About François Moerman
Q1: Can you share with us your journey into cybersecurity and what motivated you to start XRATOR?
François Moerman: “My journey began in the trenches of offensive cybersecurity, specifically with the French Ministry of Armed Forces, where I specialized in penetration testing and red team exercises. It was there I developed a profound understanding of stakeholders about cyber threats and the importance of anticipating and neutralizing these risks proactively. The transition to becoming the CTO of a Singaporean penetration testing company further solidified my experience, exposing me to the broader challenges organizations face in defending their digital ecosystems.
The motivation to start XRATOR stemmed from a recurring theme I observed: the struggle organizations faced in effectively automating their cyber-defense processes and quantifying cyber risks. It was clear that the prevailing approach to cybersecurity was reactive, often treating it as an afterthought rather than a pivotal business function. This realization sparked the vision for XRATOR—to transform cybersecurity into a strategic asset for organizations, empowering them to not just react to threats but to anticipate and mitigate them as part of their core business operations.”
Q2: What gap did you see in the market that XRATOR aims to fill?
François Moerman: “The gap was twofold. First, there was a significant disconnect between the CxOs and the technical teams responsible for cybersecurity. This disconnect often resulted in cybersecurity being sidelined or not integrated into the business strategy effectively. Second, the market was saturated with solutions that were overly focused on responding to threats rather than preventing them. These solutions lacked a comprehensive approach that aligned with business goals and regulatory compliance requirements.
XRATOR was conceived to bridge these gaps by offering an automated, preventive approach to cyber risks across the value chain. Our platform doesn’t just provide tools for cybersecurity; it serves as a strategic partner that aligns cybersecurity efforts with business objectives and compliance standards, making it seamless for organizations to protect their digital assets and enhance their eligibility for cyber insurance. In essence, XRATOR redefines the role of cybersecurity within organizations, positioning it as a cornerstone of business resilience.”
Q3: How does XRATOR differentiate itself in the crowded cybersecurity market?
François Moerman: “We build a company that focus on strategic integration and impact. Unlike traditional solutions that operate in silos, XRATOR provides a holistic view of an organization’s cyber risk posture, offering actionable insights that align with both technical and business perspectives. Our unique value proposition lies in our ability to demystify cybersecurity for decision-makers, translating complex technical challenges into clear business implications.
Moreover, our platform is designed to be not just a solution but a strategic partner to our clients. By automating compliance processes and accelerating certification workflows, we enable organizations to stay ahead of the curve in a dynamic regulatory environment. It’s this combination of strategic foresight, technical excellence, and business acumen that sets XRATOR apart in the cybersecurity landscape, ensuring our clients are not only secure but strategically positioned to thrive in the digital age.”
Q4: Beyond the world of cybersecurity, can you tell us about your hobbies and how they influence your approach as a CEO?
François Moerman: “Absolutely, I believe maintaining a balance between professional and personal life is crucial, especially in the high-stress environment of an early-stage startup. One of my passions outside of work is cooking. It’s an exercise in precision, creativity, and sometimes, improvisation. Each dish is like a unique project, where different components must come together harmoniously.
I also love practicing kickboxing. It’s a rigorous discipline that demands resilience, strategy, and focus. No matter how daunting the opponent is. Kickboxing instill a mindset of determination and the importance of staying agile—both physically and mentally.
Basically, creativity, precision, resilience, and a strategic mindset. They keep me grounded and provide a valuable counterbalance to the pressures of leading an early-stage cybersecurity startup, ensuring that I bring my best self to XRATOR and our mission to redefine cybersecurity resilience.”
About the company
Q1. Tell us a bit more about the company – what specific problem or gap in the market are you addressing with your solution?
François Moerman: “One of the major issues we’re tackling is the perception of cybersecurity as a low priority job or a ‘not-my-responsibility’ for decision-makers. Often, it is not given the attention it deserves as a core business goal, including the protection of valuable digital assets. Our approach at XRATOR is to bridge this gap by speaking the language of impact.
XRATOR’s SaaS offers an automated and unique preventive approach to cyber risks across the value chain. It enables companies, across industries, to close the knowledge gap between CxOs and engineers, accelerate their compliance certification processes, and helps increase eligibility for cyber insurance.
XRATOR redefines cybersecurity, seamlessly integrating it with business objectives. Our goal is to empower decision-makers with precise and effective digital asset protection.”
Q2. What are some key milestones the company has achieved since its inception?
François Moerman: “Since our inception, XRATOR achieved significant milestones:
- Global Presence: XRATOR expanded into multiple territories, including Southeast Asia, India, Australia & Europe, underscoring our commitment to providing global cybersecurity solutions.
- Huawei Cloud Startup Program Selection: Recognized for our innovative cybersecurity approach, we were chosen for Huawei Cloud’s Startup Program.
- LYVE Program Top 40 Selection: Selected as one of the top 40 companies in the LYVE program, a testament to our dedication and expertise in the industry.”
Q3. How did the company tackle emerging cybersecurity challenges, such as AI-driven threats, IoT security, or cloud-based vulnerabilities?
François Moerman: “I believe that in the realm of cybersecurity, the adage holds true: ‘You don’t know what you don’t know.’ Often, organisations may not fully realize what they are protecting or the extent of their exposure to risks. This is where XRATOR makes a significant impact by empowering decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of what they are safeguarding and the risks they face.
Indeed, with new technologies come new and expanded attack surfaces. XRATOR’s approach ensures that organisations are not only aware of these vulnerabilities but also equipped to mitigate them effectively. Our holistic platform goes beyond mere identification of weak links; it empowers decision-makers with the insights they need to make informed and proactive decisions in response to these evolving cybersecurity challenges.”
Q4. What are some note-worthy stories/ case studies of the company’s cybersecurity solutions being implemented and their impact on protecting businesses or organisations?
François Moerman: “One of our valued clients, a major fintech company, urgently needed to align its cybersecurity measures with strict MAS regulatory standards. In just 24 hours, our SaaS provided them with complete visibility into the assets requiring protection, offering clear insights into their cyber posture and crafting an action plan for MAS compliance. Leveraging XRATOR AutoComply, they efficiently organized compliance tasks, automated proof collection, and ensured audit readiness.
Another client oversees nationwide immigration efforts, managing vast amounts of personal data. Any data breach would be catastrophic, potentially leading to identity theft and becoming a PR nightmare. Recognizing the critical importance of data security, the company’s leaders prioritized cyber hygiene and placed their trust in XRATOR. Our automated system assists them in monitoring risks, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-changing cyber landscape, safeguarding sensitive information, and maintaining public trust.
At XRATOR, we are dedicated to delivering more than just a platform; we offer a holistic cybersecurity approach, empowering organizations to proactively secure their digital assets.”
About entrepreneurship
Q1. As the founder, what are 3 key challenges you faced during the initial stages of your startup?
François Moerman: “Like any founder, I had my fair share of challenges during our startup’s early days:
- Crafting Independent Vision: When starting a company, you’ll find that everyone wants to help, everyone has an opinion, and many offer to mentor. It becomes important to shape your own independent vision and welcome feedback that aligns with the direction you set for your company.
- Cybersecurity Market Complexity: The cybersecurity market is extremely crowded and inherently challenging. Building trust is essential, yet cybersecurity is often perceived as a necessary cost rather than an opportunity. Navigating this landscape, establishing credibility, and demonstrating the value of our solutions were significant hurdles.
- Communication and Perception: Cybersecurity, though crucial, isn’t always the most captivating topic, especially for those not well-versed in the field. To overcome this, we had to effectively communicate the business impact of our solutions, translating technical details into terms that resonate with a broader audience.”
Q2. How did you overcome them to establish a strong foothold in the market?
François Moerman: “To establish a robust market presence, we would like to keep it simple. Independent decision-making, clear goal setting, and active customer listening allowed us to stay agile and responsive. Belief in our vision and team, coupled with resilience in the face of failures has guided our journey.
And in a market where cybersecurity is often perceived as a cost, we centered our efforts on reliability. We aimed to demonstrate and generate value while simplifying our messaging. This approach has been instrumental in building a strong foothold in the industry.”
Q.3 What is your vision for the company? Do you mind sharing your goals for the next few years?
François Moerman: “My vision for the company aligns with the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. According to Gartner’s prediction, by 2026, 70% of boards will include one member with cybersecurity expertise*, making it evident that cybersecurity is a critical need for businesses. Empowering leaders with effective tools for risk prevention and management is essential.
In response to industry trends, our goal is to enhance our platform’s capabilities, demonstrating the business impact of inadequate cybersecurity and ensuring adaptability in siloed environments. XRATOR is dedicated to providing robust security, empowering decision-makers to protect the business amid evolving cyber threats.”
*Source: The Gartner Top Cybersecurity Predictions 2023-2024
Q4. What advice would you give someone starting out in a startup?
François Moerman: “For someone embarking on the startup journey, my four short pieces of advice are straightforward: believe in your vision passionately, don’t fear the competition, surround yourself with talented people who help you grow and share your passion, and most importantly, keep moving forward, even in the face of failures. Persistence is key.”
