Securing Everything from 40-Year-Old C++ to GenAI Code with Varun Badhwar, CEO of Endor Labs

In this episode of Modern CTO, Joel Beasley interviews Varun Badhwar, CEO of Endor Labs, about solving the developer productivity tax by enhancing code security. Varun discusses the origins of Endor Labs, stemming from the SolarWinds incident and the realization that most code is assembled from open-source libraries with unvetted code. He explains how Endor Labs differs from traditional code scanning tools by focusing on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in actively used code, providing solutions, and integrating seamlessly into developer workflows. The conversation also covers the increasing threat of malicious code in open-source ecosystems and the role of AI coding agents in generating insecure code, highlighting Endor Labs' approach to providing real-time feedback and secure-by-default strategies. Varun shares leadership insights on building a transparent culture and avoiding the pitfalls of homogenous hiring practices, as well as balancing startup life with family.