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In this episode of Cyber 909, hosted by Den Jones, the focus is on cybersecurity and related topics. Den introduces his guest, Tony Bradley, a senior contributor at Forbes and managing editor at Security Buzz, who has extensive experience in cybersecurity content and marketing. Main Topics CoveredEvolution of the Cybersecurity Industry: [03:38]- Positive innovations and the trend towards platformization. [04:06]- The challenge of new attack vectors and the cat-and-mouse game in cybersecurity. [05:18]- The impact of buzzwords on marketing and the importance of clear messaging. [09:03]Marketing Strategies in Cybersecurity:- The importance of maintaining marketing efforts, even during economic downturns. [13:28]- The role of AI in augmenting and streamlining marketing tasks. [15:43]- Differentiating a brand in a crowded market by focusing on unique value propositions. [18:15]Impact of AI on Marketing: [15:43]- AI as a tool to assist with content creation, ideation, and market trend analysis. [25:44]- The limitations of AI in generating truly creative and thought-provoking content. [25:44]- The potential for AI to replace certain job functions in the future, but not entirely eliminating industries. [29:32]Practical Advice for Startups and Founders: [13:13]- The necessity of a strong marketing strategy. [13:28]- The value of using AI tools intelligently to enhance marketing efforts. [15:43]- The importance of clear and differentiated messaging to stand out in the market. [09:03]

OK folks, a special edition that includes a two minute meditation and breathing exercise with our good friend and wellness expert Neda Shakoori.Main Topics CoveredNeda's Career Transition: Discussion on Neda's shift from law and security to wellness consulting, driven by her personal experiences with stress and the need for better wellness practices.Stress Management: The importance of having tools like yoga and meditation to manage high-stress situations, especially in demanding careers.Meditation Exercise: Neda leads a brief meditation exercise to help listeners center and breathe, emphasizing the benefits of such practices.Ayurveda and Personalized Wellness: Neda explains how she uses Ayurveda to tailor wellness practices to an individual's unique constitution, focusing on balancing the elements within the body. [15:21]Nature and Grounding: The benefits of spending time in nature and grounding practices like walking barefoot on natural surfaces. [17:58]Corporate Wellness: The potential for integrating holistic wellness programs into corporate environments to improve employee well-being and productivity. [36:33]Sound Baths: An introduction to sound baths and their benefits for mental and emotional health through the use of specific frequencies and instruments. [40:40]

The episode begins with the host, Den Jones, introducing the Cyber 909 podcast, which focuses on cybersecurity and leadership. This particular episode is part one of a two-part series featuring a panel of five distinguished women in technology and leadership roles. Den emphasizes the unique perspectives and insights that the guests will share, aiming to provide valuable takeaways for the audience. Guest Highlights Shannon Rowbury: A three-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist in track and field, currently a managing partner at West Strategy Group, focusing on performance optimization and leadership. Melissa O'Leary: Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Ford Solutions, a female-led boutique cybersecurity services firm. She has a background serving as the first CIO at the White House under President Bush. Sarah Tenisi: Founder and CEO of Tenisi Tech, a managed services firm specializing in IT strategy, roadmaps, and budgets. Mona Ghadiri: A two-time Microsoft MVP in SIM, XDR, and cloud security, currently a Senior Director of Product at Blue Voyant, specializing in security operations, threat intelligence, and incident response. Sandi Green: Co-founder of Miracle Max Marketing, a growth company that helps early-stage startups with marketing strategies, with a specialty in cybersecurity marketing. Main Topics Covered Advice for Younger Selves: The guests share personal insights and advice they would give to their younger selves, emphasizing the importance of experience, resilience, and accepting imperfections. Challenges and Adversity: The panel discusses overcoming gender-related challenges in the tech industry, offering strategies for dealing with adversity and maintaining self-confidence. Building a Business: The guests provide advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of starting early, leveraging personal networks, and maintaining a clear vision and values. Work-Life Balance: The discussion covers strategies for achieving work-life balance, the importance of prioritization, and the evolving nature of work environments post-COVID. AI in Cybersecurity: The panel explores the potential benefits and risks of AI in cybersecurity, including its impact on threat detection, automation, and the ethical considerations involved.

Introduction Summary: In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast and welcomes guest Jake Bernardes, a seasoned multi-CISO and host of the Risking It All podcast. [00:20] Den highlights Jake's extensive experience in the cybersecurity field and his involvement in the CSO Society group. Guest Highlights: Background: Jake Bernardes is a seasoned multi-CISO and host of the Risking It All podcast. He has a diverse background, having worked in various regions including the UK, US, Far East, and Middle East. Key Contributions: Hosts the Risking It All podcast, focusing on people and leadership topics. [00:53] Currently the CISO at Anecdotes, a GRC automation platform. [14:04] Holds advisory and fractional CISO roles. [31:54] Extensive experience in pen testing, consulting, and working with startups. Known for his expertise in social engineering and cybersecurity strategy. Main Topics Covered: Jake's Background and Journey: Discussion on Jake's career path, including his early interest in computers, university studies in Chinese, and various roles in cybersecurity. [03:51] Role of Compliance in Cybersecurity: Debate on whether compliance equals security, with Jake emphasizing that they are different but both important. [25:40] Cyber Insurance: Jake's critical view on the effectiveness of cyber insurance and its role in the industry. [29:44] CISO's Role and Evolution: Conversation on the evolving role of CISOs, the importance of business acumen, and the need for CISOs to demonstrate value beyond technical expertise. [33:25] Strategic Security Management: Insights into how CISOs can align security strategies with business goals and the importance of being adaptable and creative in problem-solving. [33:25]

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces a special "Ask Us Anything" segment featuring guest Aaron Wurthman. The episode promises to deliver unique insights, stories, and analysis on cybersecurity topics, with a focus on cyber leadership. Main Topics Covered AI in Cybersecurity: Predictions for AI's impact on cybersecurity, including its use by both attackers and defenders. [23:12] Zero Trust Architecture: The ongoing relevance and implementation of zero trust principles in organizations. [25:30] Metrics for Security Programs: Effective metrics for measuring the success of security initiatives. [07:36] Communication with Executives: Strategies for bridging the communication gap between technical teams and the executive suite. [10:25] Minimizing Friction in Security: Approaches to reducing complexity and improving security outcomes without adding friction. Aligning Security with Business Growth: How security strategies can support business objectives like revenue growth and customer satisfaction. [41:41] Emerging Trends: Key trends in cybersecurity that professionals should be prepared for, including AI and zero trust. [23:40] Cyber Insurance: Effective ways to reduce cyber insurance premiums while strengthening security. [56:42]

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones welcomes Jimmy Sanders, the current president of ISSA International and former head of security for Netflix DVD. [00:18] The conversation delves into Jimmy's extensive career in IT security, his educational journey, and the challenges he faced along the way. [02:19] Jimmy shares insights on the importance of passion and perseverance, the role of diversity in the tech industry, and the significance of understanding human psychology in security management. They also discuss the evolution of security practices at Netflix, the concept of freedom and responsibility in the workplace, and the future plans for ISSA under Jimmy's leadership. [01:09] The episode wraps up with advice for aspiring security professionals and a reflection on the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. Main Topics Covered Career Journey: Jimmy's path from flunking out of the University of Houston to becoming a prominent figure in IT security. Motivation and Passion: The importance of finding passion in one's work and the role of psychology in understanding and managing people. Diversity in Tech: Challenges and advice for aspiring black professionals in the tech industry. Leadership at Netflix: Managing a team during Netflix's transition from DVDs to streaming, and the unique challenges of working in an environment where employees are not primarily motivated by money. Security Philosophy: The balance between security measures and user experience, and the importance of layered security defenses. ISSA Initiatives: Future plans for ISSA, including international conferences, the 40th anniversary celebration, and partnerships with other organizations. Mentorship and Community Building: The value of mentorship and the importance of building a supportive community in the cybersecurity industry.

In this episode of Cyber909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast's focus on the softer side of life, including topics like coaching, stress management, and community support. He welcomes back guest Mel Reyes, who previously appeared in episode three, to discuss additional resonant topics they didn't cover in their last conversation. Main Topics Covered Personal and Professional Growth: -The discussion revolves around the importance of taking risks, setting goals, and maintaining a positive mindset to achieve personal and professional success. Emotional Intelligence: Mel and Den talk about the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership and how understanding and managing emotions can lead to better team dynamics and personal fulfillment. Visualization and Gratitude: The episode highlights the power of visualization and gratitude practices in manifesting goals and maintaining a positive outlook on life. Handling Challenges: They discuss how to reframe negative experiences as learning opportunities and the importance of letting go of emotional baggage to move forward. Practical Advice: Mel shares practical tips on creating vision boards, setting achievable goals, and maintaining focus and motivation through various techniques and personal anecdotes.

In this episode of Cyber909, host Den Jones welcomes back Tyler Farrar, CISO at Exabeam. Den highlights the podcast's focus on the softer aspects of cybersecurity, differentiating it from other podcasts that primarily cover breaches. Den invites Tyler to discuss his recent articles and insights on cybersecurity. Main Topics Covered Technology Sprawl in Cybersecurity: - Companies often invest heavily in tools rather than focusing on people and processes. - The importance of foundational elements like asset management and network segmentation. - The need for actionable intelligence from data generated by security tools. CISO Paradox: -The challenge of CISOs being held responsible for security outcomes without having the necessary authority. - The struggle for CISOs to justify budgets and report effectively within their organizations. - The importance of CISOs being part of the executive leadership team to influence business strategy. Future of the CISO Role: - The potential increase in legal responsibilities and personal liabilities for CISOs. - The growing trend of virtual CISOs and the challenges in finding quality CISOs. - The need for better internal marketing and communication skills for CISOs to be seen as business leaders.

In this episode of Cyber909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast's focus on cybersecurity and beyond, emphasizing discussions on emotional health, the future of security, and other off-topic subjects. Den welcomes his guest, Nic Moy, the Chief Security Officer at Scrut Automation, and highlights Nic's extensive background in the security industry, including his work in the Obama administration on cybersecurity policy. Main Topics Covered NIST Cybersecurity Framework: - Nic's involvement in the creation of the framework. - The importance of making the framework outcomes-based rather than prescriptive. - Challenges in developing a widely accepted document with input from various sectors. Security Industry Challenges: - The evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the need for continuous adaptation. - The balance between securing assets and managing resources and budgets. - The importance of identifying and protecting the "crown jewels" of a business. AI in Cybersecurity: - The role of AI and large language models (LLMs) in cybersecurity. - The need for practical applications of AI that solve real problems. - The potential and limitations of AI in enhancing security operations and product development. Vendor Relationships and Solutions: - The importance of vendors understanding the specific needs of their customers. - The challenge of differentiating between useful AI solutions and those that are overhyped. - The need for vendors to provide clear value propositions and support tailored to their customers' requirements. Future of AI and Cybersecurity: - Predictions for the AI industry in the coming year. - The potential for AI to transform underserved areas and improve efficiency in various sectors. - The likelihood of increased consolidation and acquisitions in the AI startup space.

The episode begins with the narrator introducing the podcast "Cyber909," hosted by Den Jones, a veteran chief security officer and CEO of 909Cyber. The podcast promises to deliver unique insights into cybersecurity through guests, stories, opinions, predictions, and analysis. This episode features an "ask us anything" session with Den Jones and Aaron Wurthmann, advisory CISO for 909Cyber. Main Topics Covered: Leadership and Security: Advice for CEOs and CTOs on prioritizing security, including starting security practices early and avoiding unnecessary tool purchases. Company Culture: Building a security-conscious culture from the top down and ensuring security is everyone's responsibility. Common Security Missteps: Observations on common security mistakes in startups and how VCs can address them. Role of 909Cyber: Supporting security leaders during board-level discussions, preparing startups for compliance and regulatory audits, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategic goals. Career Advice: Importance of internships, apprenticeships, and critical skills for entry-level professionals in cybersecurity. Personal Stories: Den Jones' and Aaron Wurthmann's transitions into cybersecurity, including their backgrounds and career journeys.