Scaling Cybersecurity with AI

Interview with David Primor

As part of this week’s “Israel”, I spoke with David Primor, Co-Founder and CEO of Cynomi. Cynomi is revolutionizing how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) approach cybersecurity.

The company recently raised $20 million in Series A funding to advance its AI-powered vCISO platform, which enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to offer scalable cybersecurity services without the need for an in-house Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Their platform leverages AI to automate many tasks typically handled by a virtual CISO, such as risk assessments, compliance management, and the creation of security policies. This innovation makes enterprise-grade cybersecurity both accessible and affordable for smaller businesses - organizations that are often the most vulnerable to cyber threats.

I spoke with David about the challenges small and medium businesses face in cybersecurity, the technology behind their platform, and what the future holds for this rapidly growing company.

Let’s get started!

Aron:Congrats on your Series A funding! What was that “aha moment” that inspired you to start Cynomi?

David: The inspiration for starting Cynomi came during my time with the Cyber Security Authority. I witnessed firsthand the gap in cybersecurity readiness among SMBs and mid-market companies. The Wannacry attack was a pivotal moment: it exposed how vulnerable these businesses were due to their lack of dedicated cybersecurity leadership, like CISOs, and their limited knowledge of how to defend against evolving threats.

It became clear to me that this was a systemic issue impacting businesses worldwide, leaving them unprepared to face cyberattacks and comply with growing regulatory demands.

At the same time, I was frequently approached by CEOs, friends and colleagues - seeking advice on how to navigate these challenges. They were overwhelmed by cyber threats and regulations and lacked the expertise to address them effectively. These experiences made me realize there was a pressing need for a solution that will close this skill gap and help organizations of all sizes get CISO-level security.

That’s what inspired Cynomi: a platform designed to fill the CISO gap and empower businesses with the guidance and tools they need to secure their operations and meet regulatory requirements. Later on, I realized that the path to SMBs is through MSPs and MSSPs which are their trusted partners for IT and security management.

Aron:Cynomi’s platform uses AI to automate CISO-level tasks. How do you use AI?

David: Cynomi leverages AI to bridge the cybersecurity gap for small and medium-sized businesses by automating CISO-level tasks that were traditionally manual and resource-intensive.

Our platform incorporates CISO knowledge, and collects and analyzes data from thousands of end customers and service providers to deliver actionable recommendations that are tailored for each client based on their unique security profile. The platform generates tailored security strategies and policies that address the unique needs and risk profiles of each company.

What makes this a game-changer is the accessibility it provides to SMBs that often lack the resources to hire a full-time CISO. With AI, we create deep insights and provide guidance that’s comparable to having an expert on staff, but at a fraction of the cost. This allows smaller businesses to confidently navigate cybersecurity challenges and compliance requirements.

Aron:We’re both Unit 8200 veterans, and for me, the experience had a profound impact on shaping my career. How did your time in 8200 influence your path?

David: Serving in Unit 8200 instilled a mindset that anything is possible and every challenge can be solved with the right approach. Creativity was central to our work, as we had to constantly innovate to stay ahead in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity operations.

This deep understanding of cybersecurity from both perspectives gave me a unique lens to identify gaps and craft solutions, which became invaluable when building Cynomi.

The culture of problem-solving, innovation, and resilience in Unit 8200 continues to shape my approach to tackling the cybersecurity challenges faced by businesses today.

Aron:Looking to the future, where do you see Cynomi’s platform going?

David: In five years, I see Cynomi as the leading platform for service providers to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity services to businesses of all sizes.

Our vision is to become the go-to solution for service providers managing the full lifecycle of cybersecurity, from risk assessment and strategy creation to ongoing monitoring and maintaining compliance. By continuing to refine our AI-driven capabilities, we’ll empower service providers of all types to deliver CISO-level expertise at scale, making strategic cybersecurity accessible to businesses that need it most.

We aim to support tens of thousands of service providers across the globe, enabling them to enhance their offerings and grow their businesses while improving their clients’ cyber resilience. Cynomi will evolve into a truly end-to-end platform, seamlessly integrating with the broader cybersecurity and service provider ecosystems. Our mission is to allow every business, regardless of size or industry, to get CISO-level security.

Aron:The rise of AI-based threats is a growing concern. How do you see this impacting the future of cybersecurity?

David: This is undoubtedly reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Attackers are leveraging AI to identify vulnerabilities, launch sophisticated attacks, and even impersonate humans at scales never seen before.

Unfortunately, attackers often lead in the race, as they are not bound by the same ethical or legal constraints as protectors. This creates a constant competition between those seeking to exploit systems and those defending them. However, cybersecurity is also evolving rapidly, with AI playing a critical role in developing more advanced tools to detect, mitigate, and respond to these new attack vectors.

At Cynomi, we’re an example of how AI can be used to empower defenders, especially for businesses that traditionally lack the resources to combat sophisticated threats. AI gives protectors the potential to gain an edge by automating complex tasks, analyzing vast amounts of data in real-time and doing more with their human capital.

While the challenge is significant, the same AI advancements fueling attacks also offer the opportunity to build more resilient and adaptive defenses for the future.