Published on: July 25, 2024
In this insightful SafetyDetectives interview, we sit down with Zuo Bruno, the visionary CEO and Founder of Zuoix. Zuo shares his journey from discovering vulnerabilities in a major African job search engine to founding a pioneering cybersecurity firm. He discusses Zuoix’s unique mission to provide offensive cybersecurity services and how their proactive approach sets them apart in the industry. Bruno also highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity training and the evolving role of AI in both offense and defense. For those looking to enter the field, he offers valuable advice on the critical skills needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.
Could you tell me a little bit about your background and how you became the CEO of Zuoix?
I started Zuoix in 2014 after moving out of Cameroon and traveling to Burkina Faso. In Burkina Faso, I was making plans to travel to Italy with my wife, but then I noticed a young Cameroonian with a wonderful startup idea. That idea eventually grew into the biggest job search engine in Africa, known today as Njorku.com. Njorku promises young people within the African continent the ease of finding jobs and applying for them.
When I came across this initiative, I did a vulnerability analysis on the website and found several vulnerabilities, including data leaks, passwords, and user locations. This prompted me to move back to Cameroon and start a cybersecurity company to offer services to the various fast-growing startups in the Silicon Mountain Area, Cameroon’s version of Silicon Valley, located at the foot of Mount Cameroon in the city of Buea. That’s how I got back to Cameroon and started Zuoix, and the rest is history.
What’s the main mission of Zuoix?
Our company’s mission is to offer offensive cybersecurity services to companies, governments, and institutions, primarily focusing on Africa. Although we have an office in the United States, our mission is 100% focused on the African continent.
How does your approach to threat intelligence and cyber forensics differ from other firms?
This is one of the biggest things that set us apart. Many companies in cybersecurity usually focus on defensive security, helping organizations defend themselves and stay compliant with regulations.
In contrast, Zuoix is an offensive-focused security company. We don’t wait for you to be attacked before defending you; we proactively show you your vulnerabilities and weaknesses. We challenge companies to see how strong their security measures are. Basically, every company believes that their security measures are top-notch until they are exploited.
What Zuoix brings to the table is to say, “Hey, you might trust in your security measures, but let’s see how strong they really are.” This proactive approach, especially in Africa, has us working closely with governments from South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How important is cybersecurity training and awareness in the fight against cyber threats?
With the advent of artificial intelligence, everyone can be a threat actor. There was a time when you needed to learn from someone else to be a bad guy, but today AI makes it much easier. Tools like FlowGPT allow anyone to craft their own AI to carry out attacks.
Therefore, it’s extremely important that every team member, regardless of their role, has some knowledge of cybersecurity. We are moving to a point where AI can automate attacks from start to finish, so training and awareness are crucial. It’s not just about having a cybersecurity team anymore; it’s about making sure that everyone in the organization, from the secretary to the marketing team, understands the basics of cybersecurity and the threats we face today.
How do you see the growing need for cybersecurity professionals affecting the industry, and what advice do you have for those looking to enter the field?
AI in cybersecurity is a double-edged sword. On the positive side, companies are recognizing the importance of securing their hardware and software, leading to an increase in demand for cybersecurity experts. I strongly encourage those interested in tech to consider a career in cybersecurity, as it is becoming increasingly essential.
If you’re looking to enter the tech field, I highly recommend focusing on cybersecurity. It’s important to understand the critical aspects and the evolving nature of threats in this domain. Additionally, there is a significant influx of young people entering cybersecurity, particularly in areas like compliance, coding, and writing exploits and defensive mechanisms. These skills are not only vital today but will continue to be crucial in the future.
For businesses looking to improve their cybersecurity posture, what are some of the first steps you recommend?
First, find a company that has been in the field for some time with a good reputation. Cybersecurity is ever-evolving, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Companies should hire firms to not only secure their systems but also provide training and red teaming exercises. Regularly having cybersecurity conferences and speakers can help keep the team updated on new trends and compliance requirements. Additionally, staying abreast of government regulations and ensuring frequent updates and training can significantly improve a company’s cybersecurity posture. One other thing that is also important is having frequent cybersecurity training sessions, where experts come in and provide updates on the latest threats and how to mitigate them. This not only keeps the team informed but also helps in building a culture of security awareness within the organization.