Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere: Offense Driven Defense

About the Guest:

Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere: Anthony is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Horizon3.ai, a company renowned for its innovative product, NodeZero, which focuses on autonomous security. With a remarkable career spanning 21 years in the military, much of which was spent in highly sensitive missions, TonyP brings a wealth of expertise in offensive and defensive cybersecurity. His experience includes serving as the deputy CTO for the Joint Special Operations Command, where he spearheaded various cybersecurity initiatives.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Phillip Wylie Show, host Phillip Wylie delves into an insightful discussion with Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere, the co-founder of Horizon 3 and the mastermind behind the cutting-edge product NodeZero. They explore the unique landscape of cybersecurity products stemming from the US special operations, contrasting with those from Israel's famous Unit 8200. Anthony shares riveting anecdotes from his military experience, emphasizing how the high-stakes environment shaped his approach to cybersecurity and led to the creation of NodeZero.

Drawing from over 80,000 automated pen tests executed using NodeZero, TonyP elucidates key lessons and recurring security challenges organizations face. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of autonomous pen testing on identifying vulnerabilities, enhancing risk assessments, and ultimately shaping the future of cybersecurity. Through engaging narratives and technical wisdom, this episode offers listeners a rare glimpse into the synergy between offensive and defensive security practices and the vital role of continuous automated assessment in safeguarding digital assets.

Key Takeaways:

• Offensive Security as the Future: TonyP stresses the importance of understanding offensive tactics to bolster defensive measures, shifting the mindset of cybersecurity from a cost center to a key mission component.
• Credentials and Vulnerabilities: Recurring issues such as credential reuse and inadequate vulnerability management remain significant challenges in securing organizational environments.
• Bridging the Gap: There's a critical need to close the knowledge gap between cybersecurity practitioners and business executives to better communicate and prioritize security risks.
• Continuous Assessment: Traditional annual pen testing is insufficient; continuous automated assessments via tools like NodeZero are essential for keeping up with evolving threats and internal changes.
• Improving Business Outcomes: Effective cybersecurity is not just about defense; it’s also vital for business continuity and preventing significant financial losses.

Notable Quotes:

• "We tend to call ourselves the quiet professionals. Marketing ourselves, we try not to do that, but it is compelling." - Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere
• "The fundamentals get missed a lot. And it's not because we don't know about the fundamentals. The sprawl of the organization is just too much." - Anthony "TonyP" Pillitier
• "It's not until you send an attacker at your defenses do you really know that your defenses can hold up to an attacker." - Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere
• "The amount of revenue that organizations have lost has just been significant. It's hard to convince the business that this capability having an offensive understanding really prioritizing cybersecurity." - Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere
• "This is the future of cybersecurity. Offensive understanding of an environment is the future of cybersecurity." - Anthony "TonyP" Pillitier

Resources:

Anthony "TonyP" Pillitiere's LinkedIn: Anthony Pillitiere

Horizon 3 Website: horizon3.ai

NodeZero Product Information: NodeZero