Building a Cybersecurity Startup with NSA Tech

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Rogers, CEO & Co-Founder of Invary, to explore an unconventional approach to building a cybersecurity startup—leveraging a tech transfer agreement with the NSA. Jason shares his journey of launching a company around licensed technology, the benefits and challenges that come with it, and why runtime system integrity is becoming a crucial factor in modern security strategies. We also dive into how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape, the importance of real-time security validation, and how companies can better protect their systems against evolving threats. Key Takeaways 🔹 Tech transfer provides a competitive edge – Licensing government-developed technology can offer startups a head start with validated, battle-tested IP. 🔹 Security needs to be proactive, not reactive – Real-time validation of system integrity can prevent breaches before they escalate. 🔹 Collaborative research fuels innovation – Invary works with the NSA and academic institutions to advance security capabilities. 🔹 AI is expanding the attack surface – As AI adoption grows, ensuring system and data integrity will be more critical than ever. 🔹 Zero trust applies to machines too – It’s not enough to verify users—organizations must continuously verify their systems. Timestamped Highlights ⏳ 00:01 – Introduction to Jason Rogers and Invary’s mission ⏳ 00:49 – How NSA-licensed technology is securing critical systems ⏳ 01:36 – The journey from research-backed tech to startup success ⏳ 02:56 – The challenges and benefits of building a business around licensed IP ⏳ 05:32 – Collaborating with government research teams for innovation ⏳ 09:33 – How engineers adapt to the tech transfer model ⏳ 14:06 – Why runtime integrity is the missing piece in security ⏳ 16:34 – The shift from traditional security models to real-time validation ⏳ 19:27 – AI’s growing attack surface and what it means for security ⏳ 23:28 – Predicting future cybersecurity challenges in an AI-driven world ⏳ 24:00 – How to connect with Jason Quote from the Episode “The bad guys collaborate all the time. It’s time for the good guys to do the same.” – Jason Rogers Connect with Jason Rogers 🔗 Website: Invary.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlrogers/ Stay Connected with The Tech Trek! 🎧 Like what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform! 📩 Have feedback or guest suggestions? Connect with Amir on LinkedIn. 🔔 Follow for more deep dives into technology, security, and innovation.