In an interview at BlackHat, Jason Lamar, Cobalt’s Senior Vice President of Product, discussed the increasing significance of cybersecurity in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. With the rise in cyberattacks in terms of frequency and complexity, organizations are under pressure to protect their assets and maintain trust. Statistics show that a significant 68% of companies have faced serious data breaches in the past year, mostly due to vulnerabilities that could have been identified and mitigated through more rigorous testing.
Lamar emphasized the need for cybersecurity teams to adapt their strategies to the growing adoption of AI tools. Offensive security practices such as penetration testing have proven to be effective in reducing successful breaches, helping organizations strike a balance between innovation and risk management. However, many organizations face challenges with vulnerability backlogs caused by budget constraints and talent shortages.
To address these challenges, Cobalt offers a pioneering solution known as Pentest as a Service (PtaaS) on its Offensive Security Testing Platform. This innovative service combines cutting-edge technology with a network of seasoned security experts to deliver comprehensive, on-demand security testing. Unlike traditional penetration testing methods that can be slow and resource-intensive, Cobalt’s platform enables companies to launch a pentest within days, meeting the increasing demand for rapid and continuous security assessments. The centralized nature of the platform fosters smooth collaboration between internal teams and external experts, expediting the detection and remediation of vulnerabilities.
Jason Lamar highlighted the role of AI and automation in Cobalt’s approach, utilizing advanced tools and large language models like ChatGPT. This enables even small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources to bolster their defenses in today’s challenging landscape. By automating routine tasks and streamlining processes, organizations can focus on addressing critical security issues effectively.
Moreover, Cobalt emphasizes flexibility and integration in its platform design, catering to the unique needs of organizations of all sizes. With features like Attack Surface management and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Cobalt offers a comprehensive view of an organization’s risk profile, supporting proactive defense strategies that evolve with emerging threats. Seamless integration with DevSecOps tools ensures that security practices are ingrained into the development lifecycle, reducing the risk of breaches and enhancing overall security posture.
Clients have lauded Cobalt for transforming their security strategies, with Eric Galis, CISO at Cengage, praising the platform’s ability to scale their team effectively. The platform allows for rapid setup of pentests within 24 hours, accommodating multiple tests simultaneously and providing a scalable approach tailored to different teams’ needs.
In conclusion, Cobalt’s platform offers more than just a tool – it provides a comprehensive solution that integrates seamlessly with existing workflows and enhances an organization’s security posture. By combining AI-driven automation with expert-led testing, Cobalt empowers organizations to stay ahead of threats, mitigate risks, and drive innovation. With its innovative features and expert testers, Cobalt is setting new benchmarks in the offensive security industry, enabling organizations to protect their digital assets more effectively than ever before.

