Index Ventures Partner Says Old Cybersecurity Model Is Breaking
Index Ventures partner Shardul Shah says on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast that periodic, human-in-the-loop security cannot keep up with AI-era threats, as investors back AI-native security startups.
The conversation comes as concern over AI safety and rogue agents continues to make headlines. TechCrunch reported that cybersecurity stocks are rising and that investors are pouring massive amounts of capital into startups trying to build the next generation of security for an AI-native world. Companies including Instinct and Simile have brought in nine-figure checks and valuations that would not have made sense a few years ago, according to the report.
Shah has spent nearly two decades investing in cybersecurity and enterprise software at Index Ventures. His track record includes six consecutive rounds in cloud security startup Wiz, which Google acquired for $32 billion earlier this year in one of its largest acquisitions ever.
On the podcast, Shah breaks down why periodic, human-in-the-loop security cannot keep up anymore, according to TechCrunch. He also explains why Index is willing to back AI-native security companies at stages that once required much more proof. The episode is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms.