on a journey through the multifaceted world of cybersecurity, we are privileged to hear from two industry veterans who have left an indelible mark on the landscape. Nazia, with her decades of experience and entrepreneurial spirit, brings a wealth of knowledge from founding companies in application security and automated red teaming. Chris, equally seasoned in the cybersecurity realm, shares his passion for magic, philosophy, physics, and cooking, adding a unique perspective to the conversation. Together, they offer insights into their diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences, providing a glimpse into the dynamic intersection of cybersecurity and personal passions.

Here is the verbatim discussion:

Thank you nazia so let me start with a very quick short introduction so I had been in the field of cyber security for last couple of decades um founded a company in the space of application security which got Acquired and and now it is the product is now part of synopsis um then um founded a another Product Company in the space of automated red timming where at a surface management is also part of it um that's a little bit of my background outside of um security I love um magic which I don't do much these days but there was a time when I used to do some of these um semi-professional shows more more like The Mentalist kind of magic shows David blae and not like David Copperfield um then um philosophy physics cooking quite a few of U like outside interests outside of cyber security so over to you Chris Chris it'll be great to know a little bit about you please share a little bit to this destination this was a big deal to them they had spent a lot of money they'd invested a lot of time they brought their products with them and here they are now finally at their destination checking in getting their badges so they can get into the hall and uh the one who's doing the majority of the work is in front filling out the paperwork and then he has has a buddy behind him who uh is fiddling with a sharpie a black Sharpie marker and I can't figure out what's going on but it's boring so I'm just watching this guy fiddle with this marker well then he he uncaps it and he slowly holds it up.

Highlights:

A Legacy of Innovation: Nazia's journey in cybersecurity is marked by a legacy of innovation, from founding a successful company in application security to venturing into automated red teaming. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to advancing cybersecurity solutions have made a lasting impact on the industry, with her products now integrated into leading platforms like Synopsis.

Beyond the Binary: Exploring Diverse Interests: While deeply entrenched in the world of cybersecurity, both Nazia and Chris exhibit a passion for pursuits beyond the binary. From Nazia's love for magic, reminiscent of the mentalist shows of David Blaine, to Chris's interests in philosophy, physics, and culinary arts, their diverse passions enrich their perspectives and contribute to a holistic understanding of the world.

A Moment of Intrigue: As Nazia and Chris share anecdotes from their respective journeys, a moment of intrigue unfolds in the narrative. Set against the backdrop of a mundane task – filling out paperwork at a conference – a simple act with a black Sharpie marker takes on unexpected significance. This moment encapsulates the essence of their storytelling, where seemingly ordinary events reveal layers of meaning and insight.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the stories of Nazia and Chris serve as testaments to the boundless possibilities and intersections within the field. From entrepreneurial ventures to diverse interests and moments of intrigue, their journeys offer glimpses into the rich tapestry of experiences that shape the cybersecurity community. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the digital age, may we draw inspiration from their narratives and embrace the diverse passions and perspectives that enrich our collective journey.

Speakers:

Chris Ray, a seasoned professional in the cybersecurity field, brings a wealth of experience from small teams to large financial institutions, as well as industries such as healthcare, financials, and tech. He has acquired an extensive amount of experience advising and consulting with security vendors, helping them find product-market fit as well as deliver cyber security services.

Bikash Barai is credited for several innovations in the domain of Network Security and Anti-Spam Technologies and has multiple patents in USPTO. Fortune recognized Bikash among India’s Top 40 Business Leaders under the age of 40 (Fortune 40-under-40).Bikash is also an active speaker and has spoken at various forums like TiE, RSA Conference USA, TEDx etc.

Earlier he founded iViZ an IDG Ventures-backed company that was later acquired by Cigital and now Synopsys. iViZ was the first company in the world to take Ethical Hacking (or Penetration Testing) to
the cloud.

https://twitter.com/bikashbarai1

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bikashbarai/

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A Journey Through Cybersecurity and Beyond: Insights from Industry Veterans By Chris Ray and Bikash Barai

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