Frontline Lessons in
Security Leadership

As both a former CISO and current CEO, I wish I'd had this book early in my career. Keren cuts through the noise to deliver what security leadership actually requires: practical frameworks forged through real failures and hard-won successes. This isn't theory, it's battle-tested wisdom that will make you more effective from day one.

Guy Bejerano, CEO, SafeBreach

I've known and admired Assaf for years. What makes this book so powerful is that it's not theory – it's hard-won lessons from someone who has built, rebuilt, and led security at the very top. Any current or aspiring security leader will walk away with practical insights they can apply immediately.

Sid Trivedi, Partner, Foundation Capital

Building and sustaining security in major enterprises is much more than a technical discipline. Rather, it's an intense leadership challenge balancing influence, grit and team building. Assaf's personal journey revealed in this book contains lessons for all security professionals - whether you are starting out or an established leader you will love this.

Phil Venables, Former CISO, Goldman Sachs / Google Cloud

Having worked alongside Assaf and navigated the high-stakes chaos of massive incident response under his leadership, I can say with certainty that this book captures the raw reality of cybersecurity at scale. The Downforce isn't a playbook or a manual; it's a gripping story that reflects the high-pressure act of managing technical crises while protecting business trust. The chaotic energy, the split-second decisions, and the stress of executive communication are incredibly authentic to what we experienced. Assaf distilled years of real-world, high-consequence battle scars into an invaluable, highly engaging masterclass.

Renana Friedlich-Barsky, CISO, LPL Financial

Finally, there's a book that absolutely nails the high-stakes reality of running security at a fast-paced tech company. The story perfectly captures the tension of vendor breaches, regulators, and the immense personal toll the job takes on a leader. Highly recommended for any security professional or executive, or really anyone who wants a fresh perspective on high-stakes roles.

Dimitry Shvartsman, CPO & Co-Founder, Prime Security

This is a book about a cybersecurity leader and her first 155 days at a new company. It's also a lesson in self-care, leadership, and navigating work with a family. What most surprised me was how well the story stayed engaging while wading through some dense technical maneuvers. It's hard to keep a narrative compelling when some of the central action is between lawyers and security people, but this was Grisham-level good! For me the biggest takeaway was an understanding of how different rooms are for different decisions — sometimes the boardroom isn't the right place to lay everything out, and the backroom meetings should happen first. I highly recommend the book to any aspiring security leader, first-time executive, or anyone embarking on a leadership journey.

Adam Arellano, Field CTO, Harness