10 AI-Powered Cybersecurity Startup CEOs to Watch in the U.S. 2024

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, AI-powered solutions are becoming increasingly crucial in defending against sophisticated threats. In 2024, several innovative leaders are at the forefront of this transformation, driving their companies to new heights with cutting-edge technologies and strategic vision. 

Here are 10 AI-powered cybersecurity startup CEOs to watch in the U.S. :

Obsidian Security

 CEO: Hasan Imam

Obsidian Security, founded in 2017, is a leading AI-powered cybersecurity startup that specializes in securing SaaS applications through advanced identity management and threat detection solutions. Under the leadership of CEO Hasan Imam, who joined the company in January 2021, Obsidian leverages artificial intelligence to provide a single source of trust for identity, enabling rapid data breach prevention and containment. Imam, with his extensive experience in tech leadership roles at companies like Shape Security and DocuSign, continues to drive the company’s innovation and growth in the cybersecurity landscape.

Deep Instinct

CEO: Lane Bess

Deep Instinct, founded in 2015, is a pioneering AI-driven cybersecurity company that leverages end-to-end deep learning to prevent cyber threats, with a focus on unknown malware detection. Lane Bess, who became CEO in September 2022, brings over 30 years of tech industry experience, having previously served as CEO of Palo Alto Networks and COO of Zscaler. Under Bess’s leadership, Deep Instinct has introduced innovative AI-powered cybersecurity solutions, strengthening its market position and securing significant funding to accelerate growth.

Cyware

CEO: Anuj Goel 

Cyware, founded in 2016, is an innovative AI-driven cybersecurity company that specializes in threat intelligence sharing and security operations through its Virtual Cyber Fusion Center platform. Anuj Goel, the co-founder and CEO, leads the company with a vision to create a collective defense network against cyber threats. With a Ph.D. in Information Engineering and extensive experience in cybersecurity, Goel has positioned Cyware as a leader in delivering advanced SOAR (security orchestration, automation, and response) technology, helping organizations enhance threat visibility and collaboration. 

CUJO AI

CEO:  Remko Vos

CUJO AI, founded in 2015, is a leading AI-powered cybersecurity and network intelligence company that provides solutions for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The company leverages advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to offer comprehensive device identification, network security, and privacy protection services. Remko Vos, who assumed the role of CEO in April 2022, brings extensive experience in product innovation and management from his previous positions at Comcast and other tech companies. Under Vos’s leadership, CUJO AI continues to expand its reach, now covering nearly 2 billion connected devices across North America and Europe, while driving innovation in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions for broadband operators.

DataDome

CEO: Benjamin Fabre

Benjamin Fabre is the co-founder and CEO of DataDome, an AI-powered cybersecurity company founded in 2015 that specializes in bot and online fraud protection. With a background as a serial entrepreneur since the 2000s, Fabre brings expertise in cybersecurity, scalable web infrastructures, and AI-powered data stream processing. Under his leadership, DataDome has developed innovative solutions that analyze trillions of signals daily to detect and mitigate cyber threats in real-time. The company’s AI-driven approach has garnered recognition, including being named a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave for Bot Management and consistently ranking as a top G2 Leader in Bot Detection & Mitigation.

Anomali

CEO: Ahmed Rubaie

Anomali, founded in 2013, is a leader in intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions, providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities to organizations worldwide. Ahmed Rubaie, who became CEO in March 2021, brings over three decades of global technology leadership experience. Before joining Anomali, Rubaie held key positions at companies such as Ariba, Sitecore, and Fortinet, where he drove strategic expansions and growth transformations. Under his leadership, Anomali continues to innovate in threat intelligence and extended detection and response (XDR) solutions, aiming to reshape the future of cybersecurity.

HUMAN

CEO: Stu Solomon 

HUMAN Security, formerly known as White Ops, is a leading AI-powered cybersecurity company that specializes in protecting organizations from sophisticated bot attacks, digital fraud, and account abuse. Stu Solomon, who became CEO in January 2024, brings extensive experience from his previous role as President of Recorded Future and executive positions at companies like Optiv and iSIGHT Partners. With a background that includes military service as a senior officer in the Delaware Air National Guard, Solomon’s leadership aims to accelerate HUMAN’s growth and innovation in disrupting the economics of cybercrime. Under his guidance, HUMAN continues to expand its digital fraud management capabilities across the full digital user journey, leveraging its Human Defense Platform to verify the humanity of over 20 trillion digital interactions weekly.

Halcyon

CEO: Jon Miller

Halcyon, founded in 2021, is an AI-powered cybersecurity company dedicated to combating ransomware through a multi-layered defense approach. The company offers advanced solutions that integrate pre-execution detection, behavioral modeling, deception techniques, and resilient recovery mechanisms to protect enterprises from ransomware attacks. Jon Miller, the CEO and co-founder, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including co-founding Boldend and serving as Chief Research Officer at Cylance. Under Miller’s leadership, Halcyon has secured significant funding and continues to innovate in the cybersecurity space, providing robust protection and rapid recovery capabilities to its customers.

HiddenLayer

CEO: Chris Sestito

HiddenLayer, founded in 2022, is a pioneering AI-powered cybersecurity company dedicated to protecting machine learning models from adversarial attacks, inference, bypass, extraction, and model theft. The company offers a comprehensive security platform that safeguards AI without adding unnecessary complexity or requiring access to raw data and algorithms. Chris Sestito, the co-founder and CEO, brings over a decade of experience in threat research, intelligence, and data science from his previous roles at Cylance, Qualys, and Agari. Under Sestito’s leadership, HiddenLayer has secured significant funding and partnerships, positioning itself as a leader in AI security solutions for enterprises across various industries.

Traceable

CEO: Jyoti Bansal

Traceable, founded in 2019, is an AI-powered cybersecurity company that specializes in API security. The company offers comprehensive solutions to discover, protect, and test APIs, leveraging advanced machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect and block API attacks, prevent data exfiltration, and provide deep security insights. Jyoti Bansal, the co-founder and CEO, is a seasoned technology entrepreneur known for his previous success with AppDynamics, which was sold to Cisco for $3.7 billion. Under Bansal’s leadership, Traceable has emerged as a leader in API security, helping organizations protect their digital ecosystems from next-generation cyber threats.