Mickey Boodaei, CEO and Co-Founder, Transmit Security, tells us what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
My most memorable achievement would be launching my first company. From a very young age, I harbored a desire to start my own business and make a meaningful impact. Taking that leap was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I have relished the journey every single day since then.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
My interest in a career in technology was sparked when I was just 10 years old. I found myself writing code and spending countless hours in front of a computer. It quickly became evident that this was the path I wanted to follow for the rest of my life.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I prioritize hiring exceptionally talented individuals and empowering them to excel at their jobs. My key focus is ensuring that everyone is on the same page so we are not working at cross purposes. I invest a significant amount of effort into continually enhancing our talent pool throughout the organization and ensuring everyone understands both our collective goals and the path towards achieving them. This may sound straightforward, but it requires substantial energy and attention – particularly as the organization grows.
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point?
The hot topic in technology right now is identity-related cybersecurity attacks, such as account takeovers, scams and fraud. We’re witnessing a significant increase in the frequency and sophistication of these attacks. Identity has become the frontline for everything online, and as the world moves increasingly online, the potency of identity-related attacks grows. These attacks can have devastating consequences for both individuals and organizations. Generative AI is aiding cybercriminals in executing more refined identity-related attacks. Cybercriminals often quickly adopt new technologies as they don’t face the same regulatory and procedural constraints as large enterprises. Generative AI is a game-changer for them and many organizations have yet to acknowledge this fact.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office?
Having spent over 30 years in tech and founding three companies, I believe I’ve managed to handle everyday stress effectively. Of course, there are occasional stressful situations, but I don’t experience daily stress as I did perhaps 20 years ago. This shift comes down to a combination of maturity and experience. Regardless, outside the office, I adhere to best practices – prioritizing sleep, regular exercise, maintaining a nutritious diet and spending quality time with family and friends. I try to take short vacations and I particularly enjoy water sport in summer and skiing during winter.
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be?
I was born and raised in Israel and I spent six years in the Israeli military focusing on cybersecurity, due to our mandatory military service. If I could go back 30 years, I would probably choose a field military unit instead of a technology one. I’d advise my younger self that you’re going to spend the majority of your life in technology, so seize this unique opportunity to experience something different that you won’t be able to do elsewhere in your lifetime.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
One significant area of investment in our industry is definitely AI, particularly when it comes to combating cybersecurity and fraud challenges. AI holds immense potential in bolstering cybersecurity measures, although we are in the early stages of this journey. In the future, I foresee cybersecurity becoming a battleground of AI against AI – which is why we are heavily investing in this area.
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in North America?
From my perspective, North America is one of the easier regions to navigate. It’s vast, relatively homogeneous and predictable. That said, it’s also highly influenced by marketing. Therefore, our challenge lies in competing with the substantial marketing machinery prevalent in our space. While I’d prefer to direct more resources towards refining our technology, it’s essential in North America to strike a balance between product development and marketing-a balance we are still learning to achieve.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
The primary change in my role isn’t due to a market trend but a specific strategic choice for Transmit Security: I decided to take on Product Management in addition to my role as CEO. Being a product-first company, constant innovation is crucial to avoid becoming outdated and I view our product strategy as the most vital task at hand. Given my strong product background, I wanted to personally oversee this aspect. Going forward, I intend to continue leading product management and aim to fine-tune the process as we continue to grow.
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry?
In the hi-tech sector, it’s important to prioritize the organization’s needs over your career ambitions. Good executives will recognize and appreciate this quality – which will likely lead them to want you as part of their team.
