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In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones interviews Bridget O'Connor, Managing Partner at Fortalice. Bridget shares her journey in cybersecurity, starting from her early days at the White House, where she was involved in the transition between the Bush and Obama administrations. She recounts her experiences working with Theresa Peyton, the founder of Fortalice, and how they built the company from the ground up. The discussion delves into the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the importance of human-centered design in cybersecurity, and the need for continuous education and training for cybersecurity professionals. Bridget emphasizes the significance of protecting personal and corporate digital footprints and the role of proactive measures in cybersecurity. The episode concludes with insights into the culture at Fortalice and the importance of building genuine relationships in the industry.

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast as a source for cyber leadership and life skills, rather than focusing on incidents and breaches. He welcomes guest Jason Cenamor, the Chief Community Officer of the CISO Society, and invites him to introduce himself. Guest Highlights: Background: Jason Cenamor is based in Chicago and originally from the UK. He has a background in the event industry and technology. Key Contributions: - Founder of the CISO Society, a community for CISOs to discuss issues without vendor influence. - The CISO Society has grown to over 1200 members. -Jason emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for CISOs to share and collaborate. -He also started a CIO Society but found more engagement and value in the CISO community. Main Topics Covered CISO Society: - Origin and evolution of the CISO Society. - The importance of a vendor-free space for CISOs to discuss and share. - The community's growth and engagement strategies. - Event Industry Insights: - Jason's disillusionment with traditional event models that prioritize vendor interests over attendee value. - The creation of the CISO Society as a response to these issues. Startup Showcase: - Introduction of the Startup Showcase to connect CISOs with vetted startups. - The process of CISO nominations for startups to ensure valuable engagements. CISO Role Evolution: - The increasing importance of the CISO role in organizations. - The need for CISOs to be involved in strategic decision-making. - The potential future of the CISO role, including its relationship with the CIO role. Advice for CISOs: - Avoid getting caught up in negativity and focus on finding solutions. - The importance of community and support among CISOs.

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast as a source of wit and wisdom in cybersecurity. He emphasizes the focus on sharing lessons and experiences in leadership and life rather than delving into breaches and incidents. The guest for this episode is Diana Davis, the founder of Code Like a Girl, a keynote speaker, and a podcaster. Guest Highlights Background: Diana Davis initially pursued a career as a math teacher but discovered her passion for computing and cryptography during her university years. She completed a master's degree in cybersecurity at the University of Waterloo and worked at Blackberry, where she contributed to mobile cybersecurity and cryptography. Key Contributions: Developed cryptographic algorithms and protocols at Blackberry.Founded Code Like a Girl, a publication on Medium aimed at empowering women in tech.Advocates for women in technology and shares her experiences through blogging and public speaking. Main Topics Covered Diana's Career Journey: Transition from aspiring math teacher to cybersecurity expert, her work at Blackberry, and her move into leadership roles. Challenges and Experiences: Facing and overcoming gender biases in the tech industry, dealing with a toxic work environment, and the importance of support systems. Code Like a Girl: The inception and growth of the publication, its mission to amplify women's voices in tech, and the impact it has had. Advice for Women in Tech: Encouragement to believe in themselves, the importance of having a support network, and strategies for dealing with workplace challenges. Leadership and Mentorship: Insights into effective leadership, the significance of allyship, and the role of mentorship in career development. Work-Life Balance: The importance of managing stress, finding balance, and the role of family and community support in achieving career success.

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast's unique approach to discussing cybersecurity, focusing on the softer side of life rather than constant breach analysis. He welcomes Bill Harmer, the operating partner and CSO at Craft Ventures, to the show. Guest Highlights Bill Harmer's Background: Operating partner and CSO at Craft Ventures. Key Contributions: Provides virtual CISO services to early-stage companies. Offers expertise in strategy, privacy, and incident response. Conducts technical due diligence on investments. Manages IT and security for Craft Ventures. Main Topics Covered Role of a Virtual CISO: Differences between a real CISO and a virtual/fractional CISO, including responsibilities and challenges. Common Mistakes by Founders: Over-caution in security, early implementation of SOC 2, and the importance of securing code. Security Strategy: Balancing security and usability, focusing on business needs, and the importance of understanding the business to build effective security programs. AI in Security: The potential of AI to revolutionize security by managing vast amounts of data and making complex decisions. Personal Experiences: Bill's adventures, including a trip to Everest and scuba diving in Tahiti, and their impact on his perspective on risk and security.

In this episode of Cyber 909, host Den Jones introduces the podcast as a source of wit and wisdom in cybersecurity. He highlights the unique insights and stories brought by various guests. This episode features Mandeep Khera, who has a rich background in Silicon Valley, having worked at HP and various startups, and has been in the cybersecurity space for over two decades. Main Topics Covered: Career Transition and Growth: Mandeep discusses his deliberate move into cybersecurity and the importance of taking lower roles to gain domain expertise. Marketing Challenges: The evolving role of marketing in cybersecurity, the impact of the economy on marketing budgets, and the increasing importance of data-driven strategies. AI in Cybersecurity: The potential and challenges of AI in the cybersecurity industry, including its use in marketing and security solutions. Industry Buzzwords: The overuse of terms like "AI/ML" and "NextGen" and the need for vendors to clearly articulate their value propositions. CISO Role Evolution: The increasing business responsibilities of CISOs and the importance of their involvement in digital transformation initiatives. Key Security Concerns: The significance of identity management, software development lifecycle, and API security, with a focus on the vulnerabilities and solutions in these areas. Advice for Professionals: Tips for tech founders, marketing professionals, and junior security personnel, emphasizing resilience, prioritization, and networking.

In this insightful conversation, Mel Reyes, a Recovering CISO/CIO with 30 years in IT, shares his wisdom on navigating the high-stress environment of cybersecurity. He addresses the challenges of burnout and emphasizes the importance of self-care for leaders. Mel explores personal branding, encouraging authenticity over traditional norms, and stresses the power of ambitious goal setting and visualization. Listeners are inspired to reflect on their life choices and pursue happiness while balancing professional demands.

Join industry power couple Michelle Raguth McBain, Global VP at SonicWall, and Jay McBain, Chief Analyst, as they dive into the evolving world of cybersecurity. They discuss the critical importance of partnerships between vendors and Managed Service Providers, and how millennials are reshaping tech decisions. The conversation highlights the necessity for collaboration to address modern cybersecurity threats and the role of diversity in tech innovation. Don't miss their insights on navigating the complexities of today's digital landscape!

Aaron Wurthmann, Advisory CISO at 909Cyber, brings over 25 years of experience in IT and security. He shares humorous anecdotes from his extensive career and discusses the challenges of naming companies while enjoying some vinyl music. The duo delves into the influence of the iconic TR-909 drum machine on music, reflecting on collaboration's importance in both music and technology. They also tackle essential cybersecurity strategies, recruitment insights, and how to safeguard personal data in today's job market.