Cylus appoints Yagi Makoto as strategic advisor

March 11, 2024

Rail tech cybersecurity firm Cylus announced the company’s appointment of Yagi Makoto as a new strategic advisor. With over three decades of experience in the rail sector, Makoto brings expertise to significantly enhance Cylus’ mission to strengthen the rail industry against evolving cyber threats.

Yagi Makoto joins a prestigious board of advisors that includes former and current Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of notable rail operators such as Amtrak, BNSF, CSX, and SMRT Corporation Ltd.

Makoto will provide strategic guidance to Cylus as the company continues to innovate and develop the world’s leading rail-specific cybersecurity solution designed to protect the rail industry’s unique operational rail technology environments. His deep understanding of both the technological landscape and the operational intricacies of railways will be instrumental in shaping Cylus’ future direction and ensuring its solution meets the highest standards of effectiveness and reliability.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yagi Makoto to the Cylus team,” said Amir Levintal, CEO and co-founder of Cylus, in a media statement. “His extensive experience makes him an incredible addition to our advisory board. With Makoto’s guidance, we are confident that we will further strengthen our position as the leading cybersecurity solution for the global rail industry.”

Makoto’s career spans various roles within the rail sector, including over three decades as the General Manager of Nippon Signal. Having initiated CBTC system development in 1995 for Nippon Signal, Makoto’s contributions have significantly shaped the landscape of rail technology. His deep industry knowledge, combined with an understanding of emerging threats and vulnerabilities, uniquely positions him to help Cylus anticipate and address the evolving cybersecurity needs of railways worldwide.

“I am honored to join Cylus as an Advisor,” said Makoto. “As the rail industry continues to face challenges in securing its digital infrastructure, I believe Cylus is uniquely positioned to address these challenges head-on. I look forward to working closely with the team to continue to drive innovation and deliver a solution that protects the future of rail transportation.”

With Makoto’s appointment, Cylus reaffirms its commitment to providing a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity for the rail industry. With customers worldwide, including North America, Europe, India, Australia, and Israel, Cylus protects all operational rail technology environments, ensuring continuous rail operations and passenger safety.

Earlier this month, Cylus announced that Isabel Pardo de Vera Posada, esteemed former Secretary of State for Transportation in Spain and President of Adif, has been appointed a role as an Advisory Board member at the company. The collaboration aims to harness Pardo de Vera Posada’s wealth of experience to support Cylus’ international presence and enhance its cybersecurity initiatives within the rail industry.