Latest news with #Zanger
Techday NZ
22-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Jonathan Zanger named CTO to advance AI at Check Point
Jonathan Zanger has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer at Check Point Software Technologies and will lead the company's global cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. Zanger steps into the CTO role with over 15 years of experience focused on developing and scaling cyber security and AI-based platforms. Prior to assuming this position, he served as CTO at Trigo, a company specialising in advanced AI and computer vision systems for autonomous retail. His academic background includes advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In his new role, Zanger will be responsible for shaping the evolution of Check Point's AI strategy. One of his main tasks will be embedding automation and machine learning across the Check Point Infinity Platform to support the company's prevention-first approach to cyber security. The objective is to enable more effective protection against the evolving landscape of cyber threats affecting enterprises operating in increasingly digital and hybrid environments. The company's recognition as a leader in the Forrester Wave: Zero Trust Platform, Q3 2025 report, highlighted its ongoing efforts in AI. The report specifically noted Check Point's "plan to deliver AI-driven capabilities to automate network security functions." Additionally, Miercom has validated Check Point as one of the top-performing AI-powered security platforms in the sector, reflecting its achievements in automation and intelligent security management. "AI is fundamentally reshaping both how cyber threats emerge and how we defend against them," said Nadav Zafrir, CEO at Check Point Software Technologies. "Jonathan's deep technical expertise and leadership in cyber security and applied AI, will accelerate our mission to deliver prevention-first security for a hyperconnected world. His appointment reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of cyber defence through bold innovation." With AI's growing role in both advancing and combating cyber attacks, Check Point's new leadership aims to implement machine learning and automation from network gateways to the cloud. The expansion of the company's AI capabilities will be guided by Zanger's technical and strategic expertise in the field. "I'm thrilled to join Check Point at such a pivotal moment," said Jonathan Zanger, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point. "Cyber security must evolve faster than the threats it's designed to stop. By embedding AI across every layer of our architecture, from gateways to the cloud, we're not just keeping pace, we're setting the pace." The appointment of Zanger comes as Check Point continues to expand its investment in AI and reinforce its talent pool in cyber defence. The company's approach involves a unified strategy that integrates various environments - on-premises, hybrid, and cloud - under one management framework, while focusing on automation and continuous monitoring. Check Point's Infinity Platform and ecosystem aim to support enterprise and service provider clients as digital transformation accelerates. Through its prevention-first ethos and open garden ecosystem, Check Point seeks to address the demands of hybrid mesh network architecture, security efficacy, and operational scalability across diverse IT environments. Zanger's focus will now be on aligning Check Point's future AI strategy with industry demands for intelligent and unified security solutions. His leadership is expected to further the company's objectives as it bolsters its approach to prevention-first cyber security through AI integration. Follow us on: Share on:
Techday NZ
21-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Check Point appoints Jonathan Zanger to lead global AI strategy
Check Point Software has appointed Jonathan Zanger as Chief Technology Officer with a remit to advance its global AI strategy and cyber security innovation. The company stated that Zanger will oversee Check Point's cyber security and AI strategy as well as its AI centres worldwide, shaping the direction of its efforts in automation and machine learning across the organisation's platforms. Leadership experience Jonathan Zanger joins the company with more than 15 years of experience in developing and scaling cyber security and AI-based platforms. His previous position was as Chief Technology Officer at Trigo, where he led projects focused on advanced AI and computer vision systems for use in autonomous retail environments. Zanger also holds advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, in addition to an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "AI is fundamentally reshaping both how cyber threats emerge and how we defend against them. Jonathan's deep technical expertise and leadership in cyber security and applied AI, will accelerate our mission to deliver prevention-first security for a hyperconnected world. His appointment reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of cyber defense through bold innovation," said Nadav Zafrir, CEO at Check Point Software Technologies. Focus on AI and prevention-first security As Chief Technology Officer, Zanger's key responsibility will be directing the evolution of the company's AI initiatives, integrating advanced automation and machine learning throughout its Infinity Platform. Check Point said this approach is intended to enhance its prevention-first model for cyber security. According to Check Point, recent developments have reinforced its direction, including its recognition as a Leader in the Forrester Wave: Zero Trust Platform, Q3 2025 report. The report specifically cited the company's "plan to deliver AI-driven capabilities to automate network security functions." The company was also validated by Miercom as one of the top-performing AI-powered security platforms in the industry. Both distinctions have, according to the company, supported its strategy to provide integrated and intelligent cyber security solutions suitable for hybrid IT ecosystems. "I'm thrilled to join Check Point at such a pivotal moment. Cyber security must evolve faster than the threats it's designed to stop. By embedding AI across every layer of our architecture, from gateways to the cloud, we're not just keeping pace, we're setting the pace," said Jonathan Zanger, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point. Supporting digital transformation Zanger's appointment coincides with ongoing moves by Check Point to build out its capabilities in AI and cyber security, including investments in talent and technology. The company says it maintains a prevention-first approach and an open garden ecosystem as part of its strategy to offer cyber security to enterprises engaged in digital transformation. Check Point believes these actions position it to provide businesses with the tools needed for resilience and confidence in complex IT environments, emphasising the growing significance of AI-driven technologies in both detecting and responding to cyber threats. Follow us on: Share on:
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A ‘time of fear' for international students amid chaotic federal actions
University of Iowa and Iowa State University students protested at the April 23, 2025 Iowa Board of Regents meeting, asking for support and protection for international students. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Kate Zanger has worked in higher education for 49 years, more than half of that time at Clarke University in Dubuque. The vice president for student life is set to retire at the end of the spring semester. In her career working at universities in Washington, D.C., and New York, Zanger said she has never seen actions taken against international students like the mass changes to Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) statuses and visa revocations that swept across the U.S. This is a 'time of fear' for international students, said Zanger, the principal designated school official at Clarke working with the Student and Exchange Visitor program. While many students' statuses have been restored at this point, officials working with impacted students say there will be social and economic consequences down the road. 'For U.S. citizens, this time is kind of frightening, because of everything that you hear that's going on with the government,' Zanger said. 'Imagine being an international student trying to figure this out.' Of the 40 Iowa public universities, community colleges and private institutions contacted by the Iowa Capital Dispatch and the 28 that responded, 13 acknowledged having some number of university students or recent graduates with changed SEVIS statuses. The only state university to provide specific numbers of international students was the University of Northern Iowa, reporting two students with terminated — and reinstated — SEVIS statuses. Representatives from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University both stated there were students at their institutions who have seen their status change, but declined to say how many students and how many have been reinstated. At least four UI students have been impacted by student status revocations, and are suing the Department of Homeland Security for the actions taken against them. According to reporting by the Iowa State Daily, at least two ISU students have seen their visas revoked. Other colleges confirming impacted international students include Coe College, Clarke University, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Mount Mercy University, Luther College, Graceland University, Des Moines Area Community College, Southeastern Community College and St. Ambrose University. All respondents saw either one or two student statuses change, and all but two students across all of the institutions have seen their statuses restored. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some students have also seen their visas revoked with much more aggressive language than in the past, said Karen Edwards, Grinnell College dean for International Student Affairs and principal designated school official. Grinnell College refused to give specific numbers of impacted students, however, Edwards said around 20% of the student body, or around 340 students, are international, and some have seen both their SEVIS status change and their visa canceled. While Edwards said F1 student visa revocation as a result of criminal activity is nothing new, and because these visa holders have 'duration of status benefits,' they are not required to immediately leave the country if their visa is revoked, but they will have to reapply for a visa if they do travel abroad. In the past when students were notified of their visa revocation, Edwards said information would be included explaining all of this. Now, language on these notices is 'harsher,' she said, warning the holder that they are subject to detention or deportation to a country not their own. Edwards said the termination of SEVIS records is incredibly troublesome, as it is the record giving international students lawful status to study and complete other requirements and enabling information access and sharing for universities when needed. 'When a SEVIS record is terminated, for example, someone who's here can't record their address update, or can't reduce their course load in their final semester, or can't submit other applications, a transfer to a new program or graduate level,' Edwards said. 'So it really does immediately mean they can't function as a lawful F1 student here.' Even alumni who have continued to stay in the U.S. lawfully under their visa and SEVIS status have been impacted, Edwards said. Moving away from campus. Trying to find legal representation. Missing a commencement ceremony and having to figure out how to retrieve an earned degree. These are some of the hardships endured by international students with terminated SEVIS statuses and revoked visas, according to university officials. At St. Ambrose University in Davenport, two students saw a change in their SEVIS status and chose to leave the campus. Ricki Grover, international student advisor and study abroad coordinator, said in an email the university provided financial support to the students through its student emergency fund, helped them connect with legal resources and ensured they'd be able to complete their coursework over the summer. While these statuses have now been reinstated, Grover said the students have not returned to campus. Some universities have legal experts on hand to help impacted international students, Zanger said, but smaller colleges like Clarke don't. She said she reached out to larger institutions to see if an attorney would be available to represent the one Clarke student who saw their status terminated, but no one had the time. It can be difficult to find an immigration lawyer who has the expertise to work with students, she said. Students have told her they're choosing to stay in the U.S. for the summer out of fear that they won't be let back in to finish their studies, and Zanger said she's recommended all international students carry with them the correct documents when traveling. Others have said if they can't reenter the country, then they don't really want to be here anyway. 'We try to assure them that we want you here at Clarke, we want you to graduate from Clarke, you bring a lot to our campus community,' Zanger said. The one student at Graceland University in Lamoni who saw their visa revoked was supposed to walk in the university's commencement ceremony on April 27, but couldn't, despite their visa being reinstated that weekend. Graceland spokesperson Shane Adams said in an email the university will work with the student to ensure they still receive their degree. 'We were disappointed that the student was not able to walk with their classmates on Sunday,' Adams said in his email. International student enrollment in U.S. universities has been increasing over the past few years, with the 2024 Open Doors Report citing an increase of more than 25,000 students between the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years. The U.S. has traditionally been viewed as a welcoming and supportive space for students, which Edwards said has made the country a higher education destination for those wishing to study abroad. She worries about how actions taken against international students will impact what she called the country's fifth-largest export — higher education. 'I think right now, given the climate in the U.S. … if I was coming from another country, I might think twice about studying in the U.S.,' Zanger said, 'which is very sad, because our international students bring a lot to each of the campuses they are part of.' According to data from nonprofit NAFSA: Association of International Educators, in the 2023-2024 academic year alone, international students supported more than 378,000 jobs and contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy. International students in Iowa have contributed nearly $272 million to the state economy and close to 1,900 jobs. Beyond any economic impact these actions could have, Edwards said the diplomacy, goodwill and innovations that come with international students and the global perspectives and connections they bring will most likely be damaged. 'If we are less viewed as an education destination, that really places our whole way of thinking and learning at risk and it turns us into an isolationist space, as opposed to a global space with thinkers from all over the world,' Edwards said. 'That's what drew me to the field. That's what makes me passionate about what I do and I see it at work here, because students from all over the world sit in the same classroom, (and) whether they're talking about English literature or whether they're doing a science project, it just brings a new voice to the table that helps everybody.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
