Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX

Join Jeremiah Grossman, founder of WhiteHat Security and venture capitalist, as he shares his thrilling journey from hacker to cybersecurity entrepreneur. He recounts breaking into Yahoo Mail, and discusses founding WhiteHat Security, highlighting the importance of a common AppSec language. Jeremiah examines how cybersecurity has evolved into a professional industry, offers advice for budding entrepreneurs on problem-solving, and tackles browser security's challenges in the advertising landscape. He also shares insights on transitioning to venture capital, making it a must-listen for future innovators.

Anand Thangaraju, Field CISO at ePlus Inc., offers insightful perspectives from his journey in cybersecurity. He explores the multifaceted role of a CISO, emphasizing the balance between business acumen and technical expertise. Anand discusses the rising threat landscape, focusing on browser-based vulnerabilities and AI's role in defense. He shares advice on securing board approval for cybersecurity investments and stresses the importance of mentorship for aspiring leaders. His closing thoughts encourage a continuous quest for knowledge and growth in the ever-evolving field.

In this episode, Andre Shori, CISO at Schneider Electric, shares his thoughts about building security culture, incidence response, as well as the evolving role of technology, including AI, in defending against sophisticated cyber threats. Hosted by Aleksandra from the SquareX founder’s office, this episode offers a glimpse into the thought process behind a CISO whose duty is to safeguard the enterprise and stakeholders. 0:00 Introduction and Andre’s route to being a cybersecurity leader6:40 Cultivating security culture with a risk-informed approach (as opposed to compliance for its own sake)18:23 How to stay ahead of attackers24:05 Communicating a breach to stakeholders and the benefits of sharing intelligence34:30 Andre’s thoughts on securing the browser and the implications of AI41:00 Approaching data leakage from a data management perspective44:55 On insider threats: trust + technological backstop47:44 Andre’s thoughts on malicious extensions, “free services” and how mistakes improve security culture52:50 Making security culture part of the company DNA55:53 Three pieces of advice for aspiring CISOs, closing thoughts🔔 Follow Andre and Aleksandra on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreshori/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

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.