Security Matters

Cybercriminals today operate more like startups than stereotypes—complete with org charts, sprint cycles, and pizza parties to celebrate successful breaches. In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner talks with former CISO and U.S. Air Force veteran Ian Schneller about the evolving sophistication of threat actors and what it takes to stay ahead.From zero-day vulnerabilities and machine identity risks to AI-powered attacks and insider threats, Ian shares practical strategies drawn from his experience in military intelligence, offensive cyber operations, and corporate security leadership. Learn how to build resilience, translate cyber risk into business outcomes, and lead with mission-driven clarity in a threat landscape that never slows down.

What does "secure by default" really mean—and is it enough? In this episode of CyberArk’s Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Scott Barronton, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Diebold Nixdorf, to explore the often-overlooked risks of cloud default settings and how assumptions can lead to vulnerabilities.Drawing on over 25 years in cybersecurity, Scott shares how he balances product and corporate security, leads a global team, and chairs his company’s AI steering committee. He discusses the importance of machine identity management, certificate automation, and building security programs that support both innovation and accountability.Plus, Scott reflects on how his passion for travel—including a group trip to Antarctica—informs his leadership style and security mindset.

What does it take to stay calm in the face of constant cyber pressure—and why does that mindset matter more than ever? In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner speaks with Den Jones, founder and CEO of 909Cyber, about his transition from enterprise chief security officer (CSO) to cybersecurity consultant. They explore what it means to lead with clarity and composure in a high-stakes environment, the realities of launching a firm in a crowded market, and how pragmatic security strategies—especially around identity, AI, and Zero Trust—can help organizations navigate AI-driven threats, talent shortages, and operational complexity. It’s a candid conversation about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to modern security leadership.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Deepak Taneja, co-founder of Zilla Security and General Manager of Identity Governance at CyberArk, to explore why 2025 marks a pivotal moment for identity security. From the explosion of machine identities—now outnumbering human identities 80 to 1—to the convergence of IGA, PAM, and AI-driven automation, Deepak shares insights from his decades-long career at the forefront of identity innovation.Listeners will learn:Why legacy identity governance models are breaking under cloud scaleHow AI agents are reshaping entitlement management and threat detectionWhat organizations must do to secure non-human identities and interlinked dependenciesWhy time-to-value and outcome-driven metrics are essential for modern IGA successWhether you're a CISO, identity architect, or security strategist, this episode delivers actionable guidance for navigating the evolving identity security landscape.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Marene Allison, former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Johnson & Johnson, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on trust, identity, and leadership in cybersecurity. From securing global vaccine supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic to navigating the rise of AI and machine identities, Marene shares hard-earned insights from her decades-long career in national security and the private sector.They explore what it means to be a mission-driven CISO, how to build trust from the boardroom to the front lines, and why identity has always been the true perimeter. Marene also reflects on her post-CISO chapter and the evolving role of cybersecurity leaders in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner welcomes Kevin Bocek, CyberArk SVP of Innovation, for an insightful discussion on the critical role of machine identity in modern cybersecurity. As digital environments become increasingly complex, securing machine identities has never been more crucial.According to the CyberArk 2025 Identity Security Landscape, machine identities now outnumber human identities by more than 80 to 1. As organizations scale cloud workloads and automation, these identities are becoming a critical part of the cybersecurity frontline. From TLS certificate outages to API key exposures, failures in machine identity management can lead to outages, breaches, and cascading system failures. In this episode of Security Matters, Kevin Bocek explains why this moment is pivotal for getting machine identity right—and how Zero Trust principles, automation, and visibility are essential to building cyber resilience.We also explore the future of identity security—from AI kill switches and agentic AI to quantum threats—and how identity can serve as both a safeguard and a kill switch in the age of autonomous systems.Whether you're a cybersecurity professional or simply interested in the latest security trends, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of machine identity in safeguarding our digital world. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Security Matters for more expert discussions on the latest in cybersecurity.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Eric Olden, co-founder and CEO of Strata Identity, and a pioneer in modern identity management. Eric shares his career journey, from founding Simplified to leading Oracle's global identity division, and discusses the critical importance of resilience in identity systems.Discover how organizations can eliminate single points of failure, test their backup plans and ensure their digital operations remain robust even in the face of unexpected outages. Eric also delves into the concept of identity orchestration, explaining how it can unify multiple identity systems and enhance security.Tune in to learn about the latest trends in identity management, including the intersection of AI and identity, and gain insights into how businesses can proactively assess and mitigate risks associated with identity outages.Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical advice and forward-thinking strategies to help safeguard your organization's identity infrastructure.

In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner, dives into the world of evolving cyberthreats with Bryan Murphy, Senior Director of CyberArk's Incident Response Team. Imagine a scenario where an attacker uses AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate your company's VP of finance, gaining unauthorized access to your environment. Bryan Murphy shares insights on how these sophisticated attacks are turning identity into the attack surface and why your first line of defense might be as simple as a video call. Learn about the latest trends in social engineering, credential tiering and the importance of visual verification in incident response. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion on how to protect your organization from the ever-evolving threat landscape.

In this episode of the Security Matters podcast, host David Puner sits down with Lior Yaari, CEO and co-founder of Grip Security, for a discussion that covers the concept of identity debt and its implications for modern cybersecurity. Lior shares insights from his experience in Israel's elite Unit 8200 and explains why identity is now the new security perimeter. They delve into the challenges organizations face in managing SaaS applications, the impact of generative AI on cybersecurity and the importance of proactive identity governance. Tune in for tips on how to protect your organization from within and stay ahead of evolving threats.

Imagine receiving an urgent email from your bank that looks perfectly legitimate. It warns you of a suspicious transaction and prompts you to verify your identity. You hesitate but click, and suddenly, your credentials are compromised. This scenario, crafted by AI-powered fraud-as-a-service, is happening now.In this episode of the Security Matters podcast, host David Puner is joined by Blair Cohen, Founder and President of AuthenticID, to discuss the evolving identity threat landscape. They explore the rise of synthetic fraud, the role of biometric authentication and how AI-driven security is reshaping the fight against cybercrime. Blair shares insights on the challenges of detecting deepfakes, the advancements in biometric authentication and the impact of generative AI on security measures.Tune in to learn how security leaders can stay ahead in this rapidly changing environment and what organizations can do to prepare for the next generation of cyberthreats.