Prompt Security's Itamar Golan on why generative AI security requires building a category, not a feature

VentureBeat Interview with Itamar Golan, Co-founder and CEO of Prompt Security

VentureBeat recently had a virtual sit-down with Itamar Golan, the co-founder and CEO of Prompt Security, to discuss the challenges organizations face with GenAI security. Golan shared insights on shadow AI sprawl, strategic decisions that set Prompt Security apart as a market leader, and a key incident that highlighted the importance of securing AI applications. This interview sheds light on how Prompt Security’s vision led to a successful acquisition by SentinelOne in August 2025.

Golan’s journey to founding Prompt Security began with research on transformer architectures, predating the rise of large language models. His early experience in building AI-powered security features using GPT-2 and GPT-3 revealed the vulnerabilities in LLM-driven applications, prompting him to establish Prompt Security in 2023. The company quickly gained recognition, raised significant funding, and saw a successful exit within two years.

The conversation with Golan comes at a crucial time, with enterprises facing increasing costs due to shadow AI breaches. Despite the risks, many organizations lack basic AI access controls, leading to a surge in unauthorized AI app usage. Prompt Security’s innovative approach to AI security has resonated with customers, positioning the company as a leader in the space.

As the interview unfolds, Golan delves into Prompt Security’s comprehensive platform, addressing a wide range of GenAI security challenges including data leakage, model governance, compliance, and red teaming. The company’s focus on enabling safe AI usage, rather than restrictive measures, has garnered praise from customers and accelerated adoption.

Golan reflects on the strategic decisions that fueled Prompt Security’s growth, emphasizing the importance of building a category rather than a feature, embracing enterprise complexity early on, and cultivating deep relationships with key customers. These choices paved the way for Prompt Security to emerge as a market leader in GenAI security.

The interview also sheds light on the evolving landscape of GenAI security, with enterprises grappling to secure AI deployments amidst a rapidly expanding threat landscape. Golan’s insights underscore the need for proactive security measures to safeguard against emerging risks in the AI space.

Post-acquisition, Prompt Security’s integration with SentinelOne’s platform marks a new chapter in the company’s journey. By extending AI security capabilities across the Singularity Platform, Prompt Security aims to enhance protection for AI applications and bolster defenses against evolving cyber threats.

As the GenAI security market continues to evolve, acquisitions and partnerships are shaping the future of AI security. Companies like Prompt Security are at the forefront of innovation, driving the adoption of secure AI practices and safeguarding enterprises against emerging threats.