CISO Series Podcast
David Spark, Mike Johnson, and Andy Ellis
Discussions, tips, and debates from security practitioners and vendors on how to work better together to improve security for themselves and everyone else.
Every Failed Startup Starts as a Dream for a Single Pane of Glass
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Shaun Marion, vp, CSO, Xcel Energy. In this episode: Setting policy The hard thing about soft skills Never let a good crisis go to waste Avoiding the tarpit Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Noma Security! Secure your entire Data & AI Lifecycle—from development to production and class
Fix it? Let’s Just Get Rid of It.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Danny Jenkins, CEO, ThreatLocker. In this episode: A zero-day upgrade Don’t let a pentest go bad Improving user training Cybersecurity is made for people Thanks to our podcast sponsor, ThreatLocker! ThreatLocker® is a global leader in Zero Trust endpoint securi
Zero Trust Purple Team DevSecOps Mesh: A CASB Journey Through the Identity Fabric
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Matt Muller, field CISO, Tines. In this episode: Seeking the early AI adopters Taking the SOC back to basics Changing our automation expectations Communicate risk Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Tines! Build, run, and monitor your most important workflows with Tines. Tines' smart, secure wor
Our Developers’ New Motto is “LLM Take the Wheel”
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Deneen DeFiore, Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, United Airlines. In this episode: Minding the gap Copilot overreliance Opening up the field Navigating the SMB cyber insurance conundrum Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta! Say goodbye to spreadsheets and screens
As Long as We Keep Moving the Goalposts, We Have a Great Security Culture (LIVE in Dallas, TX)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Rinki Sethi, vp and CISO, BILL. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Lamont Orange, CISO, Cyera. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Cyera’s first DataSec c
4th Party Data Breach? We Can Barely Catch the 1st Party Ones!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is George Finney, CISO, The University of Texas System and author of
I Support Open Source as Long as I Don't Have to Invest in It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is our guest, Brett Perry, CISO, Dot Foods. In this episode: A new MDR policy Staying on top of the technical debt cycle Beating retention struggles In the gully of SOAR Thanks to our
Ewww! How Long Has This Router Been in the Fridge?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Yabing Wang, VP and CISO, Justworks. In this episode: Building a path to action Cracking the EOL conundrum The burning platform question Uncertainty is our only constant
Why Bother Helping Users When We Can Complain About Them?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest Daniel Daraban, senior director of product management, Bitdefender. In this episode: Practice makes perfect Shaming doesn’t help anyone Cybersecurity is a flat circle Building the bridge Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Bitdefender! Enterprise-grade cybersecurity without complexit
Can’t Our Employees Just Go Back to Stealing Pens?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Itzik Alvas, co-founder and CEO, Entro. In this episode: What to expect when you’re offboarding The threats are coming from inside the organization The risk of stale identities
We Take Software Security Seriously, As Long As It Ships on Time
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest Jeremy Epling, chief product officer, Vanta. In this episode: What is the future of cybersecurity? Designing the outcomes we want
Aww, Your Cybersecurity Concerns Are So Adorable (LIVE in La Jolla)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Gary Hayslip, CISO, Softbank Investment Advisors. Joining us is Keith McCartney, VP, Security and IT, DNAnexus. In this episode: Closing the Credibility Gap Clarifying the Role of Security Engineering Building Resilience at Scale AI Frameworks and Cybersecurity
Once You Show Me Your Diploma, I’ll Explain Why We Don’t Gatekeep
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Jimmy Benoit, vp, cybersecurity, PBS. In this episode: Starting early on security awareness The limits of gamification Technically qualified Understanding your risk toler
Wait, We Can Prioritize Data Privacy Before an Incident? (LIVE at Stanford University)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Amy-Steagall-Hess, CISO, Stanford University. Joining us is Michael Tran Duff, CISO, data privacy officer, Harvard University. In this episode: Turning a mirror on zero trust Is AI coming for our jobs? Responding to skepticism about CISOs A CISO at the crossroads Tha
Luckily, We Haven’t Had to Adapt to Any New Technologies Before AI
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our sponsored guest Jadee Hanson, CISO, Vanta. In this episode: Embracing BYOAI The changing government contractor landscape Creating better security outcomes
We Need to Hire a Unicorn But We Only Have Budget for a Donkey
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Jason Shockey, CISO, Cenlar FSB. In this episode: Ground the SOC in communication Training and mentoring talent Nailing a first security hire A case for optimism Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Bitdefender! Enterprise-grade cybersecurity without complexity. Backed by extensive resear
Who Knows What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Low Code/No Code? (LIVE in Los Angeles)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Sasha Pereira, CISO, WASH. Joining us is Cyrus Tibbs, CISO, PennyMac. This episode was recorded live at ISSA-LA. In this episode: Building the foundation for data minimization No-code needs to be no problem Seeking alignment in a SOC career MFA is not a cybersecurity panacea Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Nudge Security! Get a full invento
Once the Panic Subsides You’ll Appreciate This Phishing Test (LIVE in Houston, TX)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Jerich Beason, CISO, WM. Joining us is Teresa Tonthat, vp, associate CIO, Texas Children's Hospital. This episode was recorded live at HOU.SEC.CON. In this episode: Connecting with the business Keep the users in mind Ground security in reality Teach, don’t shame Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vorlon Security! Vorlon helps organizations t
Does Burying Your Head in the Sand Count as a Security Posture? (LIVE in Boca Raton, FL)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Eduardo Ortiz, vp, global head of cybersecurity, Techtronic Industries. Joining us is Adam Fletcher, CSO, Blackstone. In this episode: Keeping our eyes on new risks The hiring disconnect Mental health in incident response Moving on from CrowdStrike Thanks to our podcast sponsors, Fortra, Quadrant Information Security, and Savvy Security! Fo
We’re Lowering the Requirement for Entry Level to Just 8 Years of Experience
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Steve Person, CISO, Cambia Health. In this episode: The changing CISO landscape Rethinking the cybersecurity talent shortage Sharpening your CISO skills Do CISOs need to go back to school? Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta! Whether you’re starting or scaling your security program
… And the Business Listened to the CISO and Everyone Lived Happily Ever After
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is Stephen Harrison, CISO, MGM Resorts International. In this episode: Understanding the AI attack surface Low code, low security? Chief information storytelling officer Finding the right partners Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vectra AI! Vectra AI is the only extended detection and response (XDR) with
Our Guardrails Only Fail When You Try To Go Around Them (LIVE in Seattle)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience in Seattle as part of the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s event Convene. Recording is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Nicole Ford, SVP and CISO, Nordstrom. Joining us is guest, Varsha Agrawal, head of information security, Prosper Marketplace. In this episode: Who guards the AI guardrails? What should security awareness training look
Our Cybersecurity Journey Starts With a Single Overworked Staffer
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Kush Sharma, Director Municipal Modernization & Partnerships, Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (MISA Ontario). In this episode: Your first security hire Moving beyond the basics with critical infrastructure Untangling the Gordian Knot of municipal cybersecu
Red Flag? My Vendor Just Asked for My Mother’s Maiden Name
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Bethany De Lude, CISO, the Carlyle Group. In this episode: CISOs as storytellers Grinding a CISO’s gears An evolving role Earning trust with vendors Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Scrut Automation! Scrut Automation allows compliance and risk teams of any size to establish
Well, I Think My Relationship With the CIO Improved When I Took Their Job
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Ty Sbano, CISO, Vercel. In this episode: Perception is the reality for insider threats Coaching rather than shaming Working to make DevOps redundant Fixing a strained relationship Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Backslash! Backslash Security is your modern AppSec solution,
I Said I Was Technically a CISO, Not a Technical CISO
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Fredrick Lee (Flee), CISO, Reddit. In this episode: The case for the technical CISO Making Recall safe for business The aches and pains of cybersecurity hiring Leveling up municipal cybersecurity Thanks to our podcast sponsor, ThreatLocker! ThreatLocker® is a global leade
Why Are Fortune 500 Companies Swiping Right on 3-Person Startups?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Justin Somaini, partner, YL Ventures. In this episode: The startup balancing act Giving back is its own reward When to pen test Getting ahead with generative AI policy Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta! Whether you’re starting or scaling your security program, Va
We Make Threat Actors Read Our Resiliency Policy Before Attacking Us
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is Patti Titus, CISO, Booking Holdings. In this episode: Defense vs. Resilience Communication is on par with mitigation Preparing like its post-quantum The challenges and opportunities of diversity Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Cyera! Cyera’s AI-powered data security platfor
Incident Response Is So Important We Might Try Getting Good At It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Amir Khayat, CEO and co-founder, Vorlon Security. In this episode: The evolving challenges of incident response Repetition isn’t always the mother of automation Third-party APIs, first-party risk You know what they say when you assume something Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vorlon Security!
Everyone Has a Zero-Trust Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Danny Jenkins, CEO, ThreatLocker. In this episode: The limits of zero-trust Pentesting for SMBs An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of response The cream of the security crop Thanks to our podcast sponsor, ThreatLocker! ThreatLocker® is a global leader in Zero Trust endpoint
I Don’t Want Insider Risk, You Take It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Abhishek Agrawal, CEO and co-founder, Material Security. In this episode: What does defense in depth look like in the cloud? Collaborating on insider risk Email is a vector and a target Understand risk during an IPO Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Materi
How to Get the Most for Yourself Through Altruism
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is Jana Moore, CISO, Belron. In this episode: SEC disclosure rules require cyber readiness Breaking up the “boys club” Building a threat intelligence ecosystem Blending InfoSec communities and careers Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta! Whether you’re starting or scaling your security program, Vanta help
Who Owns AI Risk? NOT IT!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Jason Clark, chief strategy officer, Cyera. In this episode: Does AI require new security measures? Meeting the new SEC requirements Empowerment through data security Upskilling with Gen AI? Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Cyera! Cyera’s AI-powered data security platform gives c
How About This? Only Attack the Endpoints We Configured
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our guest and winner of Season 2 of Capture the CISO, Russell Spitler, CEO and co-founder, Nudge Security. In this episode: The Gordian knot of EDR Can we keep up with patching? Making AI practical Standardization or granularity? Thanks to our podcast sponsor, ThreatLocker!
The Post-it Note Clearly Says “Don’t Share” Right Under My Password
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Allan Alford, CISO, Eclypsium. In this episode: Evolving public-private partnerships New technology, but not a new challenge Securing the hidden layers of the supply chain Balancing usability and control Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Eclypsium Eclypsium is helping enterprises a
Who You Gonna Call? LEGAL COUNSEL!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our guest, Ryan Bachman, evp and global CISO, GM Financial. In this episode: A changing of the executive guard? Playing nice with cyber insurance What does leadership want out of a CISO? Who does a CISO call first? Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Vanta Whether you’re
I’m Rewarding Your Successful Use of the Security Budget by Giving You Less of It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is my guest, Aamir Niazi, executive director and CISO, SMBC Capital Markets. In this episode: Communicating security accomplishments Spotting red flags in an interview What does offensive security look like today? Where Gen AI is fitting into cybersecurity Thanks to our
Ransomware? Why’d It Have to be Ransomware? (Live at B-Sides San Diego)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is Steve Zalewski, co-host, Defense in Depth. Recorded live at BSidesSF. In this episode: Are companies taking the air out of the open source balloon? What’s broken about cybersecurity hiring? Do we need minimum requirements for cybersecurity knowledge in sales? Thanks to our podcast sponsors, Dev
You Can’t Leak What You Don’t Collect
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Jeremiah Roe, advisory CISO, OffSec. In this episode: What happens as data minimization in the US changes from a potential policy goal to a regulatory imperative? How does this impact the rest of the industry? How do CISOs start getting ready for co
Our Help Desk Plaque Reads “Over 100,000 Threat Actors Served”
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our guest, Martin Mazor, vp and CISO, onsemi. In this episode: Has the shine worn off the cybersecurity promise of MFA? Why are threat actors increasingly finding ways to get around it? Given the high profile attacks we've seen getting around MFA, how much security stoc
Can’t Talk, I’m Onboarding My Kids To Their First Soccer Practice (Live in Mountain View, CA)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our guest, TC Niedzialkowski, CISO, Nextdoor. In this episode: Has the line between work and personal devices blurred? Why are we seeing signs that that line no longer exists for employees? What is the path of cybersecurity to keep company data secured when its continually commingling with person
I Really Shouldn’t Have Agreed to Variable Rate Technical Debt
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our sponsored guest, Aaron Shaha, CISO, CyberMaxx. In this episode: Is technical debt an inevitability in any organization? How do you go about "paying it down?" How do you decide when you need a systematic refresh and when can you kick the can down the road a little longer? Thanks to our podca
We’ll Invest in Resilience as Soon as the Ransom Payment Clears
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is my guest, Thom Langford, CISO, Velonetic. In this episode: Why do lots of businesses pledge to never pay ransomware demands? And why do their priorities quickly change when they need to get the business back to normal after an attack occurs? What good is a pledge like t
We Could Lower Risk If We Shrunk Our Business
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our sponsored guest, Matt Radolec, senior director, incident response and cloud operations, Varonis. In this episode: Why is retaining cyber talent so hard? How can organizations keep an employee from going elsewhere? Why do organizations often not prioritize the factors to keep key employees?
Our Benefits Include Medical, Dental, and Burnout
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our guest, Joshua Brown, vp and global CISO, H&R Block. In this episode: Why is retaining cyber talent so hard? How can organizations keep an employee from going elsewhere? Why do organizations often not prioritize the factors to keep key employees? Thanks to our podc
Your Biggest Threats Don’t Get a Ransom Payment, They Get a Paycheck
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Alex Green, CISO, Delta Dental. In this episode: Is it true that employees cause as many significant cybersecurity incidents as outside threat actors? Does this come down to a lack of awareness or poorly designed security implementation? And what can we do to
A Stressed CISO Is a Happy CISO
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our guest, Shawn Bowen, svp and CISO, World Kinect Corporation. In this episode: Is it true that CISOs feel their jobs are harder than ever with higher levels of stress? Yet why does research also show that CISO job satisfaction increasing? How do we make sense of this
BREAKING: “Department of No” Upgraded to “Department of Slow”
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our sponsored guest, Nadav Lotan, product management team leader, Cisco. In this episode: How can security teams do their jobs without seeming like an impediment to developers? Why can this relationship seem oppositional? How can both sides work together to better secure software without seeming
A Threat Actor Just “Liked” My Dashboard Screenshot
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our guest, Jamil Farshchi, evp and CISO, Equifax. In this episode: Data leaks are hard enough to deal with when caused by threat actors, but how bad is a self-inflicted data leak? Why do these types of incidents happen? How should an organization assess the risk it introduced? Thanks to our pod
We Can’t Fail at API Security If We Never Even Try
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our sponsored guest, Yoav Nathaniel, co-founder and CEO, Silk Security. In this episode: Why does it seem like securing APIs is so hard? Is it just a matter of complexity? Why does it seem like we can’t go a week without hearing reports of a data leak caused by a failure
I’m Stuffed, I Just Couldn’t Take Another Credential
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our sponsored guest, Jay Trinckes, director of compliance, Thoropass. In this episode: Why do credential stuffing attacks put organizations in such a tricky spot? Why is blaming the victim rarely the right move? What kind of reasonable expectations can companies have ab
Is There a Konami Code For Cyber Talent?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our guest Kelly Haydu, vp, infosec, technology, and enterprise applications, CarGurus. In this episode: What other career fields are rife with talent that could successfully transition into our industry? What kind of framework do we need to surface a more diverse array of talent? Also, what happe
It’s Like a Trust Fall, But We Know You’ll Hit the Floor
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Grant Anthony, CISO, Orion Health. In this episode: Why getting buy-in to your security awareness program is so critical? Why do so many organizations get it so wrong? What framework can we apply to actually build trust with security awareness? Thanks to ou
How Can We Apply Our Shadow IT Failings to Botch Our AI Policy? (LIVE in Clearwater)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Brett Conlon, CISO, American Century Investments. Joining me is our guest, Mical Solomon, CISO, Port Authority of NY and NJ. In this episode: Does the hype around generative AI tools make it seem like these are a totally new technological challenge for cybersecurity? Are many of the challenges with securing them the same that we've seen fr
Maybe If You Worked Harder Your Burnout Wouldn’t Be Such a Liability
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our guest, Shyama Rose, CISO and head of IT, Affirm. In this episode: What is the impact of burnout to your security team directly? Does burnout directly play a role in how an organization can respond to security incidents.? All jobs involve dealing with stress, but what should we consider normal
For CISOs, It’s Less of a Golden Parachute and More a Pair of Brown Pants
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Trina Ford, CISO, iHeartMedia. In this episode: Why has the landscape for CISOs seemed particularly perilous in the past year? Does there seem to be more responsibilities with very real legal consequences attached to the role? There is a lot of guidance out
Elvis Is Alive and He’s Reusing Your Passwords
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Bob Schuetter, CISO, Ashland. In this episode: What should a company do when their name is in the press, but they didn't actually suffer a security incident? How much difference is there in responding to a fake data breach versus a real one? How would you han
SSO No You Didn't (LIVE in La Jolla, CA)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Billy Norwood, CISO, FFF Enterprises. Joining us is our guest, Joshua Barons, head of information security at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. In this episode: Wasn't single sign-on supposed to solve all of our security woes? So why are we still seeing everything from phishing to session hijacking with SSO? Is this just growing pains for
This Security Crisis Is the Perfect Time to Tell You I Was Right
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest this week, Mike Kelley, CISO, EW Scrips. In this episode: Why do a lot of security professionals feel unheard? Does this frustration lead to some turning into scolds during a security incident, quick to say "I told you so"? How do you manage these security pros wh
You’re Not Leaving This House Until You Cover Up That LLM
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Richard Ford, CTO, Praetorian. In this episode: Why do many CISOs think adopting new LLM-based tools will make breaches more likely? Why the rush to throw money at them? How do you go about building a security program that doesn't depend on individuals? Thanks to
We Got This Far Without Hiring a Prompt Engineer
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our guest, Suresh Vasudevan, CEO, Sysdig. In this episode: What will the employment landscape look like with Generative AI becoming the next big thing? Will we be hiring prompt engineers in a few years? Or will it become like putting "search engine proficiency" on your resume? Thanks to our podcast s
Ugh, Lawyers Take All the Fun Out of Surviving a Cyberattack (LIVE in Las Vegas)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and sponsored co-host Jason Sabin, CTO, DigiCert. Joining us is our guest, Alexandra Landegger, executive director of security, Collins Aerospace. In this episode: Are CISOs prepared for the legal surprises that can come in the aftermath of a cyberattack? What about the legal fallout that can occur afterward? How does a security team work with le
Dear Abby: Should I Sell to a CISO During a Cyberattack? (LIVE in Mountain View)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining me is our guest, Kurt Sauer, CISO, Docusign. We recorded in front of a live audience at Microsoft’s offices in Mountain View, CA as part of the ISSA-Silicon Valley chapter meeting. Check out all the photos from the event. In this episode: Is a high profile cyberattack the best time for salespeople to co
We’re Not Home. Please Leave Your Company’s Data After the Beep
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining me is our guest, Arvin Bansal, former CISO for Nissan Americas. In this episode: Why are so many companies unprepared for phone-based social engineering? Why do many orgs not give this attack surface the attention it deserves? Are we doing enough to support whistleblowers in cyber
Hey, Let’s Merge Our Technical Debt With Your Understaffed Security Team! (LIVE in Miami)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Adam Zoller, svp, CISO at Providence. Joining me is our guest Sam Jacques, vp of clinical engineering, McLaren Health Care. In this episode: When should cybersecurity be brought into the discussion when a merger is underway? Why is security always going to be an issue in a merger or acquisition? If we know it's so important, why does it alw
I Taught DeNiro Security Theater, I Can Teach You.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. In principle, we can generally all agree that security theater is a waste of time for security teams. But the reality is that these are things that look good, so it can be hard to justify to non-technical leadership why you’re eliminating something they see as secure. So how can we positively identify actual security theater practices and how do we communicate that to the rest of the organization? This week’s episode is hosted by
A CEO’s Guide To Ignoring Your Security Program (LIVE in Santa Monica)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Usually the buck stops with the CEO. But for a CISO, what do you do when a CEO wants to exempt themselves from your security program? Whether it's granting privileged network access or just ignoring protocols, it can put a CISO in a tough spot. So how do you deal with a leader that thinks they're above the controls you have in place? Is it enough to document your disagreement or is there anything else you can do in that position?
Security Awareness Lifecycle: Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. When it comes to security awareness, the advice generally doesn't change. There are a set of best practices that have proven to be effective. So we know what we want to tell people. Communicate it consistently. So how do we relay that information without sounding like a broken record? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Daniel K
Threats In SaaS Are Closer Than They Appear
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Organizations know that securing SaaS is vital. But polls consistently show they also know their current security isn’t cutting it. With security teams acting more as SaaS supervisors than app owners, how can we reduce the glaring gaps in our SaaS defenses? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our sponsored gues
We Can Name 50 CISOs. Let’s Give Them an Award!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. If you search online, you'll find no dearth of lists claiming to rank the top security leaders. The question is, how do these actually get created? Most of the time, these lists include CISOs from the biggest companies, or the ones with the best name recognition. But is that any kind of objective criteria? These lists generally serve the interest of boosting the credibility of the publisher, rather than being based on any kind of
C is for C-Suite, Except If You’re a CISO
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. CISOs are common among the Fortune 500. But it remains rare to see them listed in executive leadership. Given that every company says security is of prime importance, why aren’t CISOs named within the top company echelons? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and Allan Cockriel, CISO of Shell. Joining us is our special guest, Mary Rose Martinez, CISO, Marathon Petroleum. Thanks to o
Part Man. Part Machine. All CISO. (Live in D.C.)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. We’ve heard a lot of talk about the security risks with emerging AI technologies. A lot of these center around employees using large language models. But what about the potential benefits of this technology for cybersecurity? Could we eventually see a de facto AI CISO on the job? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Rob Duhart, deputy CISO, Walmart. Joining us is our special gues
Is This Just Bad Or “Call The Feds” Bad?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. In everyday life, it's often clear when to call in the authorities. Someone egging your house might not rise to the occasion, but a break-in gets a call to the cops. It's less clear when it comes to a cyberattack. What constitutes a significant attack and what are the regulatory requirements? Once you make the call, how do they help in your response? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Ser
Giving Slack Slack Will Lead Your Teams to Discord
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Even before the pandemic, we've been increasingly living in online collaboration apps. So why are organizations still making basic security mistakes with them? Is this a case of shadow IT or do these apps present unique challenges? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Rich Dandliker, chief strategist, Veza. Thanks to
Please Take Some Pens and Our Company Data On Your Way Out
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Every company deals with off-boarding employees. Yet it feels like many organizations make basic security mistakes in this process. Is it just a case of HR and IT being out of sync, or is this an inevitably leaky process? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Joining us is our special guest Lorna Koppel, CISO, Tufts University
If You Care About Security, Maybe This Guilt Tactic Will Work
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Security vendors want to engage with CISOs. Yet many choose tactics that seem blatantly insulting. It might seem obvious that asking a CISO if they care about security does nothing to ingratiate yourself, but we still have inboxes full of these types of messages. So what can a vendor do that will actually make a CISO want to respond to a message? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series
5 Years Required to Write a Better Job Description
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. We're seeing increasing recognition that cybersecurity jobs should focus on competency rather than years of experience. But how do you create job posts to encourage that? And how do applicants even show that on a resume? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us for the episode is our special guest TC Niedzialkowski, CISO, Nextdoor. Thanks to ou
When Do I Fix the Toilet Myself or Call the Plumber?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. For some security problems, it can be tough to know when to try to fix the problem yourself or turn to a vendor. Deciding this shouldn't start with talking to someone that wants to sell you something. But how do you determine when it's time to call in a vendor? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us for this episode is our special guest, Katie
Cyber Advice So Generic, You’ll Assume It Came from ChatGPT
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Shifting Left is so five years ago. Advice and best practices are great, but context is king. Is there a mixture of best practices AND doing what's right for your business that's actually practical? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us for the episode is our sponsored guest Gaurav Banga, CEO, Balbix. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Balbix Balbix is a cy
Vendors Are From Mars. Their Security Is From Venus.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. There are so many third party vendors we want to work with, but uggh, their security and privacy is so troublesome. Is it only the security department's job to vet these partners or should everyone have a responsibility of keeping tabs on third party security? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Our guest is Phil Beyer, former head of security, Ets
We're So Special Gartner Hasn't Even Thought Of Our Category Yet
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Do you know what security categories were created this year? I have no idea. Do you know which ones were deleted? I don't think any. Is category growth designed to make more money for the industry? Does it help customers build a better security strategy? It seems like a necessary evil that just confuses customers. The number of categories never decreases or replaces old categories. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Sp
Who’s in Charge of Stopping Stupid Ideas? (LIVE in Tel Aviv)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and guest co-host Jesse Whaley, CISO, Amtrak. Our guest was Paul Branley, CISO, TSB Bank. We recorded this episode in front of a live audience in Tel Aviv as part of Team8’s CISO Summit 2023. CISO Series is honored to have been invited to record our show at the event. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Team8 Team8 is a global venture group that b
Password Rules Make Us Feel More Secure
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Troy Hunt's new site, "Dumb Password Rules," demonstrates yet another slice of security theater. Rules designed to make the creator believe they're making the business more secure, but appear to do nothing more than create unnecessary roadblocks and confusion. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Our guest is Dave Hannigan (@davidhannigan), CISO, Nuban
Make Them a Passwordless Offer They Can’t Refuse (LIVE)
This week’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver as we kicked off the Rocky Mountain Information Security Conference (RMISC). See the blog post for this episode here. Joining me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, on stage was my guest co-host, Jay Wilson, CISO for Insurity. Our guest is Michelle Wilson, CISO, Movement Mortgage. HUGE thanks to our sponsor, Trend Micro The stakes are high for cybersecurity decision makers as t
After a Breach, Security and Privacy Are Very Important to Us
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Why does it seem that the only time we hear about a company’s concern about security and privacy is after they’re compromised. It is only at that moment they feel compelled to let us know that they’re taking this situation very seriously because as we’ve ll heard before “security and privacy are very important to us.” This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), op
Your Lips Say “No,” But I’m Not Listening
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. There is a long history of security professionals complaining about the insecurity of new technologies. When new technologies take off, they rarely have lots of great security built in. The populace never comes around and says, "Security is right. We should stop using this thing we love." The popular technology ALWAYS wins. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoand
Failure Is The Likely Option
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. When cybersecurity needs to cut budget, first move is to look where you have redundancy. That way you're not actually reducing the security effort. But after that, the CFO needs to know what are the most important areas of the business to protect. Where will they be willing to take on more risk? Because, with less security, the chances of failure increase. This show was recorded in front of a live audience in New Orleans as part
A Fireman? A Princess? How About a CISO?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. As children, we don't dream of becoming a CISO, but yet we still have them. What is it a security professional can learn or even show, to demonstrate that they're getting ready for the position of a CISO? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Paul Connelly, former CISO, HCA Healthcare. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Nightfall Nightfa
I’ve Got Plenty of Risk If You Want More
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. It seems anything that's added to a business, like a new app or a third party vendor, just adds more risk. Risk definitely piles up faster than CISOs can reduce it. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Kurt Sauer (@kurtsauer), CISO, DocuSign (when we recorded the show, Kurt was the vp of security for Workday). Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Stairwell T
What Kind of Challenges Do You Foresee In Firing Me?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. This show was recorded in front of a live audience in New York City! This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and a special guest host, Aaron Zollman, CISO & vp, platform engineering, Cedar. Our guest is Colin Ahern, chief cyber officer for the State of New York. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, OpenVPN, SlashNext & Votiro Take the cost and complexity out of secure networking with OpenVP
I Wouldn’t Trust Everything You Read… On My Resume
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Turns out cybersecurity professionals lie on their resumes. They add degrees and certifications they don't have. They omit degrees for fear of looking overqualified. And sometimes, they flat out invent jobs. But given the responses as to why people do it, it's because they're trying to get by the unnecessary barriers of cybersecurity hiring. Does that make the lying justified? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@d
Can’t You Just Pop Out of Zeus’ Head a Fully Formed Security Professional?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Companies want to hire security professionals who know everything. Eager professionals who want all those skills are screaming please hire me and train me. But unlike the military which can turn a teenager into a soldier in 16 weeks, corporations in dire of cybersecurity help have little to no means to train. They're just hoping they'll show up perfect and ready to fight in a digital war. This week’s episode is hosted by me, Davi
We’d Secure Our Data If We Knew Where It Was
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Given the ease of sharing data, our sensitive information is going more places that we want it. We have means to secure data, but you really can't do that if you don't know where your data actually is. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Brian Vecci (@BrianTheVecci), field CTO, Varonis. Thanks to our p
Our Security Tool Can Do Everything But Mitigate Risk
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. No department is immune to budget cuts. When the budget cuts come in, where can security look first to save money? Mike Johnson said, "An expensive tool that doesn't mitigate risk should be at the top of the chopping block." This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Almog Apirion (@almogap), CEO and cofounder, Cyolo. Thanks to our podcast sponsor,
No Need for Chaos Engineering Since Our Architecture Is Always Failing
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Is chaos engineering the secret sauce to creating a resilient organization? Purposefully disrupt your architecture to allow for early discovery of weak points. Can we take it even further to company environment, beyond even a tabletop exercise? How far can we test our limits while still allowing the business to operate? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy),
Why Aren’t You On Slack Where I Can Interrupt You?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. In order to get any work done we try to shut out all possible distractions. That includes messaging apps. But those people who want to connect become annoyed that they can't reach you. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Howard Holton, CTO, GigaOm. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Cyolo Too many critical assets a
Fast Track Burnout for Your Cyber Team with Layoffs
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. What happens to your team after the layoffs? Your overextended team now realizes they're going to have to pick up the slack for those who left. How do you shift responsibilities in such a situation? Does anything fall away? Because you can't still operate at the same level. How do you adjust while maintaining morale and not burning out those who are there? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CI
We Look for Candidates Who Already Know Everything
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Future cybersecurity talent is frustrated. The industry demand for cybersecurity professionals is huge, but the openings for green cyber people eager to get into the field are few. They want professional training, and they want the hiring companies to provide the training. Problem is not enough companies have training programs in place and as a result they can only hire experienced cyber talent, shutting out those who want to get
We're Experts At Telling You To Fix Your Problems
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. I don't need another vendor to find my problems. Finding my problems has not been the issue. That's the easy part. Fixing them with the staff I have is definitely "the problem." Vulnerability management must include ways to remediate, quickly. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is John C. Underwood, vp, information security, Big 5 Sporting Goods. Thanks
_Saying_ “We’re 100% Secure” Is Not the Problem
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. It's pretty darn easy to just utter the words "we're 100% secure." Pulling that off seems universally impossible, but some organizations are adamant about certain types of safety so they aim for 100%. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Yoav Regev (@yoav_regev), CEO, Sentra. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Sentra Sentra’s Data Security Postu
This Unwanted Cold Call Made Possible Thanks to This Month’s Sales Quota
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. A CISO calls on security vendors to stop the spamming and cold calling. Are these annoyances the direct result the way salespeople are measured? Is that what drives the desperation and bad behavior? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Dmitriy Sokolovskiy, CISO, Avid. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis Every
Adversaries Beef Up Their Shiny Object Distraction Campaign
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. We are all very easily distracted, and adversaries know that. So they'll try any little trick to make us not pay attention, look away, or do what we're not supposed to do all in an effort to break our human defenses. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Shaun Marion, CISO, McDonald's. Thanks to our podcast sponso
21 “Dark Side”-Approved Ways to Threaten Your Prospects
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. For those security practitioners who leave a job to go work for a security vendor, please stop calling it "going to the dark side." This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Jason Mar-Tang, director of sales engineering, Pentera. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Pentera Pentera is the category leader for Automated Security Validation, allowing ever
Let’s Pretend We’re Getting Hacked. Who Wants to Panic First?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Tabletop exercises are critical procedures to learn how everyone will react during an actual attack. Panic is usually the first response, so why don't we do that when we're playing our pretend game of getting our business compromised by a nefarious hacker? This week's episode of CISO Series Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience in Clearwater, Florida for the Convene conference produced by the National Cybersecurity Al
Today’s Agenda: When Will This Meeting End?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Everyone's favorite meeting is a short meeting. But does anyone want a fun or entertaining meeting? Or is that a bad idea? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Jeremy Embalabala, CISO, HUB International. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, SlashNext With today’s transition to hybrid working, phishing attacks are becoming more prevalent than ever. Mobile phi
Your Password Is Too Long. Please Shorten It.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. What happens when you want to adhere to more secure behavior, but the tool you're using forces you to be less secure, solely because they didn't architect in more stringent security when they created the program. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Terrance Cooley, CISO, Air Force JADC2 R&D Center. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis Everyday, you
Stir in a Little Merger and Acquisition, and Voilà, You’re a Target
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. There is a lot unknown before, during, and after a merger and that can make employees very susceptible to phishing attacks. But, at the same time, the due diligence that goes into an M&A can often open up signs of previous or active compromise, noted Rich Mason of Critical Infrastructure. What does a proposed merger do to a security program?" This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series
We’re Here. We’re Highly Unqualified. Get Used To It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. "Does anyone else feel like the security field is attracting a lot of low-quality people and hurting our reputation," asked a redditor on the cybersecurity subreddit who remembers a time when security personnel were seen as highly experienced technologists. But now they believe people view cybersecurity as an easy tech job to break into for easy money. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO
Sound Security Advice That’s Perfect to Ignore
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. It appears our security awareness training is working, up to a point. Most people are well aware of the need for secure passwords, but they don't actually create secure passwords. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Patrick Harr, CEO, SlashNext. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, SlashNext With today’s
They’re Young, Green, and Very Hackable
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. It appears we're not providing security awareness training fast enough. That's because hackers are specifically targeting brand new employees who don't yet know the company's procedures. Illicit hackers are discovering they're far easier to phish. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Gene Spafford (@therealspaf), Professor, Purdue University. Gene'
Entry Level Position Available. 15+ Years Experience Required.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. That headline is not a joke. An actual job listing on LinkedIn requested just that. We're all hoping this was an error. Regardless, the community response to it was truly overwhelming, speaking much to the frustration of green and junior cybersecurity job seekers who are truly looking for entry level jobs. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating p
Get All the Stress You Want, With None of the Authority
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. CISOs and other security leaders have a lot of stress. But so do other C-level employees. Why does a CISO's stress seem that much more powerful? Is it that their job is still in constant development, or is the "C" in their name just in title, but not authority? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Aman Sirohi (@
We Built This City on Outdated Software
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. "The biggest threat to national security is that many of the most vital systems on the planet CURRENTLY run on outdated and insecure software," said Robert Slaughter of Defense Unicorns on LinkedIn. That's at the core of the third-party security issue. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Richard Marcu
Wrong Answers to Revealing Interview Questions
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Security leaders will often ask challenging or potentially gotcha questions as barometers to see if you can handle a specific job. They're looking not necessarily for a specific answer, but rather a kind of answer and they're also looking to make sure you don't answer the question a specific way. Don't get caught in the trap. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoa
Don’t Make Me Explain This, Because I Can’t
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If you know a difficult concept very well and you're incapable of explaining it simply to others who don't understand it, it's known as the "curse of knowledge." It is for this reason far too many talented cybersecurity professionals struggle to educate others. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Okey Obudulu (@okeyobudulu), CISO, Skillsoft. Thanks to
Where’s the “Single Pane of Glass” to My Level of Stress
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series CISOs say stress and burnout are their top personal risks. Breaches, increased regulations, and the tech talent shortage are all contributors to the stress. Sure would be nice for the CISO and the rest of the team to look at a chart that showed the CISO's stress level in real time. This week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the producer of CISO Series, and special guest co-host Shawn Bowen (@SMbowen), CISO, Worl
Cyber Sales ABCs: Always Be Creepy
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series For some reason, the ABCs of sales ("Always Be Closing") in the world of cybersecurity sales has translated into "Always Be Creepy." Eagerness to make just a connection, forget closing, has turned into extremely forward approaches that would make anyone feel uncomfortable. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and my guests will be Steve Tran, CSO, Democratic National Committee and Ma
We Take Security and Privacy Seriously… Seriously
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series After every breach, you hear the same mantra from the attacked company: "We take security and privacy seriously." It's lost all its meaning. But what if you truly ARE serious about how you handle security and privacy? Should you say "seriously" twice? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Geoff Belknap (@geoffbelknap), CISO, LinkedIn and co-host of Defe
How to Be a Security Vendor CISOs Can’t Ignore
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series There are vendors that CISOs can't look away from. Who are they and what did they do to get so much attention from CISOs? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Saša Zdjelar, svp, security assurance, Salesforce. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Sysdig Sysdig is driving the standard for cloud and container security. With Sysdig, teams find and prioritize so
I Pity the Fool Who Builds a Homogeneous Cyber A-Team
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If you want to build a successful cybersecurity team, you need to be diverse, mostly in thought. But that diversity in thought usually is the result of people with diverse backgrounds who have had different experiences and have solved problems differently. It's actually really hard to hire a diverse team because what you want to do is simply hire people who look, talk, and sound like you. People who come from the same background
The Cybersecurity Hamster Wheel of Getting Nothing Done
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What are signs your team is getting burnt out? It's not an imbalance of work and family, it's feeling you're having no impact. That you're working your tail off and nothing is getting accomplished. This happens often in cybersecurity. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Sara-Michele Lazarus, vp/head of trust and security, Stavvy. Thanks to our podcast
Who Do You Need to Trust When You Build a Zero Trust Architecture?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Uggh, just saying "zero trust" sends shivvers down security professionals' spines. The term is fraught with so many misnomers. The most important is who are you going to trust to actually help you build that darn zero trust program? Are you going to look at a vendor that's consolidated solutions and has built programs like this repeatedly or are you going to look for the best solutions yourself and try to figure out how best to p
The Best Interview Questions and the Answers You Want to Run From
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. You want an awesome job in cybersecurity, and you want to ask the right questions. What are the right answers, and which ones are red flags that should cause you to run? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Renee Guttman, former CISO, Campbell's, Coca-Cola, and Time Warner. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Okta
But I Spent All This Money. Why Are You Still Ignoring Me?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Are RSA and other big conferences worth it? It seems that fewer CISOs are actually walk the floor at these big trade shows. The really big meetings are happening outside of the conference. Why would CISOs attend these big conferences with airfares costing over $1000 and hotel rooms costing $500 to $800 a night? Are the customers and vendors getting priced out? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer o
It’s OK to Look Like a Cyber Hero. Just Don’t Act Like One.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Security professionals should turn in the cyber hero mentality for the "sidekick" role. Many cybersecurity leaders believe they need to save the company from all the stupid users who can't protect themselves. The reality is security professionals should lose the saviour mentality for a supporting role where they're running alongside different business units trying to find a way to make their process run smoother and more secure.
How to Market “Zero Trust” Without Making CISOs Cringe
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Just the words "zero trust" often causes security professionals to shiver. In general, CISOs are on board with the concepts of "zero trust," we just think they're uncomfortable with how it's being used for branding and marketing efforts. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is David Cross (@mrdbcross), SVP/CISO for Oracle SaaS Cloud. Thanks to our podcast
When Good Decisions Go Bad
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series You can make the right decision given the information you have, but everything is a risk, so there are times those good decisions are going to result in not the result you were hoping for. In essence, plenty of good decisions result in poor outcomes. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Aviv Grafi, founder and CTO
When Does an Exaggeration Become a Lie?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series We explore the world of dishonesty in cybersecurity. Practitioners know that marketers will stretch the truth, but how far are we willing to let that go? Isn't this industry built on trust? Can cybersecurity continue to thrive if we can't trust each other? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Anna Belak (@aabelak), director of thought leadershi
Yuck! Now Everyone Has Touched My Data.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What can you do when your data keeps passing through different third party applications? Your data is being accessed and manipulated by more people, more applications, and more security policies that may not be aligned with your security policies. It seems once it leaves your environment, it's out of your control. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operat
“Bad” Security Practices That Really Aren’t All that Bad
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If they can find flaws, security professionals are quick to label it as bad security behavior. But often, what is marked as "bad" may have problems, but when looked at from a reducing risk perspective it's actually a very good security behavior. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Carla Sweeney, vp information security, Red Ventures. Thanks to our podc
How Many Forms of ID Do I Need to Buy This Gift Card?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Getting someone to purchase gift cards is a popular vector for theft. Given that the gift card theft technique is so well known, many online sites have put up additional barriers to purchasing gift cards. Trying to buy them legitimately has become increasingly difficult. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Ariel
Why Does Your Privacy Matter If I’m Paying You?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Should you monitor your staff? I mean reallymonitor them. Some bosses are installing screen grabbing and click tracking software to monitor employees and by most estimates employees hate it so much that half of them would quit if their supervisors installed monitoring software on their computers. But in some cases an employee's behavior may lend themselves to being monitored. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@ds
It Sure Is Fun to Complain About Security Vendors
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Next time you're annoyed by a security vendor's pitch, instead of firing back at them at what an idiot they are, or complaining about it on social media, why not see if you can find a friendly manager at the vendor company and explain what happened so they can actually address the problem appropriately? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Rob Suarez, C
What Does It Cost to Prove Security Is Working?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series I have no idea what I need to spend to demonstrate our security program is working. What's it going to take? Or maybe I need just others on my team to just validate that they truly do care about security. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is John McClure (@johnmcclure00), CISO, Sinclair Broadcast Group. Thanks to
I Have So Little. Just Let Me Control Access to the Mail Server
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series How dangerous is it for a cybersecurity professional to pull a G-d complex with the email server just because they didn't like the way one salesperson behaved? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Jadee Hanson (@jadeehanson), CIO/CISO, Code42. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42. As the Insider Risk
Security as a Profit Center? You’re Kidding, Right?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What if we could convince management that security is not a cost center, but a means to actually make and save money for the business? The concept isn't so completely outrageous. Companies are using privacy and security as differentiators, and certain security tools such as single sign on, password managers, and passwordless reduce operational costs in support tickets. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), p
Finding That Perfect Time to Quit Your Job
To see the blog post and read the transcript, head over to CISO Series. We don't celebrate quitting. Maybe we should. When should you do it when you don't have another offer? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Hadas Cassorla, CISO, M1. On this episode: When a "good" security control is actually bad for business. A "how to" engage with a CISO during a presentation meeting. Losing your passion for cybersecurity. What
Gartner Creates Another Category for Everyone to Ignore
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series I have talked to vendors who get all excited about Gartner opening up a new category for them. All I can think is uggh, something new to confuse the security marketplace. I know there's a need to label products in categories to simplify sales. But the complexity is driving buyers nuts. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our
A Look Back at Foolish Security Policies of Past and Present
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Are bad security policies of yesteryear just because we didn't know any better at the time, or were they some bozos idea of legitimate security yet the rest of us knew it was just security theater? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Dr. Diane M Janosek (@dm_janosek), deputy director of compliance, NSA and senior legal advisor for Women in Cybersecurit
Decommission Our Legacy Tech or Just Shut Down the Business?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Legacy tech can often be the anchor that prevents an organization from growing. Put the issue of dealing with legacy tech long enough and the problem could get bigger than the business itself. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is TJ Mann (@teejaymann), CISO, Children's Mercy Kansas City. Thanks to our podcast spo
Life’s Certainties: Death, Taxes, and Violating Security Policies
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series People violate cybersecurity policies at a rate of one out of every 20 job tasks. It's just a matter of time before all your employees are in violation. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Bruce Schneier (@schneierblog), chief of security architecture, Inrupt and fellow and lecturer and Harvard Kennedy School. T
Is It a Promotion or a Red Flag Telling You To Get Out?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series A young woman is killing it in her first cybersecurity job out of college. Management is so thrilled with her that they want to give her a promotion. Problem is the promotion reveals a lot of other innerworkings that don't speak well of the company's culture. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Davi Ottenheimer (@daviottenheimer), vp trust and digital ethics, Inrup
It’s a Great Job, But I’m Alone and Terrified
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series First job out of college and you get the cybersecurity job of your dreams... and nightmares. It's just too much, and you definitely don't have the experience to handle it all. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Rick Doten (@rick_doten), CISO, Carolina Complete Health. Check out Rick's Youtube channel with the CIS Critical Security Control videos. Than
Instead of Increased Cybersecurity, Could We Just Order Less Risk?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series "No business wants more security, they want less risk," said a redditor on the cybersecurity subreddit. Executives seem to not care about cybersecurity because they're not talking in those terms. They talk in terms of managing risk. It's the InfoSec professional's job to do the translation. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Tom Doughty, vp and CISO,
Why CISOs Avoid the Dreaded “Request a Demo” Button
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series A CISO hears about your company's product from some other CISOs. Eager to find more information like a video demo they could watch on their own, they visit your site. They can't find anything except a prominently placed "Request a Demo" button. Fearing the marketing and salespeople who will hound them if they fill out the information, they just bail. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Ser
What’s Next in Cybersecurity? Look at Last Year and Expect More
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series The web is awash with sites claiming they know what the security trends will be for 2022. All of them were filled with quotes from security experts at different vendors who "surprise" we're saying the big trend is what their product can fix. One publication, eWEEK, had probably the only logical set of trends and they look a lot like what happened in 2021. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CIS
Are You Attending the “What to Worry About Next” Security Conference?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Are security conferences really helpful in advising you on making your business more secure, or are they just adding more worries to your plate that aren't actually going to be threats your business is going to have to face? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Jason Witty, CSO, USAA. Thanks to our podcast sponso
It's BAAAACK! The Return of “We Could Have Stopped That Breach”
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Our entire network launched because of the irritation CISOs had with vendors could have stopped some breach that happened to another company. Then the chest pounding subsided, and we thought we were making an impact, until Log4j appeared... This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Tim Rohrbaugh, CISO, JetBlue. Thanks to our sponsor, CyCognito By understan
How to Be So Awesome CISOs Can’t Ignore You
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series The trick to getting the attention of CISOs is to create an awesome company. Focus on that and the attention will follow. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Katie Stebbins (@ktlgs), board president, Global Epic. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Kenna Security Kenna Security, now part of Cisco, is the pioneer of
Attract the Best Candidates with Crappy Benefits and Low Pay
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If you're up against Google, Facebook, or Apple for hiring talent, chances are pretty good that your company is not going to match their pay and benefits. So if they're the bar for salary and benefits, your business' offerings will inevitably be subpar. So how do you build your employer brand to contend in areas where you're deficient in areas you can't compete? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer
If the Network Is Up, Somebody Is Violating Our Acceptable Use Policy
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Every organization has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for their computers and network. Nobody reads it and everybody violates it. How the heck do you enforce or discipline people who violate your company's AUP? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Matt Radolec, senior director, incident response and clo
What We Lack In Security We'll Make Up in School Spirit
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Yikes, this security hole one concerned student found in the school's network is going to require one heck of a pep rally to fix. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Dave Stirling, CISO, Zions Bancorporation. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis On average, an employee can access 17 million files on day one.
What's the Least Annoying Way to Follow Up with a CISO?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If we had such a great conversation at the conference, why don't you want to respond to my emails? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Julie Tsai (@446688), cybersecurity leader. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis What is your ransomware blast radius? The average user can access 17 million files. Varonis reduces your blast radius in days, not yea
Why Ignoring Most of Your Vulnerabilities Is the Best Strategy
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Winning at vulnerability management is not a numbers game. It's a tactical exercise of what matters most in your environment. Surprisingly, experts tell us close to two thirds of your vulnerabilities can and should be ignored. Why and which ones are those? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Ed Bellis
Why We Quickly Reject 95% of All Applicants
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If you're asking what certification you should go after to get the perfect cybersecurity job, you're asking the wrong question. Most hiring managers are inundated with resumes so they're looking for ways to get rid of yours. Don't be fooled thinking you're going to be seen because you have the "perfect" resume. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Mike
Security So Good Your Users Won't Use It
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series CISOs agree that multi-factor authentication is the one security control that once deployed has the greatest impact to reduce security issues. Yet with all that agreement, it’s still so darn hard to get users to actually use it. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Arvind Raman (@arvind78), CISO, Mitel. Huge thanks to our sponsor, Horizon3.ai See your e
We've Never Taken On So Much Risk
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series It's all risk, all show, for the entire show. It's just the kind of risk we like to take. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Derek Vadala (@derekvadala), chief risk officer, BitSight. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, BitSight These are challenging times for security professionals. From managing third party supply chain risk, to quantifying fin
The Perfect Gift for a Cyber Crook
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What do you give to the person who wants to learn how to steal everything? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest Jim Wachhaus (@imanapt), risk intelligence evangelist, CyCognito. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, CyCognito By understanding risks, attacks, and behaviors from attack surface management data, Cy
"I Love Being Monitored Online," Said No Employee Ever
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What do you do if your boss gave you a corporate laptop and you fear they installed some tracking software? Should you wipe the drive or simply quit? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Purandar Das (@dasgp), co-founder and president, Sotero. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Sotero Today’s compliance requirements require a security mindset tha
If We Don't Talk About Cyber Risk, Will It Go Away?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Risk is scary. Cyber risk is scarier. Not because it's worse, but mostly because we barely understand it. We've gone this long not understanding it. Maybe just ignoring it will allow us to wish it away. On this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast we have our first in-studio guest (since we moved the studio). Joining me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson is our in-studio guest
After a Breach It's Really Easy to Calculate Risk
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series There's no question calculating risk is tricky. Because once you understand your risk then you can assign budget appropriately to reduce your risk. OR, you could just wait until you're breached and you'll know exactly what your risk is and how much it costs. This week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Dan Walsh, CIS
I’ve Got Zero Trust In My Understanding of Zero Trust
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Don't look at me to explain zero trust to you, because I'm just as confused. I've heard plenty of definitions, and they all sound good. I just don't know which one is right, or maybe they're all right. This week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at KeyConf at the City Winery in New York City. My guest co-host for this special episode is JJ Agha, CISO, Compass. Joining
We’re Very Good at SAYING We Care About Diversity
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series It's extremely easy to say you want to diversify. In fact, I'll do it right now three times. We want diversity. We're very pro diversity and it's our focus for the next year. Diversity is a very important part of our security program. Please don't ask to though look at the lack of diversity on our staff. It doesn't match our rhetoric. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ell
Chances Are We'll Be Attacked the Day Before Your Vacation
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Do the cybercriminals know my vacation schedule? If they’re already in our network, they probably do. Why don’t they share their vacation schedule with me. That way we can all enjoy our time off. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Patti Titus (@rusecur), CISO, Markel. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Sotero Today’s compliance requirements require a sec
Did You Get My Last Email? This One Has a Joke In It.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series At one point a sales representative will get so desperate trying to get a reply from a prospect that they'll resort to some tepid attempt a humor. We've all seen the email that is trying to understand why we're not replying. And the salesperson tries to make it easy for the recipient to respond by just pressing a single digit. 1: You're too busy, 2: You didn't see my email, 3: You really wanted to respond but you're stuck in a we
Hackers of the World Unite… When We Can Agree on a Time
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series "Look, you wanna be elite? You have to do a righteous hack." This entire episode we pay tribute to the movie "Hackers" with quotes all throughout the programming. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and my guest co-host Roland Cloutier (@CSORoland), CISO, TikTok. Joining us in this discussion is Steve Tran (@steveishacking), CISO, MGM Studios. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42 In th
Is Our CISO Doing a Good Job? Our CISO Doesn't Even Know.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series It’s extremely hard to tell if a cybersecurity leader is doing a good job. In fact, it’s tough for even them to know. Our best bet is watching for an improvement in the cybersecurity program over time. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Mark Wojtasiak (@markwojtasiak), vice president, research & strategy, Code42 and co-author of “Inside Jobs
BONUS Episode: Innovation Spotlight
Here's an awesome bonus episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast featured as the closing event at Evanta's Global CISO Virtual Executive Summit. Here's what went down. The day before our recording, three representatives presented their unique and innovative security solutions to a panel of CISOs and the virtual audience in attendance. The next day, everyone came back to offer up a quick elevator pitch and to be grilled by the CISOs. That's exactly what you get to hear on this bonu
We Want to Hire Honest People Who Think Like Criminals
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What game should we play where we can trust you to behave fairly, but at the same time see how you could take advantage of us? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Deneen DiFiore (@deneendifiore), CISO, United Airlines. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42 As organizations gradually and cautiously move out of adapt out of adapt-or-die mode into the p
A Quick Way to Tell Which Vendors You Should Avoid
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Do you really need hundreds of questions to know if you want to work with a vendor? Won’t just two or three well-pointed questions really give you a good idea? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Nick Selby (@fuzztech), CSO, Paxos Trust Company and co-host of Tech Debt Burndown podcast. Thanks to our podcast spo
The Ostrich Approach To Vulnerability Management
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series OK, you showed us our vulnerability. But we really don't want to fix it now. Could we just pay you off to keep quiet, and to buy us some more time to deal with this in a "not so timely" manner? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Sameer Sait (@sameersait), CISO, Amazon - Whole Foods. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42 As organizations gradually an
Sorry, We’re Full. We Can’t Take Any More Market Segments
No, please not another acronym. I can't take another education cycle on another product segment. Oh, I'm sure Gartner is launching it. And I'm sure they'll make yet another Magic Quadrant to tell us which companies are in this new market segment. And we're going to have to buy this report so we understand this new category so we can create yet another line item on our budget sheet. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored
What's the ROI of Nothing Happening?
You don’t want anything to happen, but you also want security to somehow to calculate ROI. Maybe the ROI could be calculated from actual sales that security allowed to actually happen. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our sponsored guest is Ryan Gurney, CISO-in-residence, YL Ventures. Thanks to our sponsor, YL Ventures YL Ventures, a global VC firm, manages over $300 million and exclusi
Could We Speak To Your CISO To Confirm He Received the Cupcakes?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series It’s imperative we speak to him. We want to make sure they landed safely. And if he has some available time, maybe we can show him our slide deck. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Branden Newman, svp, CISO, MGM Resorts. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Grip Security Ask yourself – do I know what SaaS my compan
Make Your Friends Jealous with Our Hand-Crafted Passwords
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series I know your friends say they use excellent passwords, but they don't take the time and care we put into choosing the right combination of letters, numbers, and special characters that's unique to your personality. Once your friends and the dark web have a chance to see them, they'll want to emulate you by using your password over and over again. This week's CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast was actually recorded in front
Are You Asking "How Secure Are We?" or "How Insecure Am I?"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series We've heard the question "How secure are we?" many times, and we know what it really means. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Kevin Morrison, CISO, Alaska Air. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Enso Enso, an Application Security Posture Management platform, helps security teams scale and gain control over thei
Tips to Finding an Incompetent Overpriced Cybersecurity Consultant
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series What questions should we be asking of a consultant's referrals to see if they're really worth the money they're trying to overcharge us? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Ira Winkler (@irawinkler), CISO, Skyline Technology Solutions. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis Varonis will help you get meaningful data security results faster than you th
We Shame Others Because We're So Right About Everything
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series You think it's easy carrying around the burden of being so perfect all the time? It's tough to carry that responsibility to tell others what they need to do. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Our guest is Ed Contreras (@cisoedwardc), CISO, Frost Bank. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varonis Varonis will help you get meani
Will You Accept "My Bad" As Our Breach Response?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series We know we've got to say something about this breach, but geez, the details are really sordid and it would just be easier if we could just wrap it up with one giant "oops." You cool with that? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Matt Radolec, senior director, incident response and cloud operations, Varonis. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Varo
I'll Show You My Risk Profile If You Show Me Yours
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Managing my own risk is tough enough, but now I have to worry about my partners' risk and their partners' risk? I don't even know what's easier to manage: the risk profile of all my third parties or all the exclusions I've got to open up to let third parties into my system. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Bruce Potter (@gdead), CISO, Expe
How Much Charisma Do I Need to Push My Team to the Edge?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If I'm going to be riding my team really hard, how much charisma will I need to keep the team frightened so they stay motivated, yet don't want to leave? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Jason Fruge (@jasonfruge), CISO, Rent-a-Center. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Expel Expel offers companies of all shapes and sizes the capabilities of a modern Se
How Would You Like Your Cloud Misconfigured?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series Great, you just purchased the cloud. Are you a little confused as to what you're going to do with it? Not a problem. Let's get you set up right with a world class misconfiguration. That should leave you open to all kinds of breaches. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Johnathan Keith, CISO, Viacom/CBS Streaming. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, App
It’s Only a Matter of Time Before We Lose Your Data
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series We're trying really hard to keep our customers' data safe, but we all know given the number of attacks happening, our number will eventually come up, and we'll lose your data just like every other organization you trusted. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Sandy Dunn (@sub0girl), CISO, Blue Cross of Idaho. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Expel Expel
His Credentials Say “Yes” But His Behavior Says “No Way”
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series As good as our virtual bouncers are, they often let in people with what seems to be a valid ID, and then once they're in our nightclub they cause a disruption and we have to kick them out. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Sandy Wenzel (@malwaremama), cybersecurity transformation engineer, VMware. Sandy also recommends participating in Pro
We’re Experts at Finding Everything You’re Doing Wrong
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series We're a brand new consultancy and we promise if you just let us poke around your network, we'll find something wrong. Because everyone has something wrong in their network. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Phil Huggins (@oracuk), CISO, NHS Test & Trace, Department of Health and Social Care. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, VMware In this episode:
Hey Old Man, Go Rotate Your Own Passwords
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series If you're happy with your best practice of rotating passwords, that's great for you. Just don't lay your old-timey "rules for better security" on me boomer. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Robb Reck (@robbreck), CISO on sabbatical and co-founder Colorado=Security, a podcast and Slack community. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, VMware In this episode:
How CISOs Make It Worse for Other CISOs
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/how-cisos-make-it-worse-for-other-cisos/ Are CISOs inappropriately putting pressure on themselves and is that hurting the rep of all CISOs as a result? This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Andy Ellis (@csoandy), operating partner, YL Ventures. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Orca Security Orca Security provides instant-on security
Excuse Me, What Bribes Do You Accept?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/excuse-me-what-bribes-do-you-accept/ The security vendor/practitioner sales cycle would go a lot faster and smoother if CISOs would just take an "incentive" for a meeting. Just tell me what "incentive" you would like. I'm sure it'll cost me a lot less than what I'm spending on marketing and sales. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Alli
Holy Crap! We’ve Been Doing This for Three Years!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/holy-crap-weve-been-doing-this-for-three-years/ On this day three years ago, Mike Johnson and I released the first episode of CISO Series’ CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. Our primary goal was to talk about the strained yet much needed relationship between security practitioners and vendors. With the help of our guest Dan Walsh, CISO, VillageMD and plenty of contributors we look back and ask ourse
Something Stinks In Here. I Think It’s Your Code.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/something-stinks-in-here-i-think-it's-your-code/ The problem isn't our users, it's you and your past due code. Something happened. It's either been tainted or expired, but whatever it is, it smells and you need to clean it up. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Brian Fox (@brian_fox), co-founder and CTO, Sonatype. T
Our Top Ten List of Vendors That Aren’t You
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/our-top-ten-list-of-vendors-that-arent-you/ You look at a top ten list is to see if you made the list. Don't bother. You're not on it. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Nancy Hunter, vp, CISO, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42 Redefine data security standards for the hybrid workfo
Do We Have to Let the CISO Sit With Us?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/do-we-have-to-let-the-ciso-sit-with-us/ I guess because it's a pandemic, and we really need them, just this one time, we'll let the CISO hang out at the cool kids' table. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Jadee Hanson (@jadeehanson), CISO, Code42. Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Code42 Redefine data security standa
Why Commute When You Can Stay Home and Be Overworked?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/why-commute-when-you-can-stay-home-and-be-overworked/ Work from home seemed ideal until you realized you were working at all hours with people all over the world. It would actually be a nice respite to have to commute and leave work at a reasonable hour. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Adam Glick, CISO, Rocket Software.
Pushing This to the Top Of Your Inbox So You Can Delete It Again
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/pushing-this-to-the-top-of-your-inbox-so-you-can-delete-it-again/ We're following up on our previous email because we love to engage in self-defeat. We assume you don't want to hear from me again, but just to make sure, I've delivered another email for you to delete. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Rinki Sethi (@rinkise
OK, I Get It. You’re All Special Snowflakes.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/ok-i-get-it-youre-all-special-snowflakes/ This department manager thinks their data is the most important. But then this department manager thinks their data is the most important. Can there really be so many crown jewels in your company that are all equally important? How's a CISO supposed to prioritize? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our gu
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Network Breach
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-a-network-breach/ Are you expecting a little intrusion into your network any day now? You better be prepared. Are there some vulnerabilities you should have managed, but didn't? Don't worry, first time security professionals are always scared about their first incident. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our s
We Recommend a “Know the Right People” Certification
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/we-recommend-a-know-the-right-people-certification/ There are so many fantastic certifications out there for security professionals. But we've found the one certification that will really help you land the right job really quickly, is to provide proof that you know some people at our company who can vouch for you. Remember, we are a business that operates on trust, not giving people their first chances in
My Backup Plan Is Hoping My Cloud Provider Has a Backup Plan
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/my-backup-plan-is-hoping-my-cloud-provider-has-a-backup-plan/ I think maybe I should check to see if we paid for cloud backup protection. Or maybe, we're doing it. Who knows? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Ty Sbano (@tysbano), chief security and trust officer, Sisense Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Adaptive Shield
Patches? Yes, We Need Stinkin' Patches!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/patches-yes-we-need-stinkin-patches/ There was a time we could trust a patch, but now our adversaries are actually looking at the patches to find even more vulnerabilities. And we keep patching those as well. Our patches' patches need patches. When does it stop?! This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Travis Hoyt (@tr
I Think Possibly Maybe We've Solved Diversity in Cybersecurity
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/i-think-possibly-maybe-weve-solved-diversity-in-cybersecurity/ We're tired of hearing "we're trying" when it comes to the subject of how companies are trying to inject diversity into their organizations. It's a lopsided game and diverse candidates have to make ten times the number of attempts as their non-diverse counterparts. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and
Unnecessary Research Reveals CISOs Hate Cold Calls
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/unnecessary-research-reveals-cisos-hate-cold-calls/ In a study we never actually conducted, our fellow security leaders said unequivocally that there never has been a time they welcome a phone call from someone they don't know trying to book a demo to see a product they have no interest in. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and guest co-host Andy Steingruebl (@a
One Day You'll Grow Up to Know Less Than You Do Now
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/one-day-youll-grow-up-to-know-less-than-you-do-now We know so little when we're born. We're just absorbing information. But then we get older, and get the responsibility to secure the computing environment of a large company, we actually see that knowledge we absorbed start slipping away. What we thought we knew of what's in our network is so far afield from reality. This episode is hosted by me, David S
Would You Look at that Unrealistic Licensing Deal?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/would-you-look-at-that-unrealistic-licensing-deal/ CISOs know that salespeople want to make the best licensing deal they can possibly get. But unpredictability in the world of cybersecurity makes one-year licensing deals tough, and three-year licensing deals impossible. This episode is hosted by David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Mark Eggleston, (@meg
This Is the Year I'm Going to Lose Weight and Care About Security
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/this-is-the-year-im-going-to-lose-weight-and-care-about-security/ Every year I say I'm going to do it. I'm going to get healthy and be much better about securing my digital identity and my data. But then after about two weeks I give up, use the same password across multiple accounts, and eat a pint of Häagen-Dazs. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and guest co-h
Please Accept This Not-a-Bribe Gift as an Act of Desperation
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/please-accept-this-not-a-bribe-gift-as-an-act-of-desperation/ Offering me a gift for a meeting was definitely not Plan A. Or was this a situation that you ran out of creative ideas and it's actually more cost efficient to buy your way into meeting with me? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is John Overbaugh, (@johnoverbaugh) vp
Foul! That Interview Question Is Unfair
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/foul-that-interview-question-is-unfair/ Pick a side. You either want your employees to have a work/life balance, or you want them to be obsessed with security 24/7. You can't have both. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Arpita Biswas, (@0sn1s) senior incident response engineer, Databricks Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Sta
Why Do We Fire the CISO? Tradition!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/why-do-we-fire-the-ciso-tradition/) Yes, firing the CISO probably won't solve our security issues. But our community has a multi-generational heritage of relying on scapegoats to make them feel good about their decisions. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Kirsten Davies (@kirstendiva), CISO, Estee Lauder Companies. Thanks to
Click This Link to Fail a Phishing Test
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/click-this-link-to-fail-a-phishing-test/) Our phishing tests are designed to make you feel bad about yourself for clicking a link. We're starting to realize these tests are revealing how insensitive we are towards our employees. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Yaron Levi, (@0xL3v1) former CISO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Our "Hope It Doesn't Happen to Me" Security Strategy
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series https://cisoseries.com/our-hope-it-doesnt-happen-to-me-security-strategy/ We're thinking it just might be possible to wish our security problems away. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Steve Giguere, (@_SteveGiguere_) director of solution architecture and community, StackRox. Thanks to this week’s podcast sponsor, Stackrox StackR
Hey Reseller, What's the "Value" You're Adding?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/hey-reseller-whats-the-value-youre-adding/) It seems that you're offering so much more when you add the VA ("value added") in front of your title. What is that? Why am I working with you rather than buying directly from the vendor? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Doug Cahill (@dougcahill), vp, and group director, cybers
The People Closest to You Will Hurt You
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/the-people-closest-to-you-will-hurt-you/) Insider threats. We know some are malicious, and sometimes it's the unwitting result of someone trying to do their job. Aren't you supposed to trust the people you hire? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Dr. Deanna Caputo, chief scientist for behavioral sciences and cybe
When Should You Stop Trusting Your CISO?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/when-should-you-stop-trusting-your-ciso/) How technically capable does my CISO need to be? If they lose their technical chops, should we stop trusting them? Should they even be a CISO if they had no technical chops to begin with? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is James Dolph, CISO for Guidewire Software. Thanks to our sp
Why Is 'Pay the Ransom' In Next Year's Budget?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/why-is-pay-the-ransom-in-next-years-budget/) With 25 percent of ransomware victims paying the ransomware, have we waved the white flag to the attackers? Should we just budget for it? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Les McCollum (@doinmorewithles), managing vp, CISO, ICMA-RC. Thanks to
We're 90% Confident We've Lost All Confidence
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/were-90-confident-weve-lost-all-confidence/) I don't think we're doing enough to protect ourselves against cyberattacks and I'm also pretty sure we're clueless as to what our third party vendors are doing. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Stephen Boyer (@swboyer), co-founder an
Networks Wobble But They Don't Fall Down
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/networks-wobble-but-they-dont-fall-down/) Eager cyberprofessional looking to really impress a CISO? Create a home network lab and show how you can handle incidents on that network without shutting it down. This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Steve Zalewski, deputy CISO, Levi Strauss. Thank
Why Don't Cybercriminals Attack When It's Convenient for Me?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/why-dont-cybercriminals-attack-when-its-convenient-for-me/) Hey cybercrooks, I've got a really great weekend planned, so could you do us all a favor and cool it this Friday and just let all of us enjoy the weekend? This week’s episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Margarita Rivera, vp of information sec
Archaeologists Dig Up the Remains of An Optimistic CISO
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/archaeologists-dig-up-the-remains-of-an-optimistic-ciso/) It it believed that in ancient times cybersecurity was successfully fought with a glass half full approach. Today's pessimistic CISOs have yet to confirm the findings. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is George Finney (@wellawaresecu
Can a Robot Be Concerned About Your Privacy?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/can-a-robot-be-concerned-about-your-privacy/) I want AI to be efficient, but I also want my space. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Rebecca Weekly (@rebeccalipon), senior director of hyperscale strategy and execution, senior principal engineer, Intel. Thanks to this week's podcast
BONUS EPISODE: Innovators Spotlight
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/bonus-episode:-innovators-spotlight/) What makes a security solution innovative? Where do you think security desperately needs innovation? And what do you look for in a security vendor's presentation? On this very special bonus episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, I invite two special guests, David Tyburski, CISO, Wynn Resorts and Matt Crouse (@mattcrouse), CISO, Taco Bell to answer that
A Phish So Insidious You Can't Help But Be Jealous
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/a-phish-so-insidious-you-cant-help-but-be-jealous/) Wait, that's a phish even I'd fall for. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Matt Crouse, CISO, Taco Bell. Huge thanks to our sponsor, CloudKnox. CloudKnox Security is the market leader within Gartner’s newly defined Cloud Infrastructu
Whether It's Vulnerabilities or Children, We Like to Pick Favorites
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/whether-its-vulnerabilities-or-children-we-like-to-pick-favorites/) While you do have to claim all of your vulnerabilities and your children, you don't have to like all of them. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Ben Sapiro, global CISO, Great-West LifeCo. HUGE thanks to our
I Want to, but... I Just Can't Trust Your Single Pane of Glass
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/i-want-to-but-i-just-cant-trust-your-single-pane-of-glass/) I've already got a view into my company's security. It's going to take a lot to get me to to dump it for your solution. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Joshua Scott (@joshuascott94), former CISO, Realtor.com. HUGE thanks to
Security Is Suffering From DevOps FOMO
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/security-is-suffering-from-devops-fomo/) Darn it. DevOps is having this awesome successful party and we want in! We've tried inserting ourselves in the middle (DevSecOps) and we launched a pre-party (shift left), but they still don't like us. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is
Enjoying My Blissful Ignorance of Cyber Vulnerabilities
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/enjoying-my-blissful-ignorance-of-cyber-vulnerabilities/) What keeps me up at night? Nothing! That's because I hold onto cybersecurity myths because it makes me believe I don't have a security problem. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Dustin Wilcox, CISO, Anthem. Thanks to our sponso
Tell Me We're Secure So I Can Go Back to Ignoring Security
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/tell-me-were-secure-so-i-can-go-back-to-ignoring-security/) I don't know anything about our state of security. I don't want to know either. But I do want to know you know about security and there's nothing I have to worry about. You can do that, right? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is
Request a Demo of Our Inability to Post a Demo
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/request-a-demo-of-our-inability-to-post-a-demo/) It's really easy to include "Request a Demo" button on our site. But potential buyers would actually like to just watch a demo on our site. Should we actually expend just a little more effort to record a demo and upload it to our site? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike
The "Do What We Tell You" Technique Isn't Working
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/the-do-what-we-tell-you-technique-isnt-working/) We've yelled, we've screamed, we've complained, and we've whined. Those darn users simply don't do what they tell them to do. I guess we're going to have to give empathy a try. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Michelle Valdez (@scauzim), C
Set It. Forget It. Reset It. Repeat.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/set-it-forget-it-reset-it-repeat/) As long as you reset it and repeat, everything in cybersecurity is "set it and forget it". This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Brett Conlon (@DecideSecurity), CISO, Edelman Financial Engines. Check out Tricia Howard's dramatic readings of cold emails.
I Need Resources to Free Up My Resources
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/i-need-resources-to-free-up-my-resources) Automation sounds wonderful and I'd love to have some free time, but geez, who do I need to hire to make that happen? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Aaron Ansari (@theanswar), VP, Cloud One, Trend Micro. Thanks to this week's podcast
We're Not Fooled By Your Diversity Theater
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/were-not-fooled-by-your-diversity-theater/) We're casting for our diversity theater program on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Matt Conner, CISO, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. Thanks to this week's podcast spons
How to Tell If Your CISO Sucks at Their Job
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/how-to-tell-if-your-ciso-sucks-at-their-job/) If your CISO wants to be a 'visionary' but they can't seem to pull off basic security functions, they probably suck at their job. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Lee Parrish (@leeparrish), CISO, Hertz. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor,
How Will the Candidate Respond to "What's Worse?!"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/how-will-the-candidate-respond-to-whats-worse/) A potential candidate's response to a "What's Worse?!" question will show how they can handle risk decisions. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Elliot Lewis (@elliotdlewis), CEO, Keyavi Data. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor,
"I LOVE Cold Calls", Said the CISO on Opposite Day
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/i-love-cold-calls-said-the-ciso-on-opposite-day/) While CISOs are not excited to receive your unexpected phone call, they are excited to listen to this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Helen Patton, CISO, The Ohio State Univers
NYTimes Critic Called Our Security Theater "Unconvincing"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/nytimes-critic-called-our-security-theater-unconvincing/) We tried to pull off the Hamilton of security theater and we fell short. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Shawn Bowen (@smbowen), CISO, Restaurant Brands International which handles restaurants such as Burger King, Popeye's, Tim H
Why Am I Working Harder During This Pandemic?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/why-am-i-working-harder-during-this-pandemic/) Is it the increased work or the pandemic itself that's causing us all to work more than we've ever worked before? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Christopher Zell, vp, head of information security, The Wendy’s Company. Thanks to this week'
I Have the Perfect Job for You (But Probably Not)
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/i-have-the-perfect-job-for-you-but-probably-not/) You put those qualifications on your resume, and I queried. So don't blame me for getting your hopes up. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week Brandon Greenwood, vp, security, Overstock.com. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor Trend Micro. Tr
We Compensate Our Low Paying CISO Jobs with High Stress
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-compensate-our-low-paying-ciso-jobs-with-high-stress/) On this week's episode we're seeking candidates for unrealistically low-paying CISO positions. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Nir Rothenberg, CISO, Rapyd. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor Trend Micro. Trend Micro Incorpor
Keep Pouring. I'll Tell You When I've Had Enough Security.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/keep-pouring-ill-tell-you-when-ive-had-enough-security/) When do we hit the diminishing returns of too much cybersecurity? How will we know? Will a bell go off? Will our cup runneth over? This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Tony Sager, svp, chief evangelist, Center for Internet Security. Thank
Facebook Personality Quiz Asks, "What's Your Favorite Password?"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/facebook-personality-quiz-asks-whats-your-favorite-password/) What's your favorite combination of letters, numbers, and symbols you like to use to log onto your favorite app or financial institution? Let us know and we'll see if it matches any of your friends! This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest
Great Security Program! Too Bad We Can't Implement It.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/great-security-program-too-bad-we-cant-implement-it/) Security theory only goes so far. If you want your security program to work, everyone has to do their part. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Scott McCormick, CISO, Reciprocity. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor
We Promoted the Competition and Still Won
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-promoted-the-competition-and-still-won/) If you're having a problem getting people to discover your space, then maybe you have to do a better job promoting the space even when it involves the competition. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our guest is Zohar Rozenberg, former head of cyber
Three Years Experience Required for Sub-Entry Level Positions
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/three-years-experience-required-for-sub-entry-level-positions/) Our motto for hiring: We never give up on our unreasonable expectations. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Brandon Traffanstedt, global director of systems engineering, CyberArk. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor,
LOOK! Freshmen CISOs. Get Ready to POUNCE!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/look-freshmen-cisos-get-ready-to-pounce/) What could possibly be a better way to welcome newly hired CISOs to the security community than with a shiny new sales pitch? This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Wayne Reynolds, CISO, Toyota Financial Savings Bank. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor
Cleaning Those Tough to Reach Digital Identity Stains
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/cleaning-those-tough-to-reach-digital-identity-stains/) We're trying to erase our past and it's becoming harder and harder to clean that history. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our guest is Davi Ottenheimer (@daviottenheimer), vp of trust and digital ethics, Inrupt. Thanks to this week's
Let's Just Dump On Zoom's Security and Offer No Solutions
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/lets-just-dump-on-zooms-security-and-offer-no-solutions/) Sure, we're all in this together, but isn't it fun just to trash a popular product's really bad security? This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest is Brian Johnson, CEO and co-founder, DivvyCloud. Thanks to this week's po
We've Got a Dozen Features. Only Two Work.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/weve-got-a-dozen-features-only-two-work/) If you don't focus too much on quality you'll really be impressed with the quantity of features our product has. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our guest is Yaron Levi (@0xL3v1), CISO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. Thanks to this week's p
Let's Ask CISOs If They're Concerned About Data Security
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/lets-ask-cisos-if-theyre-concerned-about-data-security/) I'm just learning about cybersecurity and I just realized that data security is really important. I don't know if everybody knows this. Do CISOs know? I should email all of them and ask. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, and co-host Mike Johnson. Our guest is S
I Don't Need Anymore Advice On How To Work Remotely
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/i-dont-need-anymore-advice-on-how-to-work-remotely/) It appears everyone has tips on how to work remotely. And after the deluge the past two weeks, most people have hit their wall. We don't care. We're pushing through with even more advice, just for security professionals. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnso
The Department of "No, Thank You"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/the-department-of-no-thank-you/) Just go to the front desk, sign in, and then the receptionist will say “no” in the most polite way possible. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Nina Wyatt, CISO, Sunflower Bank. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor, CyberArk. At CyberArk, we believe that sha
We Pick the Best Security Awareness Programs for Your Staff to Ignore
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-pick-the-best-security-awareness-programs-for-your-staff-to-ignore/) It doesn’t matter which security awareness training program you purchase. Your staff is going to do whatever they can to either tune out or get out of this annual compulsory exercise. This week’s episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast was recording in front of a live audience at athenahealth in Watertown, Massachusetts. Th
Buy Our Product. We Have No Idea What We're Selling.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/buy-our-product-we-have-no-idea-what-were-selling/) What do you think of our confusing non-descriptive ad copy? We think it’s brilliant. We’re patting ourselves on the back on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience in NYC at the coworking space, Rise NYC. It's hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and foun
We're Market Leaders in Customer Confusion
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/were-market-leaders-in-customer-confusion/) We could offer a simpler explanation of our technology, but if we confuse you we can charge a lot more. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at BsidesSF 2020 in San Francisco. It's hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Olivia Rose, former CISO, Mailchimp. L
Last Chance to Vote for "Most Stressed-Out CISO"
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/last-chance-to-vote-for-most-stressed-out-ciso/) Think you or your CISO has what it take to shoulder all the tension, risk, and security issues of your organization? You may be a perfect candidate for "Most Stressed Out CISO". This episode was recorded in person at Zenefits' offices in San Francisco. It's hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and M
Let's Blow Our Entire Marketing Budget at RSA
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/lets-blow-our-entire-marketing-budget-at-rsa/) Security professionals only think about security one week out of the year, right? So let's drop every single dollar we have budgeted for marketing on the last week of February. Whaddya say? This episode was recorded in person at Intel's offices in Santa Clara, California. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder o
Empowered! Working Together to Pile on the Cyber Guilt
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/empowered-working-together-to-pile-on-the-cyber-guilt/) We can all be more secure if we work together as a team to shame those who don't agree with how we approach security. This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Chris Hatter, CISO, Nielsen. On this week's episode Mike's confused. Let's help h
You're Mistaken. I'm Not Annoying. It's Chutzpah.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/youre-mistaken-im-not-annoying-its-chutzpah/) We're pushing just to the edge of irritation on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience in Tel Aviv on the eve of the 2020 Cybertech conference. Special thanks to Glilot Capital for hosting this event. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and
Revisiting a Whole Career of Cyber Screw Ups
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/revisiting-a-whole-career-of-cyber-screw-ups/) This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Malwarebytes' offices in Santa Clara, California for the Silicon Valley ISSA chapter meeting. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest is Peter Liebert, former CISO, state of California. Peter is now an in
Debunking the Misused "Chased By Bear" Cybersecurity Metaphor
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/debunking-the-misused-chased-by-bear-cybersecurity-metaphor/) We don't want anyone to be caught by the bear on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in person in San Francisco. It is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Elliot Lewis (@ElliotDLew
We Put the FUN in InFunSec
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-put-the-fun-in-infunsec/) We're cranking up the entertainment value on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in person in San Francisco. It is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Adrian Ludwig, CISO, Atlassian. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor, E
We Lower the Security and Pass the Savings on to You
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-lower-the-security-and-pass-the-savings-on-to-you/) We're racing to the bottom in terms of price and security on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in person in San Francisco. It is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Seth Rosenblatt (@sethr), edit
Ah, Here's The Problem. You've Got a Leaky CEO.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/ah-heres-the-problem-youve-got-a-leaky-ceo/) We're waking up the C-suite to the realization that they're the prime target for cyberattacks. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Evanta's CISO Executive Summit in Los Angeles. It is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Gary Hayslip (@ghays
Trust Me, We're Using "Advanced" AI
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/trust-me-were-using-advanced-ai/) We're looking for a good reason to trust your AI on the latest CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Evanta's CISO Executive Summit in San Francisco. It is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week, is Jimmy Sanders (@jf
Isn't That Adorable? Our Little CISO Has An Opinion.
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/isnt-that-adorable-our-little-ciso-has-an-opinion/) We're spoon-feeding "respect" to the CISO on this week's CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week, thanks to Trend Micro, is Jim Shilts, founder, North American DevOps Group. Thanks to this week
Rest Assured, We're Confident Our Security Sucks
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/rest-assured-were-confident-our-security-sucks/) We may not have the protection you want, but what we lack in adequate security we make up in confidence. Sleep better at night after you listen to this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this w
What Security Advice Will Your Family Ignore?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/what-security-advice-will-your-family-ignore/) This Thanksgiving we wish you lots of luck convincing your family members to use a password manager. Would getting them to switch political allegiances be easier? This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Jeff Hudesman, head of information security,
Do's And Don'ts of Trashing Your Competition
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/dos-and-donts-of-trashing-your-competition/) We want to malign our competitors, but just don't know how mean we should be. Miss Manners steps in on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and special guest co-host, Mark Eggleston (@meggleston), CISO, Health Partners Pla
Get Out! The FUD Is Coming from the Inside
All links and images for this post can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/get-out-the-fud-is-coming-from-the-inside/) On this week's CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, we're pointing fingers at practitioners, not vendors, for promoting the FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) scare-a-thon. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Eddie Contreras (@CISOEdwardC), CIS
Say It Loud! I Didn't Read the Privacy Policy and I'm Proud!
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/say-it-loud-i-didnt-read-the-privacy-policy-and-im-proud/) If we don't understand the purpose of a privacy policy, why should we bother reading it? We're claiming the cyber ignorance defense on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week
I'll See Your Gated Whitepaper and Raise You One Fake Email Address
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/ill-see-your-gated-whitepaper-and-raise-you-one-fake-email-address/) We're all in with not wanting "follow up email marketing" on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Ian Amit (@iiamit), CSO, Cimpress. Thanks to this week's pod
Rated #1 in Irresponsible Security Journalism
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/rated-1-in-irresponsible-security-journalism/) No security alert is too small for us to completely misrepresent its severity. The sky is falling on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor, Zix. Zix simplifies administration and reporting with a single management interface. Configuring, deploying, and monitoring email security and unified arch
Cybercrimes Solved in an Hour or Your Next One's Free
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/cybercrimes-solved-in-an-hour-or-your-next-ones-free/) In the real world, cybercrimes just don't get solved as fast as they do on CSI. So we're offering a guarantee. If we don't catch the cyber-perpetrator in an hour (including commercial breaks) we'll make sure you're attacked again. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike J
Mapping Unsolvable Problems to Unattainable Solutions
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/mapping-unsolvable-problems-to-unattainable-solutions/) We're busting out the Cyber Defense Matrix to see what our security program we'll never be able to achieve. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week Sounil Yu (@sounilyu), former chief security scientist for Bank of America and creator of the
Wait… What? Good News in Cybersecurity?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/wait-what-good-news-in-cybersecurity/) On this episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, cybercrime fails and we brag about it. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Geoff Belknap (@geoffbelknap), CISO, LinkedIn. Mike Johnson, co-host, CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, G
Serious Hackers Wear TWO Black Hoodies
All images and links for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/serious-hackers-wear-two-black-hoodies/) We're doubling down and embracing the absolute worst of hacker tropes. Put on your black hoodie and then a second one. Boot up your Matrix screensaver and listen to the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our spo
CISO Confessions: "It's Not You. It's Me."
Links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/ciso-confessions-its-not-you-its-me-/) Vendors are trying to understand why CISOs are ghosting them and sometimes, it really isn't their fault. CISOs accept the blame on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and joining me is special guest co-host Betsy Bevilacqua (@HEALTH
Getting Over Our "Security ≠ Compliance" Obsession
Links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/getting-over-our-security-%e2%89%a0-compliance-obsession/) We repeat "Security ≠ Compliance" so often it's become our mantra. Does anyone pay attention to it anymore? We're unpacking our compulsion to keep saying it on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson
Open this Email for an Exclusive Look at Our Clickable Web Links
All images and links for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/open-this-email-for-an-exclusive-look-at-our-clickable-web-links/) You'll be dazzled by the clickability of our web links on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week Aanchal Gupta (@nchlgpt), head of security for Calibra, Facebook.
Like Fine Wine Our Vendor BS Meter Gets Better with Age
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/like-fine-wine-our-vendor-bs-meter-gets-better-with-age/) The bouquet of this particular vendor BS is a mixture of FUD, unnecessary urgency, and a hint of pecan. Look to your left and grab the spittoon because we don't expect everyone to swallow what you're about to hear on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CIS
If Capital One Listened to Our Podcast They Still Would Have Been Breached
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/if-capital-one-listened-to-our-podcast-they-still-would-have-been-breached/) We guarantee listening to our show would have done absolutely nothing to prevent the Capital One breach. We've consulted our lawyers and we feel confident about making that claim. It's all coming up on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in the ExtraHop booth during Black Hat
Improve Security By Hiring People Who Know Everything
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/improve-security-by-hiring-people-who-know-everything/) If you're having a hard time securing your infrastructure, then maybe you need to step up the requirements for expertise. Why not ask for everything? We're offering unreasonable advice on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at ADAPT's CISO Edge conference in Sydney, Au
Just Click "Accept" As We Explain Informed Consent
Find all images and links for this episode on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/just-click-accept-as-we-explain-informed-consent/) Even if you do give "informed" consent, do you really understand what we're doing with your data? Heck, we don't know what we're going to do with it yet, but we sure know we want a lot of it. It's all coming up on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founde
Who Are the Perfect Targets for Ransomware?
All images and links for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/who-are-the-perfect-targets-for-ransomware/) If you've got lots of critical data, a massive insurance policy, and poor security infrastructure, you might be a perfect candidate to be hit with ransomware. This week and this week only, it's an extortion-free episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark M
Passwords So Good You Can't Help But Reuse Them
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/passwords-so-good-you-cant-help-but-reuse-them/) We've just fallen in love with our passwords we just want to use them again and again and again. Unfortunately, some companies more interested in security aren't letting us do that. We discuss on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Me
Please Don't Investigate Our Impeccable Risk Predictions
All links and images for this episode can be found at CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/please-dont-investigate-our-impeccable-risk-predictions/) It's easy to calculate risk if no one ever checks the accuracy of those predictions after the fact. It's all coming up on CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Bob Huber (@bonesrh),
CISO Series One Year Review
Links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/defense-in-depth-ciso-series-one-year-review/) The CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast is now more than a year old. On this episode, the hosts of both podcasts, reflect on the series and we respond to listeners critiques, raves, and opinions. Check out this post and this post for the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the creator of CISO Series and
Worst Question Award Goes to "How Secure Are We?"
Images and links for this episode can be found at CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/worst-question-award-goes-to-how-secure-are-we/) We've got better ways to determine the overall quality of your security posture than asking this unanswerable question. It's all coming up on CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Helen Patton (@osucisohel
You're Not Going Anywhere Until You Clean Up That Cyber Mess
The images and links for this episode can be found at CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/youre-not-going-anywhere-until-you-clean-up-that-cyber-mess/) Our CISOs and Miss Manners have some rules you should follow when leaving your security program to someone else. It's all coming up on CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is newly free agen
We Take Privacy, Not Our CISO, Seriously
All pictures and links for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-take-privacy-not-our-ciso-seriously/) We're looking for the one company brave enough to say they don't care about privacy on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode was recorded live on June 6th at The B.O.B. in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the 2019 West Michigan IT Summit, hosted by C3 Technology Advisors. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer
Do These Jeans Make My Vulnerabilities Look Too Big?
Full episode with images and links available at CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/do-these-jeans-make-my-vulnerabilities-look-too-big/) We're starting to get a little self-conscious that our vulnerabilities are starting to show. People we don't even know are telling us we have them on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this
Great Demo! Let's Schedule a Time to Ignore Your Follow Up
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/great-demo-lets-schedule-a-time-to-ignore-your-follow-up/) We're playing hard to get on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This episode is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series and founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Al Ghous, head of cloud security at GE Digital. Thanks to this week's podcast sponsor Carbon Black
We Unleash Our Military Grade InfoSec BS Detector
Find all images and links for this episode on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/we-unleash-our-military-grade-infosec-bs-detector/) We're trying to clean up vendor pitches of unnecessary and outrageous claims so they can sail through to a CISO's inbox. It's our service to cybersecurity community on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show was recorded live in front of an audience of CISOs and security vendors at the San Francisco CISO Executive Summit, hosted
What's Worse?! "Culture of No" or No Culture?
See all links and images for this episode on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/whats-worse-culture-of-no-or-no-culture/) We want to put an end to InfoSec negativity, but not at the sacrifice of the soul of the company. We're weighing our options on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Sean Catlett, CISO of Reddit.
Our "What Not to Do" Security Selling Secret
Check out all links and images for this episode on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/our-what-not-to-do-security-selling-secret/) We're not always clear on what vendors should do when selling security products, but when we get a really bad email pitch, we're very clear on what they should not do. We're bedazzled with bad pitch disbelief on this episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. Thanks to this week's sponsor, Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) Women in Security and Privac
We're Gonna Run These Pen Test Exercises Until You Turn Purple
Find all the links and images on CISO Series (https://cisoseries.com/were-gonna-run-these-pen-test-exercises-until-you-turn-purple/) We learn to iterate our security stamina faster by bringing the attackers and defenders in the room together. We're seeing purple on this episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Matt Southworth (@bron
Vulnerability Management
This is a special episode of Defense in Depth being shared on this feed. Find the full post with links and images on the CISO Series site here (https://cisoseries.com/defense-in-depth-vulnerability-management/) So many breaches happen through ports of known vulnerabilities. What is the organizational vulnerability in vulnerability management? Check out this post and discussion and this one for the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the crea
I'm Humbled to Tell You About My Prestigious Award
Find the full episode of this podcast (with links and images) on the CISO Series site right here: (https://cisoseries.com/im-humbled-to-tell-you-about-my-prestigious-award/) I'm not exactly sure what "humbling" means, but I'm going to use it to hopefully soften my braggadocio announcement. We discuss semantics and when it's OK to boast your accomplishments on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (
No Shirt. No Security. No Merger.
Episode available on CISO Series blog (https://cisoseries.com/no-shirt-no-security-no-merger/) Sure, we'd like to merge with your company but geez, have you looked at your security posture lately? Uggh. I don't know if I could be seen in public with your kind let alone acquire your type. We're wary as to who wants to enter our digital home on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder
Machine Learning Failures
Full post for this episode (https://cisoseries.com/defense-in-depth-machine-learning-failures/) NOTE: You're seeing this special episode of Defense in Depth, because we think our CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast listeners should hear it. Is garbage in, garbage out the reason for machine learning failures? Or is there more to the equation? Check out this post and discussion for the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the creator of C
All Aboard the 5G Paranoia Train
The direct link to this episode (https://cisoseries.com/all-aboard-the-5g-paranoia-train/) We're getting excited and stressed out about the impending 5G network that appears will control our lives and all our cities. Will it be as exciting, productive, and lacking of security protocols as we expect? We discuss that and more on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solu
Do You Know the Secret Cybersecurity Handshake?
Direct link for episode on blog (https://cisoseries.com/do-you-know-the-secret-cybersecurity-handshake/) We get the feeling that as we're adding more solutions and requiring more certificates, we're just making the problem of security harder and harder. Has the problem of not enough talent become an issue that we created? We discuss that and more on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), foun
If At First You Don't Succeed, There's Always Blackmail
Direct link for episode on blog (https://cisoseries.com/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-theres-always-blackmail/) We note that blackmail has become an option even in cybersecurity sales. It appears some vendors have become so desperate that they've resorted to borderline criminal activity. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Branden Newman, CISO for Adidas. Thanks to this week's spons
When Abusing Our Privacy, Does Size Matter?
Do the biggest tech companies abuse our privacy because they have no competitive incentive to protect it? That debate and more on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Emilio Escobar (@eaescob), head of information security for Hulu. Endgame makes military-grade protection as easy as anti-virus. Their converged endpoi
We’re Releasing Security Studies of Made Up Numbers
Since no one ever checks a research study's methodology, why not just make up all the numbers? You're in the risk analysis business, right? Chances are very good they'll never check and research studies are a great way to get free press. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our guest this week is Melody Hildebrandt (@mhil1), CISO of FOX. Thanks to this week's sponsors, Axonius and New Context. New Contex
A Pesticide-Free Podcast Made with 'All Natural' Intelligence
We eschew those cybersecurity firms touting claims of artificial intelligence for our organic conversation-based approach to podcasting. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Mike Wiacek (@Mikewiacek), co-founder and CSO for Chronicle. Thanks to this week's sponsor, Chronicle Chronicle’s Backstory is a global security telemetry platform for investigation and threat hunting
You Get a Private Network! You Get a Private Network!
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and series is available at CISOSeries.com. We're giving away private networks to everybody. Even if you think you don't need one, you want one. It's all on this week's episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson. Our sponsored guest this week is Francis Dinha, CEO of OpenVPN. Thanks to this week's sponsor, OpenV
Productivity Tip! Get More Done By Refusing To Do Anything
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. We tip our hat to the much maligned "Department of No" for having the foresight to see that refusing service is probably the most efficient and secure response. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this week is April Wright (@AprilWright), CEO, ArchitectSecurity.org. Thanks to our sponsor, Endgame
We’re 99% Sure Our Malware Protection Will Fail 1% of the Time
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. Do you want a security vendor that’s good at protecting you from malware or a vendor that’s honest with you about their failure rates? Whatever happens you’ll take it on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast recorded live in NYC for the NY Information Security Meetup (@NYInfoSecurity). Thanks for hosting our recording! This super-sized special episode features drop-in co-host, John Prok
We're Selling Your Data at Unbeatable Prices
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. We've got so much data we've got to liquidate. Whatever private information you want - location, purchase history, private messages - we've got it! Call us now before our users realize what we're doing. Your privacy, unleashed, on the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. Create an economical and secure private network for your company with OpenVPN. Used by Fortune 500 companies and IT, A
We're the Ellen of Cybersecurity Podcasts
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. We're comparing ourselves to media you already know in hopes you'll better understand our product and listen to our show. It's our first self-produced live recording of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast from San Francisco and it came out awesome. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest for
Introducing Defense in Depth: Security Metrics
Our new podcast, Defense in Depth, is part of the CISO Series network which can be found at CISOSeries.com. This is a special episode introducing this new podcast. To get more of Defense in Depth, subscribe to the podcast. What are the most important metrics to measure when building out your security program? One thing we learned on this episode is those metrics change, as your security program matures. This episode of Defense in Depth is co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the creator of CI
You're the Expert, You Figure Out Our Software
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. We don't have to make our software any simpler to use. You just need to get smart enough to use it. We're all attitude on the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our sponsored guest this week is Mike Nichols (@hmikenichols), VP of product at E
Get Out! The Data Leak Is Coming from the Inside
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. Be afraid. Be very afraid of the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast where it's possible that 90 percent of your security breaches are coming from within your own company. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this week is Leon Ravenna, CISO, KAR Auction Services. Synack
Shoving Money Down Security's Bottomless Pit
No matter how much money we shove into security, it never seems to fill up. That's good for vendors. Not so good for buyers of security who don't have a bottomless pit of money to fill the bottomless pit of security. This week's episode is sponsored by Red Canary. Red Canary is a security operations ally to organizations of all sizes. They arm customers with outcome-focused solutions that can be deployed in minutes to quickly identify and shut down adversaries. Follow their blog for access to
Real Housewives of Cybersecurity
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series is available at CISOSeries.com. We're clawing each other's eyes out in the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this week is Darren Death (@darrendeath), VP of InfoSec, CISO, ASRC Federal. Special thanks to Virtru for sponsoring this episode. As a reader, I know yo
America's Next Top Data Privacy Violator
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series can be found at CISOSeries.com. A newly proposed provision in the Consumer Data Protection Act (CDPA) could result in jail time for intentional data privacy violations. We're not scared. We're still peeping into your digital lives on the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. O
A 'Single Pane of Glass' for Ignoring Vendor Pitches
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. Tired of deleting pages of vendor pitches? Wouldn't it be more efficient if you could see them altogether on one screen so you could simply choose which ones to ignore? We're improving vendor non-engagement efficiency in the latest installment of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Joh
The Latest Unnecessary Stats on Marginal Security Threats
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. If we let you know that 90 percent of break-ins happen because of a little known threat we happen to mitigate, you'd purchase our product, right? Ignore basic security practices as you listen to the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our sponsor
We Turn Our Backs on Cybersecurity Rock Stars
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. We're no longer buying their albums because we've had enough of the "can do no wrong" toxic culture of cybersecurity rock stars. On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast we are elevating the little known indie InfoSec professionals. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this wee
We'd Feel Safer if This Legitimate Email Was a Phishing Attack
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. Why is our financial institution sending us an email suggesting we click on a link to log into our account? On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast we educate your customers and your marketing department about suspicious looking emails. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest thi
Is This a Vendor Dinner or an Escape Room?
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. Why were we brought to this event? Why can't we leave? I don't think we have enough clues to get out of this vendor meeting. We struggle to remember our safe word in the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this week is Richard Seiersen
STAND BACK! We're Plugging In USB Drives We Found on the Ground
CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast and Series has moved to CISOSeries.com. We gear up in HAZMAT suits and get ready for some dangerous USB drive analysis. We're taking all precautions on the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our sponsored guest this week is Dean Sysman (@DeanSysman), CEO of Axonius. Enormous thanks to
We Get to Know Our Bodies and Our Security Program
We're just a bunch of immature teenagers who can't seem to control ourselves or our security program. We're definitely exploring new solutions in the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guests this week is Michael Makstman, CISO of the City and County of San Francisco. Enormous thanks to our sponsor this week, Axonius, si
Why it’s Critical for CISOs to Proactively Engage with Vendors
This is a bonus episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast with former guest, Allan Alford, CISO of Mitel, who was also the subject of a story I wrote in September entitled "One CISO's Grand Experiment to to Engage with Security Vendors." At that end of that discussion, Alford and I agreed that I would follow up with him in a month to see how the experiment went. This conversation is that story. Find the full article here.
CHEAT! Best Practices to Win at Monopoly and Security
Check out more at our site CISOseries.com. We don't play fair and we're not ashamed to admit it. This week's episode of the podcast is super-sized because it was recorded in front of a live audience at the Silicon Valley Code Camp conference held at PayPal in San Jose. This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guests this week for the live show were Ahsan Mir (@ahsanmir), CISO, Autodesk and G
We Acknowledge We've Received and Are Ignoring Your Support Ticket
Our CISOs don't have much confidence they'll receive any support when they hit the 'Send' button on your web form. Check out our NEW SITE: CISOseries.com This show, like all the previous ones is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder of Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft. Our guest this week is Aaron Peck, CISO of Shutterfly. Special thanks to our sponsor, ConnecTech, producer of intimate custom executive events for IT professionals. Executives: Register to be notified w
How to Help Your Best Employees Leave
In such a hyper-competitive market for security talent, the natural inclination would be to try everything you can to keep your best employees. Unfortunately, even when you do everything right, your best employees just get up and leave. Can you and should you fight it? Or should you go out of your way to make the exit as smooth as possible for your staff? What's the benefit to you when they do leave? On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, we discuss: 10-second securit
I Wish I Didn't Post That... But I'm Glad I Did
We admit we've posted some rather embarrassing posts on social media. In particular, my co-host, Mike Johnson, talks about a post he initially regretted, but then realized it's what brought all of us together. In fact, it's a post that initiated much of the discussion we're having today about the relationships between CISOs and security vendors. On this week's episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, we discuss: A CISO that eagerly wants to talk to security vendors: CISO of Mit
Our All White Male Panel Discusses Diversity in Cybersecurity
With absolutely no irony three white men discuss the value of diversity in cybersecurity in the latest episode of CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast. So before you tell me we're three white men talking about diversity, I'm letting you know ahead of time we're three white men talking about diversity. We have no shame! On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, we debate the following: Microsoft Office macros still top the malware attack vector charts: After apparent
Our Latest Product Release Includes Shiny New Security Vulnerabilities
We have an exciting announcement. Our latest version of the podcast is packed with new features and they're riddled with security holes. We know you wanted the features. The security vulnerabilities are just a bonus. On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast, we discuss: Cybersecurity burnout: How bad is it? What can be done to mitigate it? And what are the warning signs? All tech professionals have burnout issues, but InfoSec has it toughest because it's very hard for th
Security Made the Mess. They Should Clean It Up.
Security is suffering from a serious Rodney Dangerfield "I get no respect" problem. What has often been seen as the department of "no" is struggling under that brand image. That's probably because security is often seen as an inhibitor rather than an enabler. If InfoSec wants to fix that perception, it'll be their responsibility to dig themselves out. Here's what you'll hear on the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast: Nobody thinks security is their friend: How can s
BONUS: What's So Awesome About Being a CISO?
This is an extra segment we recorded with Dan Glass, former CISO, American Airlines for our last episode. It didn't make it into the last episode, but I thought it was still worthwhile to release as a short bonus mini episode of only four minutes. As always, the show includes myself, David Spark, founder, Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO, Lyft. Enjoy.
Job Opportunity: Unqualified AND Underpaid
We spend a good portion of this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast mocking unrealistic job listings that ask for too many unnecessary credentials and on top of it aren't willing to pay a fair market rate. Did companies forget that it's a buyers' market right now in security? On this episode of the podcast we discuss: The security semantics of "responsibility" vs. "accountability": Which one drives which behavior? And it is possible to try to compel one to the detriment of
How CISOs Stay Current When They're Ignoring Vendor Pitches
We promise to keep your identity private while we discuss the troubles of two-factor authentication. On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast we discuss: Why don't more people use two-factor authentication? Does the UX still suck? Why can't we agree on a common model for how to authenticate? Will U2F be the saving grace for 2FA? Story on the debate. What are the signs your employees are going rogue? We debate the need to monitor employees this way. Are internal intrusio
Use Your CRM. CISOs Are Tired of Repeating Themselves.
Just because you have a new salesperson, doesn't mean you have to restart the sales process. If you've been properly entering information into your CRM, you shouldn't have to. On this episode of the podcast we discuss: Are you ready for...Black Hat: Techniques to get the most value out of the conference. We've got some really good post-conference suggestions. What do you think of this pitch? We have one of those follow up pitches that just rubs CISOs and security professionals the wrong way. It
Ultra Enhanced Deluxe AI with a Drop of Retsyn
Just like so many security products are infused with artificial intelligence, we've also got plenty of meaningless modifiers to describe this podcast. On this episode we've got: First 90 Days of a CISO. How do you assess talent already there, and how do you prioritize the new hires you need? Please, Enough! No, More! We delve into the overexposure of AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning. Are they the same thing? And what do CISOs actually want to hear more about on both of these to
How to Choose a Bad Security Product
If I knew more about your current security needs, I'd probably be able to tell you what security product to buy. But that would require me to spend time understanding your needs and this podcast is only 30 minutes long. Instead, we decided to uncover the universal truths of what security product you shouldn't buy. In this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship podcast, we uncover failed CISO product purchases plus: Do temporary dips in hacker attacks change your security posture? What
We Have the Silver Bullet for BS Detection
We're fed up with vendors who think they can detect any breach, but we're not fed up with breach detection. On this week's episode: Are millennials excited or not excited about working in security? Supposedly, nine percent of all millennials are interested in a job of security. Is that good news/bad news/misrepresented news? (Read the story) Haroon Meer's amazingly open story of the money Thinkst spent at RSA 2018. Was it worth it? Great advice for anyone else sponsoring a big tech conference.
Is Password2 More Secure Than Password1?
Are you managing your passwords the same today as you did five years ago? On this episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship podcast, we discuss the changing landscape of what we once thought were best practices, but aren't anymore. On this episode: Which CEOs are more fatalistic about inevitability of cyber attacks Explaining cyber risks to the board Reappropriating the word "hacker." My cartoon that spurned a debate and Rick McElroy of Carbon Black's discussion on LinkedIn. What we're
Stop Asking CISOs if They Care about Security
Want to get under a CISO's skin? Ask them if they have a concern for security in their environment. It's like asking a chef if they're concerned about preparing food. In this week's episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast we learn how the following: Dumbest mistakes you can make as a CISO What to do on day 1 when you're a CISO Why is everyone talking about this now? Questioning a CISO's job interests. Please, Enough. No, More on GDPR. We critique a vendor pitch. And "Ask a CISO
Katy Perry Recommends Two-Factor Authentication
Did Katy Perry provide sound security advice, or didn’t she? You’ll have to listen to the latest episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast to find out. In this episode: A Third of UK Organizations Have Sacked Employees for Data Breach Negligence Younger Employees Identified as ‘Main Culprits’ of Security Breaches Who has your CEO’s credentials? – by Robert Herjavec, one of the sharks on “Shark Tank” NEW Segment: Please, Enough. No, More. This week we talk about identity manage
Your ‘Go-To Source’ for Unnecessary Cyber Terror Alerts
On this week’s episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship podcast we ask, “What good is a security alert if there’s no actionable item?” As always, the show is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder, Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO, Lyft. Our guest this week is Wendy Nather (@wendynather), director, advisory CISOs, Duo Security. On this episode, you’ll learn: Flex your incident response muscles. Does your cybersecurity policy change around high-profile events? What’s
CISOs Don’t Care About Your Funny Sales Pitch
Don’t bother trying to craft a potentially clever, funny and adorable email that you hope will tickle a security practitioner; it’s simply not going to work. When it comes to security pitches, practitioners just want the facts. While humor is appreciated, a cold email pitch is not the time to showcase your creative writing skills. As always, the show is hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), founder, Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO, Lyft. Our guest this week is Jeremiah Grossman (@je
Security Vendors Buy Their First Pack of Condoms
After tackling some dodgy audio issues, we have released the second episode of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship podcast with our guest Kip Boyle (@KipBoyle), CEO of Cyber Risk Opportunities. Subscribe to Kip’s podcast. As always, the show is hosted by myself, David Spark (@dspark), Founder, Spark Media Solutions and Mike Johnson, CISO, Lyft. In this episode, “Security Vendors Buy Their First Pack of Condoms”: 10-second security tip. Amazon Alexa hacked or just a failure of the technology
A Privacy Policy Written in English (Introducing the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast with Mike Johnson and David Spark)
I’m proud and excited to announce the launch of the CISO/Security Vendor Relationship Podcast based on the series of articles and videos I produced that examine the relationship between security buyers and sellers. That series was heavily inspired by the writings, posts and insane engagement that Mike Johnson, CISO of Lyft, continues to drive on LinkedIn. And what’s even more awesome, Mike agreed to be my co-host! For our first episode, Mike and I invite Dwayne Melançon (@ThatDwayne), CTO, Innov