6 Questions with Feross Aboukhadijeh, CEO of Socket

It was our pleasure to catch up with Feross Aboukhadijeh, CEO of Socket, which helps developers stay secure while working with open source software.

1. Can you give us an overview of your background and how you started Socket?

I started coding because I wanted to create my own video game. That passion led me to dive deep into open source, writing over 100 open source projects. My journey through tech took me from coding to founding companies, working at big names like Facebook and teaching at Stanford.

The idea for Socket came from my experiences in open source and security. Seeing the challenges in software supply chain security, I wanted to build something that could protect open source without slowing down development. That's how Socket was born – out of a need to make software safer while keeping the development process efficient.

2. What is your favorite thing about the cyber security ecosystem right now?

The community's drive to constantly improve and protect is what excites me the most. It's a field where you're always on your toes, learning and adapting to new threats. The pace of innovation and the willingness of people to share knowledge and tools to combat threats collectively make it a vibrant ecosystem.

It's thrilling to be part of a community that's at the forefront of defending against evolving cyber threats.

3. What tips can you give to entrepreneurs considering starting a business in cyber security space?

• Understand the Landscape: Dive deep into understanding the current challenges and gaps in cybersecurity. This will help you identify where you can make the most impact.
• Build a Strong Team: Cybersecurity is complex. You need a team with diverse skills and deep expertise.
• Focus on the User: Make sure your solution not only addresses a significant problem but is also user-friendly. Adoption depends on how well users can integrate your product into their workflows.
• Stay Agile: The cybersecurity landscape changes rapidly. Be prepared to pivot and adapt your solutions as new threats and technologies emerge.
• Cybersecurity Tools and Startups Used Regularly: I use a range of tools for different aspects of cybersecurity, from threat detection to code analysis. Tools like GitHub for code management and security scanning, and various open-source tools for network security and vulnerability scanning. I also keep an eye on innovative solutions from startups in the space, always looking for new approaches to enhance security.

4. What cyber security tools or startups do you use on a regular basis?

Lately, I've been fascinated by tools that automate security within the software development lifecycle, especially those that integrate seamlessly into the developer workflow. To that end, we built Socket’s safe-npm CLI tool. These tools can identify potential security issues before they become problems, saving time and resources.

6. What can we expect to see coming out of Socket in the near future?

We're constantly working on improving Socket, making it even more efficient and comprehensive in detecting and blocking security threats. Expect to see more advanced features around automatic threat detection and integration capabilities with other development tools.

We're also focusing on community engagement, ensuring that the solutions we build serve the needs of developers and security professionals alike. Our goal is to make Socket an indispensable part of the software development and security landscape.