{"id":"hartej-sawhney","version":1,"language":"en","title":"Hartej Sawhney","hidden":false,"content":"**Hartej Sawhney** is the founder and CEO of [Zokyo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zokyo), a cybersecurity company specializing in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m65i4rtz91c) $$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](9TjJprJvChI)$$  \n  \n# Education  \n  \nSawhney graduated from Penn State University in 2019. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m65i4rtz91c)  \n  \n# Career  \n  \nSawhney worked as a project manager for Pixatel Systems Inc., a social enterprise working to improve education in developing countries, from April to October 2011. In January 2012, he co-founded Zuldi, a tech company developing Point-of-Sale optimizations for merchants. During this time, he became an alumnus of Start-Up Chile, a business accelerator program created by the Chilean Government, and worked as an advisor for Stork Stack. He also became an alumnus of Tech Wildcatters, a venture capital fund focusing on Seed to Series A+ stage technology and tech-enabled companies. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m65i4rtz91c)  \n  \nIn July 2016, Sawhney co-founded Hosho, a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) cybersecurity company that produced HoshoCon, the first [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) security conference, where he worked until November 2018. He then went on to found [Zokyo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zokyo), where he serves as CEO. From January 2021 onwards, he has been a seed investor for various companies, including [LayerZero Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layerzero), Pocket Network Inc., [Alethea AI](https://iq.wiki/wiki/alethea-ai), and Synthr. Sawhney became board chairman at Mamoru, an enterprise-grade security solution using machine learning to protect [blockchains](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) from threats and anomalies proactively. In April 2023, he became a mentor for Techstars [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3), a start-up accelerator for [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) entrepreneurs and projects building in the decentralized internet. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m65i4rtz91c) $$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](g9DFIy2Bn4w)$$  \n  \n# Interviews/Panels  \n  \n## Blockchain Cybersecurity  \n  \nAt HoshoCon 2018, Sawhney discussed the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity within the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) industry, highlighting the frequent theft of large sums from exchanges and the loss of funds in [ICOs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/initial-coin-offering) due to security breaches. He emphasized that many blockchain companies lack adequate security measures, such as regular penetration tests and dedicated security officers, which leaves them vulnerable to attacks like phishing. Sawhney also pointed out the regulatory advancements in smaller nations and expressed hope for more comprehensive regulations from larger countries. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-3yzdc5f0zv2) $$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](wzt2FCbpsHw)$$  \n  \n## Zokyo's Focus  \n  \nIn November 2019, Sawhney discussed [Zokyo's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zokyo) dual focus on [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) security and software development, highlighting their work in [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) auditing and cybersecurity services, including penetration testing and red teaming. He emphasized the lack of regulatory standards in the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry and the necessity for creating [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-specific cybersecurity protocols. Sawhney also touched on the competitive yet cooperative nature of the cybersecurity field, the reliance on manual testing for identifying critical vulnerabilities in [smart contracts](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) despite the rise of automation, and his strategic decision to leverage talent from Ukraine and India. Looking ahead, he anticipated industry maturation as more capital flowed into [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) projects and their products reached consumers. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-4lzu0zalkks) $$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](ZwPBOQ4a4HY)$$  \n  \n## Launching an ICO  \n  \nAt the Malta AI & Blockchain Summit in 2019, Sawhney discussed the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for companies launching [Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/initial-coin-offering). He highlighted common pitfalls such as inadequate in-house security practices and reliance on CTOs for security responsibilities, which are insufficient. Sawhney stressed the need for dedicated cybersecurity officers or consultants and shared an example of a major breach caused by a phishing scam, underscoring the human vulnerability in cybersecurity. He also advocated for regular security audits, [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) evaluations, and proactive engagement with cybersecurity firms to protect against attacks, emphasizing the necessity of regulatory clarity in the industry. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-xc9v5stecs) $$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](52ndMwDC84k)$$","summary":"Hartej Sawhney is the CEO of Zokyo, specializing in blockchain cybersecurity, and an alumnus of Penn State University and various startup accelerator programs.","categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"promoted":0,"tags":[{"id":"Founders"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"m65i4rtz91c\",\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartej/\",\"description\":\"Hartej Sawhney | LinkedIn\",\"timestamp\":1718932490717},{\"id\":\"3yzdc5f0zv2\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzt2FCbpsHw&pp=ygUOaGFydGVqIHNhd2huZXk%3D\",\"description\":\"Hartej Sawhney, Hosho | HoshoCon 2018\",\"timestamp\":1718933002327},{\"id\":\"4lzu0zalkks\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwPBOQ4a4HY&t=208s&pp=ygUOaGFydGVqIHNhd2huZXk%3D\",\"description\":\"Interview with Sawhney | YouTube\",\"timestamp\":1718933055445},{\"id\":\"xc9v5stecs\",\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ndMwDC84k&pp=ygUOaGFydGVqIHNhd2huZXk%3D\",\"description\":\"Launching an ICO | YouTube\",\"timestamp\":1718933092403}]"},{"id":"instagram_profile","value":"https://www.instagram.com/hartejsawhney/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://twitter.com/hartej_?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartej/"}],"user":{"id":"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2"},"author":{"id":""},"media":[{"name":"9TjJprJvChI","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TjJprJvChI","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"g9DFIy2Bn4w","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9DFIy2Bn4w","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"wzt2FCbpsHw","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzt2FCbpsHw","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"ZwPBOQ4a4HY","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwPBOQ4a4HY","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"52ndMwDC84k","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ndMwDC84k","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"views":0,"events":[],"linkedWikis":{"founders":[],"blockchains":[],"speakers":[]},"images":[{"id":"QmTdwyCufBXow3GB7zTLBF8VMbNRw51bUjPyR4e5kXnzbS","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}]}