Trend Micro co-founder and CEO Eva Chen calls for the cybersecurity industry to rebalance between … [+]
The world of cybersecurity is constantly changing and evolving—but one constant has been the leadership of Eva Chen, co-founder and CEO of Trend Micro. As the longest-serving CEO in the cybersecurity industry, Chen brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on how the industry must evolve to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.
I’m dating myself here, but I’ve been a fan of Trend Micro for over 20 years. When I was part of a team at EDS doing managed antivirus for clients in the early 2000s, Trend Micro and McAfee were my areas of expertise. At the time, Trend Micro was often seen as the number three player behind McAfee and Symantec. Ironic that two decades later, Symantec and McAfee have more or less faded from glory while Trend Micro is still going strong.
“I think there are several styles of CEOs in security — some are technical and others are more business-oriented or have a sales background,” said Lawrence Pingree, VP. “The amazing thing about Eva is that she is technical and can dig deep, which benefits her company.”
I had an opportunity to connect with Chen during the Black Hat conference and talk about the urgent need for a balanced approach, emphasizing core principles while embracing innovation.
A call for rebalancing the industry
Eva Chen’s tenure at Trend Micro has been marked by a consistent focus not only on technological advancement, but also on the strategic balance between security operations and business continuity.
“We are the braking system of a race car,” Chen explained metaphorically, emphasizing that safety is not only about prevention, but enabling safe acceleration. This philosophy underscores the need for a balanced approach where security measures do not stifle business operations, but instead support and enhance them.
The cybersecurity landscape has often oscillated between extremes—either overly aggressive security protocols that impede business operations or lax security measures that expose organizations to significant risks. Chen advocates a middle ground, where the core principles of cybersecurity are maintained while ensuring that business processes are not disrupted. This balanced approach is even more important as organizations increasingly integrate AI and other advanced technologies into their operations.
Protecting core principles amid technological change
Trend Micro’s latest initiatives underscore the company’s commitment to upholding core cybersecurity principles even as it embraces cutting-edge technologies. The strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to secure AI-enabled data centers and the release of AI-driven cyber risk management capabilities are prime examples. These efforts are designed to deliver robust security without compromising the agility and innovation that AI brings to the enterprise landscape.
Chen emphasized the importance of clear communication and proactive measures in cyber security. This perspective informs current strategies that prioritize transparency, rapid response, and continuous improvement in security protocols. By maintaining a focus on these core principles, Trend Micro ensures that its security solutions remain effective and reliable even as the technology landscape evolves.
The power of longevity and continuous innovation
Under Chen’s leadership, Trend Micro has not only survived, but thrived, maintaining its position as a leader in the cybersecurity industry for more than three decades. This longevity is attributed to an unwavering commitment to innovation while remaining true to fundamental safety principles.
The company’s Q2 2024 earnings report shows impressive growth, with a 13% increase in net sales and a 45% increase in annual recurring revenue related to the enterprise platform. These numbers underscore Trend Micro’s ability to adapt and lead in a dynamic industry landscape.
The cooperation with NVIDIA is especially worth mentioning. By integrating NVIDIA’s enterprise artificial intelligence suite, Trend Micro is enhancing its cybersecurity offerings to meet the needs of modern enterprises. This partnership reflects Chen’s vision of leveraging advanced technologies to strengthen, not compromise, security.
As she aptly put it, “We’re doing AI security, but it’s not about building a new model that’s the most secure and will respond to everything correctly. We’re helping our customers operationalize operations their application of AI.”
Embracing AI with security at the fore
The transformative potential of AI in cybersecurity is immense, but it also brings new challenges.
Chen emphasized that while AI can democratize access to advanced analytics and automation, it must be deployed carefully and securely. Trend Micro’s proactive measures, such as the development of a zero-trust security gateway and AI-driven threat detection, are designed to ensure that AI applications are secure from the start.
This focus on AI security is essential as organizations increasingly rely on AI for operational efficiency and decision-making. Trend Micro’s initiatives to ensure AI deployment aligns with broader industry trends and regulatory expectations, ensuring enterprises can leverage the benefits of AI without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.
Looking Ahead: A Unified Vision for Cyber ​​Security
Eva Chen’s leadership and vision provide a compelling roadmap for the cybersecurity industry. Its call for a balanced approach, based on core principles and enhanced by innovative technologies, is timely and essential.
As the industry navigates the complexities of AI, cloud computing and other advances, Chen’s insights remind us that true cybersecurity is about enabling business resilience and continuity.
Chen’s advice is clear: it’s time to rebalance, to ensure our security measures are robust and supportive of business operations. By doing so, we can navigate the evolving threat landscape with confidence, ensuring that when the dust settles, the core principles of cybersecurity remain steadfastly protected.