Cyber Threats and Cloud Security, Ami Luttwak, Co-Founder and CTO, Wiz

Apr 18, 2022

To really solve a new problem, it’s essential to look at the reality of the current issue itself. Though it can be helpful to use past context, sometimes that can be a trap because the “solutions” are old ones and don’t really apply to the current situation. With technology developing so quickly, there are entire foundational systems today that did not exist a decade ago. Ami Luttwak, the Co-Founder and CTO of Wiz, a company disrupting cloud security by providing a single platform that reveals all exposures, expresses how it’s important to look at the cloud as an entirely new technology with different security needs. According to him, on-prem security mentalities combined with fragmented scanning systems are not able to address the complexity of the cloud. On this episode of Future of Tech, Ami shares his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way that are now earning great results at Wiz. He reveals that he had an interest in computer science when he was growing up, but that it was his time in the army that sculpted him into becoming a technology leader, eager to create new solutions. Enjoy this episode!

 Main Takeaways:

• Looking at the Cloud With Fresh Eyes: The cloud is a different type of technology than what previously existed, and, therefore, the old methods of on-prem security do not necessarily apply. Ami makes the case that the cloud must be considered as an entirely new entity that security be developed around and applied to directly.
• Three Cloud Security Considerations: Since the cloud is unique, Ami contends that “people, process, and technology” are three areas that must adapt in order to promote security. According to him, those in security must learn new skills. In addition, he points out that the development process is now different because of the volume of developers. He also suggests that the technology must evolve to reveal all aspects of a complex cloud and potential vulnerabilities.
• FInding Exposures in Totality: One issue with cloud security is that typically it’s been a challenge to scan all databases for exposure. Ami suggests a single tool, without relying on agents, is essential to scan for all possible issues. Wiz’s platform, for instance, has the ability to scan VMs, containers, and servers.
• Creating With Scale and a Great Team: Ami explains that he and his fellow co-founders of Wiz learned two helpful lessons during their experience developing the company Adallom, and then working at Microsoft after Microsoft acquired it. The first was to build with scale in mind from the very beginning of the creative process. The second aspect was to build a product that can be used across multiple platforms. Ami expresses that these lessons were then applied to creating Wiz. Whether making a security platform, or any other sort of product, this mentality will serve developers well. Additionally, Ami offers that the foundational component in any startup is a great team.