Suggestions
Michael Assraf
Michael Assraf is currently "Something new" according to his LinkedIn profile.1 He was previously the CEO & Co-Founder of Vicarius, a vulnerability remediation company he founded in 2016.12 Assraf has an extensive background in technology and cybersecurity, with over 15 years of industry experience.1
Career Highlights
-
Vicarius: As CEO, Assraf led the company to $5M in annual recurring revenue and 300 paying customers.1 He raised $26.6M in funding, including $18.6M in VC money and $8M in debt.13
-
Previous Roles: Before Vicarius, Assraf held positions at several companies, including:
Education
- MBA in Management of Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Tel Aviv University12
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from Jerusalem College of Engineering1
Entrepreneurial Journey
Assraf started Vicarius in a garage with two friends, Yossi Zeévi and Roi Cohen, in 2016.2 The company focuses on integrating, consolidating, and protecting critical apps and assets from exploitation.2 Assraf's approach to leadership includes staying closely involved with product development and fostering a community around the product to drive innovation.3
Highlights
When Roi, Yossi, and I were insane enough to sacrifice 10 hours of quality sleep per night to start building Vicarius, there were whispers of vulnerability remediation that mainly floated around the IT underworld, tormenting innocent sysadmins. The market at that time, circa 2015, was more focused on scanning and prioritizing vulnerabilities while not paying too much attention to fixing them.
This led to a product-market-fit challenge. We struggled to acquire customers and raise money. But we kept collecting feedback from our early customers and continued building.
Fast-forward to today, the market is ready.
New products have emerged to solve specific parts of remediation - like patch management, pen testing, threat intelligence, etc.
Compliance requirements have evolved. Mandates like PCI DSS, FISMA, and CMMC require you to show that you're not only scanning for vulnerabilities but also fixing them ASAP and, if not, have compensating controls that make the vuln un-exploitable.
Like a standing desk reversing the chronic effects of sitting, Vulnerability Remediation is now fundamental to a proactive security posture.
While it meant traversing through vicious winds and sub-zero temperatures, the wait was worth it.
Today, we have the most advanced vulnerability remediation solution on the market. Closed-loop, consolidated, easy to use.
I'll take some frostbite for that. 🤷♂️
In light of the recent tumultuous events in Israel 🇮🇱 with the loss of innocent lives, widespread chaos, and deep suffering, it feels somewhat unusual to share this message. Yet, it is in these challenging times that our resilience as a people shines brightest. Despite our hurdles, we stand united, overcoming every obstacle together. #BringThemHome
This unwavering spirit has been our guiding force, allowing us to navigate through turbulent times with perseverance and determination. I am immensely proud of every member of our team – the 'wolf pack' – who has contributed tirelessly to our progress. From the R&D team to those engaging with our customers and constantly working in the field to secure meetings and finalize deals, the dedication is nothing short of remarkable. It is truly inspiring to see what a small yet focused and unified team can achieve.
As we stand at this juncture, I am excited to declare that this is only the commencement of our voyage. The year 2024 marks the start of our full-throttle launch into new and unexplored realms. Here's to embracing the future with optimism and enthusiasm! 🕶️ 🚀
Special thanks to Fernando Martins 🇨🇵🇵🇹 of Bright Pixel (former Sonae IM), AlleyCorp, AllegisCyber Capital, and JVP.
And, of course, the Vicarius Wolfpack OGs - Yossi Ze'evi & Roi Cohen
#vicarius #vulnerabilityassessment #vulnerabilityremediation #vuln_gpt #remediation #assessment
