CyberArk founder and executive chairman Udi Mokady returns to Security Matters at a transformational moment—now as part of Palo Alto Networks, following the acquisition’s close on February 11. In this far‑reaching conversation, Udi and host David Puner explore why identity has become the attack vector for modern enterprises, driven by an unprecedented surge in human, machine and AI‑powered identities that attackers increasingly exploit.

Udi discusses what the combined companies’ scale and capabilities mean for customers, why identity security must now operate as frontline defense rather than a management layer, and how AI agents are rapidly reshaping the threat landscape. He also reflects on CyberArk’s long‑distance entrepreneurial journey, the cultural foundations that have made the company durable over 26 years, and how productive paranoia, innovation and trust continue to guide the mission forward inside Palo Alto Networks.

Note: This episode was recorded in January, prior to the acquisition’s close.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Ariel Pisetzky, chief information officer at CyberArk, for a candid look at the fast‑evolving intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and IT innovation. As organizations race to adopt AI, the fear of missing out is driving rapid decisions—often without enough consideration for identity, security, or long‑term impact.

Ariel shares practical insights on what it really takes to secure AI at scale, from combating AI‑enabled phishing attacks to managing agent identities and reducing growing risks in the software supply chain.

The conversation explores how leaders can balance innovation with identity‑centric guardrails, understand the economics of AI adoption, and push for the democratization of IT without losing control. Whether you're a CIO, an IT leader, or simply curious about the future of cybersecurity, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help you stay ahead in 2026 and beyond.

AI systems are moving fast, sometimes faster than the guardrails meant to contain them. In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner digs into the hidden risks inside modern AI models with Pamela K. Isom, exploring the governance gaps that allow agents to make decisions, recommendations, and even commitments far beyond their intended authority.

Isom, former director of AI and technology at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and now founder and CEO of IsAdvice & Consulting, explains why AI red teaming must extend beyond cybersecurity, how to stress test AI governance before something breaks, and why human oversight, escalation paths, and clear limits are essential for responsible AI.

The conversation examines real-world examples of AI drift, unintended or unethical model behavior, data lineage failures, procurement and vendor blind spots, and the rising need for scalable AI governance, AI security, responsible AI practices, and enterprise red teaming as organizations adopt generative AI.

Whether you work in cybersecurity, identity security, AI development, or technology leadership, this episode offers practical insights for managing AI risk and building systems that stay aligned, accountable, and trustworthy.