CISO Series Podcast You Can't Fall Behind in AI if You Never Start
Dec 2, 2025
Join John Barrow, CISO of JB Poindexter & Co., as he navigates the realm of AI security and discusses the importance of training existing talent over hiring externally. He emphasizes the value of building long-term vendor relationships and the need for businesses to shift from reactive to strategic security practices. John also addresses the balance between usability and strict authentication, alongside creative approaches to vendor negotiations with startups. His insights redefine how security leaders can advance their capabilities in a rapidly evolving landscape.
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Cancelable Service That Won't Release You
- David described canceling a business service that continued sending billing emails despite repeated cancellations.
- He used the phrase "you 1,000% suck" to express frustration at the provider's broken cancellation flow.
Build AI Security Talent Internally
- Build AI security expertise by training existing engineers who already use AI rather than only hiring rare specialists.
- Internal hires retain context and send a strong signal that you invest in your team, though external hires speed up adoption.
Speed Determines Hiring Strategy
- Moving fast on AI may require hiring externally if you need immediate capability and cannot free internal cycles.
- The choice depends on organization size and how quickly you must adopt AI security measures.