8 Key Insights From ASPM Nation 2.0

ASPM Nation 2.0 brought together top CISOs, practitioners, and industry experts from companies like TikTok, Cisco, Roche, Intermex and more to discuss the future of Application Security Posture Management (ASPM). 

Across eight insightful sessions, speakers shared critical strategies and tools to help businesses strengthen their AppSec posture and align security with business objectives. 

Check out the key takeaways below, or watch the full summit on-demand to get even more valuable insights.

1. Compliance Is Just the Starting Line for True Security

During the first session, Daniel Hereford and Heather Hinton reminded us that while compliance can mobilize security efforts, it’s just a baseline—not a true measure of security maturity. To create real impact, CISOs must move beyond checkbox compliance exercises and embed security into the core of their organization, with a focus on customer trust and resilience. 

Want to learn more about aligning security with business priorities? Watch the full session: Customers, Compliance & C-Suite; How To Align Application Security With Strategic Priorities

2. You Have to Bring Developers on the Journey to Secure Code

In our second session, panelists including Kayra Otaner, Michael Hammond, and Jose Veitia highlighted that developers actually want to write secure code…but the process must be low friction. 

That means security leaders must frame security as a shared responsibility where developers are accountable, and partner with them to make security an intuitive part of their workflows. By aligning DevSecOps with developer workflows and embedding continuous feedback, organizations can foster collaboration, not resistance. 

Curious about how ASPM makes this possible? Check out Security Solved; How Three Security Leaders Bridged The Security & Developer Divide with ASPM

3. Security is a Team Sport

With V.Jay Rosa’s experience as the CISO of Cisco Meraki, it’s hard not to trust what he says. And in session three, he made it clear that security success isn’t achieved by a single tool or team. It’s the combined effort of security, developers, and operations all working toward a common goal—quality and resilience. 

With the right technology like ASPM, CISOs can centralize everything into one platform, making security easier and more effective across the board. 

Interested in how to scale your AppSec program? Watch A CISOs Blueprint; The ‘Must-Haves’ to Build & Scale Your ASPM Program

4. Technical Expertise Is Just One Aspect of Being an Effective CISO

Curious what it takes to become a better CISO? Then don’t miss our fourth session with Hall-of-Famers Helen Patton and Andy Ellis.

They both emphasized the importance of people skills and stressed that effective CISOs don’t just master technology; they build trust, tell compelling stories, and speak the language of the business. They understand that motivating stakeholders isn’t about security for security’s sake, but aligning it with business outcomes. 

Want more actionable leadership lessons? Catch the full session: 3 Timeless Leadership Lessons From The Product Security To CISO Journey

5. AI Can Transform AppSec, But It’s Not a Silver Bullet

Our fifth session brought together experts James Berthoty and Narendra Ramakrishna to explore how AI is revolutionizing AppSec. 

They believe—like many others—that AI can help democratize security efforts, but its use comes with new risks, particularly with AI-generated code that can introduce vulnerabilities. The bottom line: AI is a powerful tool but requires careful oversight to avoid pitfalls. 

Want to know how to harness AI for AppSec without compromising security? Don’t miss the session: Predictions; What The Future Holds for Application Security

6. Secure-By-Design Principles Are Essential for Business Resilience

Next up, Cliff Huffaker stressed that organizations that prioritize security from the ground up enjoy lower costs, faster delivery, and better customer trust—a win-win-win.

But this doesn’t happen in isolation, which is why secure-by-design principles are so important. They reduce technical debt and enhance agility, helping teams deliver secure, resilient products faster. 

Want to explore how to increase trust while decreasing legal liabilities? Watch the full session: Secure By Design With ASPM – A New Operating Model For Application Security

7. ASPM is a Much-Needed Evolution of AppSec

If you’re looking to streamline workflows and improve security outcomes, this session is for you. 

Guillaume Montard walked us through the evolution of AppSec—highlighting how past solutions lacked real-time remediation and full integration with dev workflows and why some solutions that claim to be in the ASPM category actually aren’t. 

He also details how Cycode’s Complete ASPM addresses important gaps by offering seamless visibility, prioritization, and remediation, and introduces new features like Cycode AI and a customizable dashboard experience. 

8. Visibility is the Foundation of Security

Last but certainly not least, Roland Cloutier drove home the point that you can’t protect what you can’t see. 

Code is the crown jewel of any digital business, and ASPM offers the end-to-end visibility organizations need to defend modern applications, ensuring teams can trace vulnerabilities from the moment they’re written to the moment they’re resolved. 

Ready to see how visibility translates into security? Watch the full A CISO’s Guide to Code Resilience with ASPM session.

What’s Next?

The summit provided a wealth of insights on the evolving landscape of AppSec. From compliance and AI to ASPM and security champions, the takeaways reveal how critical it is for organizations to invest in comprehensive, integrated security solutions. To learn more about these topics and gain even deeper insights, watch the full summit.

Ready to enhance your cyber and business resilience? Book a demo to see how Cycode can help you strengthen your AppSec posture.