Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson

Marene Allison, advisory board member for Covenant Technologies, a leading IT and cybersecurity staffing firm, and Balbix, a leading cybersecurity posture automation platform, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. As former Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for Johnson & Johnson, Marene has a magnificent and storied military, technology, health, and life sciences background. Ann and Marene discuss why she decided cyber would be a focal point of her career, what it takes to be a modern CISO today, and what she wishes she had known when she first started her role as CISO.   Resources:    View Marene Allison on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Tim Murck, actor, producer, and co-founder of Flavour, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Tim is a creative entrepreneur passionate about storytelling, gamification, and helping people turn themselves into problem solvers. Ann and Tim discuss the intersection of cyber awareness and storytelling, what led Tim to co-found Flavour and HackShield and why we need to look at cybersecurity as a team sport.  In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why future generations need to better understand cybersecurity  How business leaders can better educate their employees with storytelling  What the origin was for both HackShield and Flavour    Some Questions We Ask:      How can storytelling help the average person understand complex cybersecurity topics?  What experiences and skills do kids learn as they play with HackShield?  Should we change the language and methods of education used in the industry?    Resources:    Join HackShield  Learn more about Flavour View Tim Murck on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Is the world prepared for a future with deepfakes, mis- and disinformation, and other forms of impersonation? Chris Young, Executive Vice President of the Business Development, Strategy, and Venture team at Microsoft, joins Ann to discuss this and more on the next installment of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Chris, who has decades of cybersecurity industry leadership, is now responsible for driving growth across Microsoft by establishing strategic partnerships, setting corporate strategy, and identifying high-impact investments through Microsoft’s corporate venture arm. He also serves on the board of directors for American Express and as a member of the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee for the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (US CISA). Ann and Chris discuss why it's vital for organizations in the security industry to work together, advice he has for leaders that are helping their companies and teams navigate this challenging time, and what trends in security and adjacent industries Chris expects to become more prevalent and relevant.  In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why and how Chris got his start in cybersecurity  Why Chris took the leap to join Microsoft in the midst of a global pandemic  Chris’s point of view on the value and importance of technology ecosystems and the security ecosystem  Some Questions We Ask:      What role did mentors and peer leaders play in shaping who you (Chris) are today?  Why is it so important to have a vibrant cybersecurity startup community?   What advice do you have for founders looking to build and innovate right now?     Resources:    Chris Young on What Work Will Look Like in 2030 View Chris Young on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Chenxi Wang, founder and general partner of Rain Capital, a seed-stage venture fund focused on Cybersecurity, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Dr. Wang, an outspoken advocate for women in tech, was named Women Investor of 2021 and 2019 by CyberRisk Alliance and Women Tech Founders and is a well-known cybersecurity operator, technologist, and thought leader. Ann and Dr. Wang discuss what is impacting current cyber investments, innovations that will shape the next 7-10 years, and the value of diversity, inclusion, and representation in cyber.   In This Episode You Will Learn:       How the market has changed in the last 3-6 months  How founders and CEOs can ensure their companies thrive in the current market conditions  What trends, technologies, or categories in cyber are worth watching   Some Questions We Ask:      Why has cyber been so attractive to investors?  What should you be doing to ensure your company thrives over the next 12 to 18 months?  What can cyber leaders be doing today to improve D&I in the industry?    Resources:    View Chenxi Wang on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Charles Blauner, operating partner and CISO-in-residence at company-building venture group Team8, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Charles is an internationally recognized expert on cyber resiliency, information security risk management, and data privacy. He's had an incredible and prominent career in Security, including being a CISO and Information Security leader at companies like J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and Citi. Ann and Charles discuss the evolution of the CISO role, the qualities they believe all CISOs need to excel, and what the role of CISO will look like 5-10 years from now.  In This Episode You Will Learn:       A brief history and evolution of the CISO role  Qualities and skillsets all CISOs need to excel today  Advice for someone who is newly stepping into the role of CISO  Some Questions We Ask:      What were some of the critical paradigm shifts during the evolution of the CISO role?  What do you think makes a great CISO in today's digital world?  What advice do you have for CISOs making that transition to a key business partner?    Resources:    View Charles Blauner on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Kirsten Davies, chief information security officer at Unilever, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Kirsten is a recognized thought leader, serves on the Board of Governors for the New York Academy of Sciences, and is a Mentor for several non-profits and women's initiatives. The two discuss burnout and stress-related mental-health concerns in cyber, which are, unfortunately, on the rise. Now, security and business leaders alike are concerned that the pressure and responsibility of cyber roles–combined with the rise in cyber-attacks, reduction in resourcing, and other factors–is making cyber a less attractive career path. Ann and Kirsten discuss the importance of personal resilience, factors contributing to the cyber talent shortage, and strategies that leaders can adopt to improve their people's working conditions and well-being.    In This Episode You Will Learn:       Some of the unknown challenges that CISOs and cyber defenders are facing today  What can and should change to make cyber roles and work environments better  What organizations are addressing mental health and well-being best  Some Questions We Ask:      What are some of the factors that may impact our personal resilience?  How can future and current CEOs look to retain quality CISO and cyber defender talent?  What are some of the contributing factors to the cyber talent shortage?   Resources:    Visit Kirsten Davies on Twitter View Kirsten Davies on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Dr. Ryan Louie, a board-certified psychiatrist focusing on the mental health impact of cybersecurity, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. The two discuss the growing issue of mental illness among cybersecurity professionals, the link between psychiatry and security, some of the problems commonly seen, and which aspects of cybersecurity contribute to them.  Disclaimer: The content and views expressed do not constitute medical advice and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you need help, please contact your medical provider. In This Episode You Will Learn:       What may be contributing to the degrading mental health of cyber defenders  How attackers might clinically exploit the mental health of those in cyber  General wellbeing practices and coping methods  Some Questions We Ask:      When did Dr. Louie’s interest in the mental health of cyber security begin, and why?  Are cyber mental challenges magnified or amplified more than in the past?  What can leaders do to support the mental health and well-being of their teams?    Resources:    Article:  “The Psychiatry of Entrepreneurship” by Dr. Ryan Louie Dr. Ryan Louie - Psybersecurity Clinic website Visit Dr. Ryan Louie on Twitter View Ryan Louie on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn   Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

AJ Yawn, Co-Founder and CEO at ByteChek, and a Founding Board Member of the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals, joins Ann this week on Afternoon Cyber Tea to unpack this issue. With more than 700,000 open cybersecurity jobs in the US alone, the cyber industry faces a critical talent shortage. Yet, with this opportunity, many still find it challenging to break into the industry. Ann and AJ discuss the importance of sourcing from broader pools of talent, what skills business leaders should really be looking for, programs and communities that people looking to get into cyber security should be aware of, and how AJ thinks we can drive awareness of the wide variety of roles available in the industry.  In This Episode You Will Learn:       Specific qualities and mindsets that lead to a successful career in cyber  Why it's essential to attract more diverse talent  How someone early in their career can market themselves to potential employers     Some Questions We Ask:      What specific courses or certifications are essential for people to be thinking about?  How can the education system prepare people for careers in cyber?  Why have employers had such a high bar of entry into their cyber programs?    Resources:    View AJ Yawn on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault          Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.    

Sounil Yu, Chief Information Security Officer and Head of Research at JupiterOne, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Ann and Sounil discuss the importance and evolution of cyber resilience and what organizations can do today to build resilience for the future. Sounil is a security innovator with over 30 years of experience creating, breaking, and fixing computer and network systems. He is the creator of the Cyber Defense Matrix and the DIE Resiliency Framework, teaches security as an Adjunct Professor, co-chairs Art into Science: A Conference on Defense, and advises many startups.   In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why we need a new approach to cyber resilience  Who is responsible for cyber resiliency and who should be involved  How organizations can build the agility and ability to stay ahead of cybercriminal    Some Questions We Ask:      What is the responsibility and relationship between CISOs, and board members?  Why is advocating for a new approach to resiliency so important?  What investments should leaders be making to improve their cyber resiliency?    Resources:    View Sounil Yu on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                  Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcastsAfternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.  

Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk, Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Security, top Israeli tech leader, and one of the world's highest-ranking women in the cybersecurity industry joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Michal and Ann discuss what is keeping cyber leaders up at night, why Israel is a worldwide leader in cybersecurity technology, and what investments Microsoft is making to create a more safe and secure future for all.   In This Episode You Will Learn:       A brief history of Israeli cyber innovation  The Microsoft Security CTO perspective on top trends and technologies  The importance of diversity & inclusion in the cybersecurity industry     Some Questions We Ask:      What are some of your favorite examples of Israeli cyber innovation?  Why do you think IoT security is such an essential area of focus?  How should we deal with the current labor shortage in security?    Resources:    View Michal Braverman-Blumenstyk on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:           Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks   Listen to: Security Unlocked    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault    Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcastsAfternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.