EP209 vCISO in the Cloud: Navigating the New Security Landscape (and Don’t Forget Resilience!)
Feb 3, 2025
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Beth Cartier, a former CISO and founder of Initiative Security, dives into the evolving world of cloud security, particularly for small businesses and startups. She discusses the unique challenges and benefits of vCISO roles in the cloud. The conversation highlights the necessity of resilience in cybersecurity and how organizations are adapting to AI and other emerging trends. Cartier also shares valuable insights on elevating security's importance within companies and staying updated on evolving threats, emphasizing continuous learning in the rapidly changing landscape.
Resilience in cybersecurity requires proactive planning and early organizational preparation to effectively address evolving security challenges.
Virtual Chief Security Officers (vCSOs) play a critical role in enhancing security readiness for smaller businesses by providing affordable advisory services.
Deep dives
Understanding Resilience in Cybersecurity
Resilience in cybersecurity refers to an organization's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from security incidents. The podcast highlights the importance of having a clear, concise understanding of resilience, particularly regarding how organizations define it amid evolving security challenges. Preparation, planning, and organization are emphasized as foundational elements of building resilience, suggesting that these aspects should start early, especially for businesses in their nascent stages. The conversation underscores that while organizations may be aware of the need for resilience, translating that into actionable strategies can often be a struggle.
The Role of Virtual Chief Security Officers (vCSOs)
Virtual Chief Security Officers (vCSOs) provide essential security and privacy advisory services, especially for smaller businesses that may not afford a full-time CISO. The podcast emphasizes the gap in security readiness often seen in startups, where the realization of needing a security program tends to occur too late in their development. This delay often results in complex legacy issues that complicate the implementation of effective security measures. The discussion highlights that proactive investment in security can lead to better outcomes and reduced costs down the line.
Cloud Security and Cyber Resilience
Cloud computing fundamentally alters the landscape of cyber resilience by providing tools for better incident management, including more efficient backup solutions and identity management systems. The podcast notes that small companies leveraging cloud services can benefit from integrated security practices that can mitigate risks from the beginning, making security a crucial part of their operational framework. Emphasis is placed on collaboration among IT and security teams to ensure that security is prioritized without hindering business growth. By fostering teamwork and establishing clear ownership of systems, organizations can navigate challenges more effectively.
Leveraging AI for Security Improvements
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents both challenges and opportunities in the realm of cybersecurity, where organizations are increasingly adopting AI tools for various applications. The podcast discusses the potential for AI to improve compliance automation and streamline security processes, although it also raises questions about security and privacy implications. It highlights the need for comprehensive policies and open communication among all teams to effectively harness AI while addressing associated risks. As organizations increasingly turn to AI, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and understanding of these technologies becomes critical for security professionals.
Beth Cartier, former CISO, vCISO, founder of Initiative Security
Guest host of the CISO mini-series:
Marina Kaganovich, Executive Trust Lead, Office of the CISO @ Google Cloud
Topics:
How is that vCISO’ing going? What is special about vCISO and cloud? Is it easier or harder?
AI, cyber, resilience - all are hot topics these days. In the context of cloud security, how are you seeing organizations realistically address these trends? Are they being managed effectively (finally?) or is security always playing catch up?
Recent events reminded us that cybersecurity may sometimes interfere with resilience. How have you looked to build resilience into your security program?
The topic is perhaps 30+ years old, but security needs to have a seat at the table, and often still doesn’t - why do you think this is the case?
What approaches or tips have you found to work well in elevating security within organizations?
Any tips for how cyber professionals can stay up to date to keep up with the current threat landscape vs the threats that are around the corner?