Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX

It’s not if your enterprise will get hacked, it’s when. In this episode, Shishir Singh, CISO of Advance Intelligence Group, explains what it takes to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. From leveraging AI for anomaly detection and fraud prevention to building a security-first culture that resonates across diverse teams, Shishir provides a behind-the-scenes look at tackling real-world cybersecurity challenges. 0:00 Introduction and Shishir’s work at Advanced Intelligence Group8:55 Harnessing AI for cybersecurity as an AI-powered company12:54 The right way to conduct security awareness training16:45 Insider threat: how a simple mistake led to a ransom demand25:25 If Shishir could implement only one improvement to browser security, it’d be…30:44 On being the company’s interim Data Privacy Officer36:32 Keeping the team motivated throughout challenges41:37 Advice for security leaders and professionals46:08 Closing thoughts and why cyber resilience matters🔔 Follow Shishir and Aleksandra on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shissingh/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Tobias Klingel, Head of Information Security at Aspire, shares his journey from working at multinational corporations like Siemens to navigating the fast-paced startup world. Hosted by Aleksandra from the SquareX Founder’s Office, Tobias shares how his global experiences shaped his approach to cybersecurity and explains the challenges of balancing fast growth with strong security in startups. Whether it’s managing third-party risks, implementing lightweight security solutions, or leveraging AI to enhance productivity, this conversation offers actionable insights for organizations of all sizes.0:00 Tobias’s cybersecurity journey from Siemens to startups7:13 A day in Tobias’s life9:56 Cybersecurity in the financial industry15:35 The most popular cybersecurity attacks on enterprises20:12 Building security culture with internal champions23:34 The benefits and security risks of GenAI30:19 How the browser is today’s largest attack surface41:15 How large companies can improve security posture46:28 Standing out as a job candidate52:41 Are cybersecurity certifications necessary?🔔 Follow Tobias and Aleksandra on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasklingel/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

“Remember, your best champion is your customer, and nothing else. It’s as simple as that.”In this two-part series, Rahul Kashyap (President & CEO at Awake Security, VP/GM & CISO at Arista Networks), shares his thoughts with Vivek and Aleksandra from SquareX. Rahul shares his approach to building companies, the importance of a customer-focused mindset, and provides actionable insights into what it takes to grow  a successful cybersecurity startup. Rahul also discusses the latest trends in cybersecurity, from browser security to the rise of AI, and emphasises the importance of staying positive in a rocky job market. 0:00 Part One with Vivek: Rahul’s cybersecurity and entrepreneurship journey10:48 Advice is overrated; be decisive13:12 Macro trends in cybersecurity startups16:13 Standing out with clarity of value prop, customer success, and execution18:36 On building company culture and the importance of transparency21:50 “Your best champion is your customer”24:03 Challenges in browser security today26:34 AI and cybersecurity: thinking deeper than GenAI and copilots31:58 How the odds are always against defenders and implications for cybersecurity education35:16 Unearthing CISOs’ top-level concerns and opportunities in vulnerability management/DLP40:43 Part Two with Aleksandra: Consistently keep your customer happy44:33 Staying positive in a rocky job market 🔔 Follow Rahul, Vivek and Aleksandra on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rckashyap/https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekramachandran/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

Explore why traditional security solutions fall short against advanced client-side web attacks. Discover how browser-native security can effectively combat threats like phishing and malicious QR codes. The discussion highlights the importance of visibility for security teams and the unique challenges of securing BYOD environments. Innovative strategies are proposed to tackle modern cyber threats, ensuring organizations can better protect themselves in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Varun Kohli, CMO at Cequence Security and an IIT graduate, shares his unique marketing journey from tech to leadership. He discusses how he strategically selects companies to work with, emphasizing the importance of product quality and investor credibility. Varun dives into the power of storytelling in cybersecurity, leveraging data to craft compelling narratives. He also explores AI's transformative role in B2B marketing and stresses the need for marketers to focus on future trends while fostering genuine connections with their audience for long-term success.

Prashant KV, Co-founder of Seasides and a key figure in OWASP’s Bay Area chapter, shares his journey in making cybersecurity education more accessible. He highlights inspiring success stories from the Seasides Conference and discusses the importance of genuine cybersecurity over mere compliance, especially in retail. Prashant also introduces SCA Goat, a tool for identifying vulnerabilities, and explores the creative use of memes to engage audiences in cybersecurity topics. Plus, he delves into browser security and its critical importance in today’s digital landscape.

Aseem Jakhar, co-founder of Nullcon and Hardwear.io, shares his transformation from hotel management to cybersecurity aficionado, sparked by a hacking incident. He stresses the importance of mastering core technologies before specializing. Aseem highlights today’s shifting threat landscape, focusing on client-side risks tied to IoT and AI. He emphasizes community contribution as essential for personal growth and advocates that aspiring security professionals should strive to be generalists to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity.

In this discussion, Varun Srivastava, a cybersecurity leader with a rich background in cryptography and entrepreneurship, shares gripping tales from the front lines of high-stakes breaches. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration to tackle organizational inertia and highlights the unique cybersecurity challenges within financial services. Varun also delves into the rising threats posed by deep fakes and the complexities of securing blockchain. His insights on AI, insider threats, and the need for robust communication in cybersecurity are invaluable for organizations today.

Eifion Jones, a leading cybersecurity recruiter at TENTEN Partners, shares his journey from tech to recruitment and offers insights on the competitive job market. He discusses the critical role of soft skills alongside technical expertise in landing jobs. Eifion highlights differences between recruitment in the UK and Singapore, emphasizing relationship-building. He also provides advice for job seekers on polishing their CVs, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of adapting to evolving technologies and industry requirements.

KK Mookhey, founder of Network Intelligence, shares his inspiring journey from college dropout to cybersecurity entrepreneur. He discusses how he landed his first client through cold-calling and shares pivotal moments, like his presentation at Black Hat. KK emphasizes the complex challenges of scaling a global cybersecurity firm, including building company culture and embracing innovation. He also offers valuable insights on channel partnerships, leadership roles in cybersecurity, and the importance of personal branding for aspiring entrepreneurs.