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Reflections and Highlights from RSAC 2024

With over 40,000 attendees, the RSA Conference 2024 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco showcased a diverse array of pre-events, breakout sessions, and discussions on topics such as data security, confidential computing, and cloud security.

The Energy of RSA Conference 2024

Amidst the buzz surrounding topics such as zero-trust and network security, it was clear that AI dominated RSAC 2024.

Pictured (left to right): Enrique Salem, Sarah Guo, Marina S, Idan Perez, Gadi Evron, Barmak Meftah, Sounil Yu, Diane (Dianhuan) Lin, Marina S, Hugh Thompson, Ph.D

Pictured (left to right): Enrique Salem, Sarah Guo, Marina S, Idan Perez, Gadi Evron, Barmak Meftah, Sounil Yu, Diane (Dianhuan) Lin, Marina S, Hugh Thompson, Ph.D

While AI is the clear buzzword of the moment, the security community is eager to explore and push research beyond the superficial, seeking impactful, real-world solutions that mitigate risks. The energy and excitement of the attendees were palpable, creating a collective sense of purpose and a shared belief that we’re on the cusp of significant advancements in cybersecurity.

Pitching Knostic at RSAC Launch Pad

A highlight of RSAC 2024 was our CEO Gadi Evron's pitch at the RSAC Launch Pad, where Knostic was recognized as one of three finalists alongside Diane (Dianhuan) Lin and Marina S from Culminate and Tamnoon. Gadi discussed the growing need for innovation in access control systems to meet the security demands of the GenAI era.

Pictured (left to right): Enrique Salem, Sarah Guo, Gadi Evron, Barmak Meftah, Hugh Thompson, Ph.D, Gadi Evron

Pictured (left to right): Enrique Salem, Sarah Guo, Gadi Evron, Barmak Meftah, Hugh Thompson, Ph.D, Gadi Evron

Introduction to Knostic: IAM for the GenAI Era

Organizations are increasingly adopting Microsoft Copilot and other enterprise search tools, which offer capabilities similar to ChatGPT for their organizational data. These tools unlock institutional knowledge already within an organization's reach. However, during roll-out, companies face challenges in managing access to sensitive information, slowing down adoption and causing organizations to hit a roadblock in their AI transformation initiatives. 

While many companies address this challenge by blocking access to GenAI or limiting the data used to train organizational models, Knostic implements need-to-know controls to ensure sensitive data is secure and only accessible to authorized personnel, which provides curated responses to ensure that company employees receive meaningful responses. By combining advanced access control mechanisms with personalized responses, Knostic maximizes the utility of LLMs while reducing potential harm.

To hear more about Knostic’s vision and plan, check out Gadi’s five-minute pitch on stage at Launch Pad at this link.

Highlights: CISO Liability Panel

Another significant highlight was the panel discussion on the modern perils of the CISO position, featuring Joe Sullivan, David B. Cross, Charles Blauner, and our CEO, Gadi Evron. The panel discussed the importance of understanding the current environment for security professionals managing both personal risk and professional liability. They agreed on the necessity of clear documentation practices and professional communication to manage liability and mitigate personal risks within an organization effectively.

Pictured (left to right): Gadi Evron, Charles Blauner, David Cross, Joe Sullivan

Pictured (left to right): Gadi Evron, Charles Blauner, David Cross, Joe Sullivan

 

The AI Buzz: Substance or Just Noise in the Face of Cyber Threats?

Walking around RSAC, it felt like practically every vendor booth, keynote, and panel discussion mentioned AI. However, for many, AI or AI Security seemed more like marketing badges than a genuine technological offering. The expo hall was filled with the term "AI" used in contexts that often lacked clear direction or substantial innovation. The future of AI technologies in cybersecurity will depend on bridging this gap between marketing and real-world applications to combat new attack techniques. Despite this, it was exciting to see that the era of GenAI is approaching, and people are finally waking up to address emerging risks and cyber-attacks. 

RSAC Tip: The Importance of Not Over-scheduling the Day 

Another key takeaway from RSAC was the importance of carving out free time. While many people line up meetings weeks before the conference begins, some of the most valuable interactions happen during unscheduled moments. Impromptu meetings talking over coffee or chance encounters in the hallway often led to the most meaningful connections and insights. 

Final Thoughts on RSAC 2024

(Sounil Yu - Left, Gadi Evron - Right)

Pictured (left to right): Sounil Yu, Gadi Evron 

In conclusion, RSAC 2024 was a fantastic experience. While there was a lot of AI noise, genuine innovations and passionate people were driving the industry forward beneath the surface. Thank you again to the Launch Pad VC panel for the opportunity to present as Launch Pad finalists. Until next year RSAC! 

To learn more about how we’re building secure access control for the GenAI era, visit knostic.ai.