Early-stage internet pioneer, technologist, and writer David Holtzman has linked up with blockchain-based cybersecurity network Naoris Protocol. Through its application of blockchain technology, Naoris Protocol is creating a security network that leverages AI-based risk management and a decentralized validator structure based on CyberMesh.
Together, this will support end-to-end data security and privacy by transforming every participating network device into a trusted validator node. Per the Naoris team, Holtzman will take on an advisory role at the platform, supporting the project across marketing, technology, and strategy activities.
As one of the early contributors to the technology revolution that shaped the world wide web (internet) we know and use today, Holtzman will play a vital role in Naoris’ roadmap as it embarks to revolutionize cybersecurity with its novel CyberMesh technology. In the 1990s, Holtzman was Network Solutions's Chief Technology Officer (CTO), managing the Internet Domain Name System (DNS) and the ‘Dot’ root server. During his stint at Network Solutions, the number of internet domains skyrocketed from 500,000 to more than 20 million.
Before his role at Network Solutions, Holtzman held the position of Chief Scientist at IBM. He also ran a major research group at Booz-Allen & Hamilton and served as the CTO of Senator Evan Bayh’s presidential campaign. In addition, Holtzman held the position of senior cybersecurity advisor to General Wesley Clarke’s campaign. For the past six years, Holtzman has been active in the blockchain industry, working on numerous projects as a consultant, advisor, and director.
Upon becoming a part of Naoris Protocol’s efforts, Holtzman notes, “Naoris Protocol has the right ideas. In my many decades of experience working with disruptive innovators, I’ve come to the conclusion that a company’s most valuable differentiator is the strength of its underlying foundational principles and values. Naoris Protocol has started from a good place and their technology directly aligns with their beliefs. The value of networked decentralization cannot be overemphasized and their novel approach of applying that to security validation is an important one that is likely to be a real game changer.”
Besides his former management roles in several leading organizations and experience that spans decades, Holtzman worked as a Russian cryptographer deployed on naval submarines for the US Naval Security Group and later for the National Security Agency as a Soviet Cosmonaut Analyst. He has always been a vocal advocate of using personal cryptography to secure privacy instead of waiting for government regulation. In keeping with this advocacy, he authored the book “Privacy Lost: How Technology is Endangering Your Privacy,” which exposes the dark reality of invasive technology, who uses them, and how they threaten individual privacy.
According to Naoris Protocol CEO David Carvalho, “We are so incredibly blessed to be working with David Holtzman as an advisor to the project, we wouldn't have the internet as we know it today without him and we`re humbled to be splicing together new and highly impactful use cases and ideas with David. This is an exciting, and critical time for Naoris Protocol as we strive to bring the best and most visionary from Web2 and Web3 together to scale our Decentralized CyberSecurity Mesh approach. Having David Holtzman on board, with his incredible knowledge and world changing experience makes us feel great about the future of all things digital.”
The Naoris team recently raised around $11.5 million in funding from investors, including billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper’s Draper Associates, Holt Xchange, Level One Robotics, Uniera, SDC Management, the Holdun Family Office and Opportunity Fund, and other angel investors. Currently, the Naoris team is preparing to launch its minimum viable product (MVP) by the end of 2022, with the full product projected for rollout in mid-2023.
