Description:
In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Eli Tanzman, CEO and co-founder of Cygnostic. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI security, Eli shares his journey from military cyber operations to building a global company at the forefront of protecting modern development workflows.
Eli’s story is one of rapid evolution and intentional pivots—shifting from cybersecurity services to product-driven solutions that address the urgent challenges of AI, application, and cloud security. This episode digs into the shift from reactive to proactive protection, emphasizing the importance of building security directly into the development process—before vulnerabilities ever make it to production.
From real-time vulnerability detection to preventing prompt injection attacks on LLMs, Eli outlines how his team is redefining the security blueprint for a fast-moving digital world. He also shares how the reseller model enables startups to scale globally while maintaining localized security standards—without overextending their teams.
Whether you're building with AI, deploying in the cloud, or launching new software features, this episode offers an insider’s look at how to secure it all—intentionally.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Building Security Into Dev Workflows: They integrate integrate real-time vulnerability detection directly into the developer’s workflow—making R&D and security teams true collaborators (“BFFs”).
- AI Security Isn’t Optional: Eli explains how AI introduces new threat vectors—from prompt injections to LLM jailbreaks—and why catching these early is essential for both startups and enterprises.
- Proactive Cloud Security Is the New Standard: Instead of reacting to misconfigurations after deployment, their solutions stop them from ever hitting production—minimizing downtime and long-term risk.
- Specialization as a Competitive Edge: By narrowing focus to AI, application, and cloud security, they stand out in a crowded field—offering startup-friendly, deeply technical, and highly focused protection.
- Global Distribution Through Strategic Partnerships: Eli’s unique reseller model gives cutting-edge security startups global reach while keeping them focused on the U.S. market—bridging innovation with international demand.
Elipaz Tanzman
Elipaz Tanzman is the Co-Founder & CEO of Cygnostic, a specialized firm in application security. With over nine years in the cybersecurity field, Elipaz has held pivotal roles such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in the Israeli Navy and Senior Cyber Security Advisor at the Israeli Ministry of Defense. His extensive experience includes managing the cyber defense of submarines and leading offensive cyber initiatives at the Ministry of Defense.
Elipaz’s entrepreneurial journey began with Wake-Up Cyber, a service and consulting company he co-founded and successfully ran for four years before selling his stake a year ago. At Wake-Up Cyber, he established the company as a leader in cyber and information security, providing services to numerous well-known local and global corporations. His focus on integrating deep cybersecurity expertise with business processes set Wake-Up Cyber apart in the industry.
Currently, at Cygnostic, Elipaz specializes in application security, helping organizations seamlessly integrate security into their development processes. His mission is to solve the communication and resource challenges between security and development teams, ensuring that security measures enhance rather than impede innovation. Elipaz is also a dedicated member of the ISO 2700 international committee, contributing to global cybersecurity standards.
THE MEAT OF IT!
Eli’s Journey into Cybersecurity
- Transitioning from military cybersecurity officer to startup founder
- The impact of COVID and pivot to freelance consulting
- Founding Wake Up Cyber and lessons from the services world
Building Psygnostic: A Product-Led Pivot
- Why Eli left the services model behind
- Focusing on AI, application, and cloud security
- Creating a global reseller-distributor model
- Importance of specialization in a competitive market
Application Security and Developer-Centric Solutions
- Challenges of traditional security tools in fast-paced dev teams
- Real-time vulnerability detection and “shift-left” philosophy
- Making R&D and security teams true collaborators (“BFFs”)
AI Security: Navigating New Threat Vectors
- Prompt injection and jailbreak risks in LLMs
- Redacting sensitive data without blocking productivity
- Securing generative AI usage without slowing innovation
Cloud Security: Preventing Misconfigurations Proactively
- Why reactive scanning isn’t enough
- Preventing misconfigurations before they hit production
- Reducing MTTR and enhancing operational continuity
Scaling Globally and Staying Grounded
- Using localized partners to serve diverse markets
- Balancing rapid growth with family life
- Staying ahead of threats through constant research and innovation
Closing Reflections
- Eli’s outlook on the future of AI and cybersecurity
- Lessons in building responsibly and sustainably
- The role of security in shaping tomorrow’s technology landscape
Click to See Episode Chapters and Timestamp
| Timestamp | Summary |
| 0:00 | AI Security and Cybersecurity in Software Development |
| 6:34 | From Cybersecurity Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Success and Family Balance |
| 17:16 | Exclusive Global Distribution Strategy for Cybersecurity Startups |
| 21:44 | Balancing Security and Development in AI and Application Security |
| 35:51 | Global Business Strategies: Balancing Small and Large Clients |
| 39:45 | Proactive Cloud Security Solutions to Prevent Misconfigurations |
| 44:15 | Building a Cybersecurity Brand with AI and Global Expansion |
Check out these related Episodes:
- Episode 227: Dan Bennett – Hot Sauce & Hard Truths: Facing Fear, Playing the Hand Dealt & Rebranding
- Episode 224 – Building a Business: Progress Through Experimentation and Action – My Story
- Episode 221: Andy Gersberg – The Rise of GEO: Get Found by ChatGPT… Adapting to Win in the Age of AI
