CrowdStrike’s former CTO on cyber rivalries and how automation can undermine security for early-stage startups

In a revealing discussion with TechCrunch, Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike, emphasized that human factors are among the most significant vulnerabilities facing businesses today. "The more you automate, the more avenues there are for individuals to exploit weaknesses within your systems," he explained. With the U.S. chip industry, particularly companies like Nvidia, potentially losing ground in the burgeoning $50 billion Chinese AI sector, and the surge in cyber threats from both state-sponsored actors and criminal organizations, the interplay of technology, security, and global politics has never been more critical. During this episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, hosted by Rebecca Bellan, Alperovitch, also the chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, delves into the shifting landscape of cybersecurity, the pivotal role startups play, and his perspective on the precarious state of global security, which he describes as a 'World on the Brink.' Don't miss the upcoming episode of Equity, where we’ll provide exclusive insights from TC Sessions: AI. Equity, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, airs every Wednesday and Friday. Tune in on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and Spotify, and follow us on X and Threads at @EquityPod. For those who prefer reading, transcripts of past episodes are available in our archive.