CISO Optimism, Fail-Open Strategy, and the Return of Security History

In this edition, we're looking forward to the future of leadership, the evolution of threats, and the legacy of ideas that still shape cybersecurity today. From Caesar’s cipher to fail-open cloud defenses, it’s clear: innovation in security is about more than tools. It’s about mindset.

Whether you're prepping for BlackHat, tuning into a live session, or chasing sunlight at Topgolf, there's something here to sharpen your strategy.

🎙️CISOs, AI, and the Case for Optimism

In our latest CISO Spotlight, Andrew Storms makes a compelling case for why optimism is a vital skill for today’s security leaders. It’s not about blind faith; it’s about building trust, using AI as an ally, and leading with clarity in an age of uncertainty. A sharp, nuanced read for anyone navigating executive security roles in 2025.

Read the blog: https://lab.wallarm.com/ciso-spotlight-andrew-storms-trust-ai-why-cisos-need-to-be-optimists/

🧠 Upcoming Webinar: Why WAFs and Gateways Fall Short

APIs are evolving—and so are the threats. Join Tim Erlin on August 13 for a live session that breaks down why legacy tools like WAFs and API gateways can’t keep up. You’ll learn how attackers bypass traditional defenses using business logic abuse, and what modern API security really requires in the age of agentic AI.

Register here: https://www.wallarm.com/webinars/modern-apis-modern-threats-why-wafs-and-api-gateways-arent-enough

⛳ LA Security Summit Swings into Action

Join Wallarm and OWASP Los Angeles for a different kind of security summit—live at Topgolf El Segundo. On July 30, the LA API Security Summit brings together local experts for a half-day of technical sessions, peer panels, and real-world demos—capped off with sunset swings and open networking.

Register here: https://www.wallarm.com/los-angeles-api-security-summit-2025

🕵️♂️ Secrets, Ciphers, and Cyber History

Long before zero-days, there was zero knowledge unless you had the key. Julius Caesar’s ancient cipher kicked off millennia of innovation in hiding information, and now it’s taking center stage at the Wallarm Cyber Security Museum at BlackHat. Step inside a timeline of security history—from ancient cryptography to AI-era threats—and get a glimpse of what’s next.

Visit the website: https://cyber.museum/

🛡️ Fail-Open by Design, Not by Mistake

When security tools go down, your APIs shouldn’t. Wallarm’s latest blog dives into how fail-open architecture can keep Azure-native applications both secure and available even when inspection systems hit a snag. If you're building for uptime without sacrificing protection, this is essential reading.

Read the full blog: https://lab.wallarm.com/fail-open-architecture-for-api-protection-azure/

Thanks for catching up with us. Want to stay ahead of the curve between issues? Bookmark the blog, explore the museum, and, if you’re in LA, come swing by in person.