#381 Combatting Digital Identity Threats: Insights from NameTag’s CEO Aaron Painter

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we’re joined by Aaron Painter, CEO and Founder of NameTag. Aaron shares his journey from working at Microsoft for 14 years to founding NameTag, a company dedicated to securing digital identities. He discusses the growing threats of identity theft and social engineering, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a surge in online account takeovers.

Aaron explains how NameTag is addressing these challenges by creating technology that verifies human identity with high fidelity and integrates it into existing identity solutions. He emphasizes the importance of rethinking traditional methods of identity verification, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), which often fail when it comes to preventing social engineering attacks. Aaron shares insights into the vulnerabilities that even large enterprises like MGM have faced, highlighting the need for more robust and user-friendly security measures.

The conversation also delves into the potential dangers posed by deepfake technology and how NameTag is working to counter these threats. Aaron offers a behind-the-scenes look at how NameTag’s solutions are being implemented to enhance security while maintaining user convenience. He also touches on the importance of listening and cultural understanding in leadership, drawing from his extensive international experience.

Aaron’s background in large corporations like Microsoft has shaped his approach to building enterprise-ready solutions that cater to the complex needs of large organizations. He provides valuable advice for CTOs, CISOs, and other tech leaders on how to protect their companies from the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

About Aaron:

Aaron Painter is a deepfake expert and the CEO of Nametag Inc., an identity verification company that is at the forefront of stopping social engineering attacks at the employee IT helpdesk. With a mission to bring authenticity to the internet and build more trusted relationships, Nametag is revolutionizing online account protection through innovative technology solutions.

Having lived and worked in six countries across four continents, Aaron exemplifies a new generation of global leaders. Aaron is a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts, a member of Forbes Business Council, and a senior External Advisor to Bain & Company. He was also named the AWS 2019 Consulting Partner of the Year for his work at Cloudreach. A frequent media commentator, Aaron has appeared on Bloomberg and Cheddar News, and is also an active speaker, advisor, and investor to companies that are pursuing business transformation.

https://www.getnametag.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronpainter/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:04 Aaron Painter's Background and Career Journey

02:01 The Birth of NameTag

02:30 Challenges in Identity Verification

04:46 Technological Solutions and Innovations

07:33 Real-World Examples of Security Breaches

09:51 Addressing Social Engineering Attacks

20:02 The Future of Authentication and Passwordless Solutions

30:21 Impact of International Experience on Leadership

35:26 Conclusion and Contact Information