Interview with Natali Tshuva, CEO at Sternum

Sternum has set out to make an impact, ensuring that our connected future will be the smartest, safest, and most valuable for the people in it. In order to achieve this, we have created a unique (patented) technology enabling us to be present on each and every individual IoT device, which has proven to be a persistent stumbling block in the IoT, mission-critical space until now.

Once this in-depth presence is achieved, we make sure to keep the devices (and data and people using it) safe from any cyber threat in real-time, with a unique approach that focuses on preventing the exploitation of vulnerabilities rather than trying to patch them all up. Using this presence and ability to see into every aspect of the device (including its third-party code), we also make sure to unlock all the data from the device’s operation in real-time and during development.

These insights and data are and will continue to be invaluable for any future big-data applications, better products, treatments, user experiences, and impactful insights. These advanced cybersecurity techniques come from our extensive background in the Israeli intelligence units, enabling us to provide the collection and analysis data enterprises truly need. Harnessing our extensive background in Israeli intelligence units, we’ve utilized our rich expertise in the field in order to achieve an effective and pioneering synergy between deep data and cybersecurity.
 
 

 

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

 
When I was a kid, I always dreamed of becoming a doctor, feeling that this was the best way to truly touch people’s lives. While that dream always remained, I also found computer science and cybersecurity incredibly exciting. I decided first to pursue cybersecurity, studying and working extensively in the field and after a long and very interesting career, I eventually reached a crossroad.

I knew I wanted to do something impactful – I just needed to find the best way to do so. That childhood dream of mine to become a doctor stayed with me, but it was time to decide: should I continue on the already successful path, or switch focus completely and enter medical school? I battled with this question for a while, using my favorite method to find the answers – to experience and collect as many data-points as possible.

I ultimately realized that these two paths were not conflicting after all. There was an option where both cybersecurity and the medical industry converged.

I discovered that due to security issues, life-saving medical devices that could have implemented advanced technologies and evolved to include remote treatments, were often prevented from being released as they lacked proper security.

This was true for other important industries as well. By leveraging my expertise in cybersecurity and computer science, together with my passion for the medical field, I realized I could create a more significant and large-scale impact than by practicing medicine. This is what led to the creation of Sternum – developing a technology that helps enable a connected revolution by offering insights from real-time data to truly make a difference.
 

How has the company evolved since it started?

 
Firstly, after a long period developing our technology, we’ve now reached a point where our products are widely available and deployed on a large scale of devices. We’ve received our patents, completed two financing rounds, built a truly amazing team that I am immensely proud of, and offered true innovation for our customers. These are the most resolute foundations needed for us to move forward to our next stage, scaling and growing the company to lead this exciting and (still growing) market.
 

What is your advice for young, aspiring leaders?

 
Though advice is important, learning from others’ mistakes and your mistakes, as well as being humble and aware of what you don’t know and getting inspired from others, eventually you have to essentially trust yourself. Don’t be afraid to take decisions that contradict the advice you got. That’s the only way to lead.