
Defense in Depth
Defense in Depth promises clear talk on cybersecurity’s most controversial and confusing debates. Once a week we choose one controversial and popular cybersecurity debate and use the InfoSec community’s insights to lead our discussion.
Latest episodes

Mar 27, 2025 • 32min
Cybersecurity Is NOT an Entry-Level Position
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Check out this post by Tallis Jordan of the U.S. Army Cyber Command for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is Montez Fitzpatrick, CISO, Navvis. In this episode: Start with foundations Learning to learn Don’t get hustled Building a pipeline HUGE thanks to our sponsor, Scrut Automation Scrut Automation empowers compliance and risk teams of all sizes to build enterprise-grade security programs effortlessly. With powerful automation, AI-driven efficiencies, and seamless integrations, Scrut eliminates compliance debt and enables proactive risk management—helping your business stay secure as it scales. Visit www.scrut.io to learn more or schedule a demo.

Mar 20, 2025 • 28min
Hey Vendors, What Problem Is Your Product Solving?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Check out this post from Yaron Levi for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is Yaron Levi, CISO, Dolby. In this episode: A knowledge deficit Talk is cheap What’s the difference? Answer the preliminaries HUGE thanks to our sponsor, Scrut Automation Scrut Automation empowers compliance and risk teams of all sizes to build enterprise-grade security programs effortlessly. With powerful automation, AI-driven efficiencies, and seamless integrations, Scrut eliminates compliance debt and enables proactive risk management—helping your business stay secure as it scales. Visit www.scrut.io to learn more or schedule a demo.

10 snips
Mar 13, 2025 • 26min
We've Been Fooled. There Is No Talent Shortage.
In this conversation, Ngozi Eze, the CISO at Levi Strauss, unpacks the illusion of a cybersecurity talent shortage, attributing it to inflated job posts and outdated compensation practices. She discusses salary trends revealing significant increases for roles like CISOs, challenging the narrative of companies' unwillingness to pay. Eze also highlights the need for cultural fit and transparent recruitment to attract top talent, while addressing the complexities of the job market and the importance of realistic job expectations.

Mar 6, 2025 • 32min
Is There an Increasing Consolidation of Vendors in the SOC?
All links and images for this episode can be found on CISO Series. Check out this post for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation on this week’s episode co-hosted by me, David Spark (@dspark), the producer of CISO Series, and Howard Holton, CTO, GigaOm. Joining us is Francis Odum, founder, Software Analyst Cybersecurity Research. In this episode: Rebalancing the SOC The case for consolidation It comes down to data Concentric cycles Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud, the next generation of Prisma Cloud, merges best-in-class CDR with industry-leading CNAPP for real-time cloud security. Harness the power of AI and automation to prioritize risks with runtime context, enable remediation at scale, and stop attacks as they occur. Bring together your cloud and SOC on the unified Cortex platform to transform end-to-end operations. Experience the future of real-time cloud security at https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud.

13 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 32min
Are CISOs Struggling to Get Respect?
Lee Parrish, CISO at Newell Brands and author, joins David Tyburski, CISO at Wynn Resorts, to discuss the unique challenges facing CISOs today. They delve into the importance of fostering a strong security culture within organizations and the need for clear communication with boards. The conversation emphasizes empowering non-cyber staff through innovative programs and strengthening relationships to enhance cybersecurity governance. Their insights reveal how strategic engagement can elevate cybersecurity’s importance in corporate discussions.

11 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 29min
Is Platformization Vs Best-of-Breed a False Dichotomy?
Elad Koren, VP of Product Management for Cortex Cloud at Palo Alto Networks, brings a wealth of expertise in cloud security. He dives into the ongoing debate of platformization versus best-of-breed solutions, challenging the simplistic views often held. Topics include the critical role of context in decision-making, the urgent security challenges faced by leaders, and the necessity of balancing budgets with effective purchasing. Koren emphasizes the importance of understanding organizational needs and the value of integrated security strategies.

12 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 30min
Protecting Your Backups from Ransomware
DJ Schleen, a former distinguished security architect at Yahoo, and Heath Renfrow, co-founder of Phoenix 24 specializing in ransomware recovery, bring valuable insights on protecting backups. They discuss the rising threats of ransomware and the need for proactive backup strategies. The duo emphasizes the importance of rigorous testing and collaboration in improving data resilience. They also delve into real-world case studies, highlighting common pitfalls organizations face and the necessity for robust recovery solutions to combat cyber threats effectively.

Feb 6, 2025 • 25min
Can a Security Program Ever Reach Maintenance Mode?
Andrew Wilder, CISO at Vetcor, offers a wealth of knowledge in cybersecurity risk management. The conversation centers on the complexities of achieving 'maintenance mode' in security programs. Wilder discusses the balance between proactive measures and optimizing existing tools while navigating organizational growth. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement over merely shifting to maintenance mode, highlighting the necessity for effective incident response and ROI assessment in security investments. Wilder also touches on the evolving role of CISOs in business alignment.

22 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 26min
The Hardest Problems in Security Aren't "Security Problems"
Sneha Parmar, an Information Security Officer at Lufthansa Group Digital Hangar, discusses the importance of viewing cybersecurity as a collective responsibility. She emphasizes the critical role of foundational practices like asset inventory and maintenance, arguing that overlooking these can lead to vulnerabilities. Sneha highlights how understanding organizational assets and fostering accountability can enhance security measures. The conversation also stresses that prioritizing operational discipline is key to building a resilient cybersecurity posture.

26 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 29min
If and When Should a CISO Have a Long Term Security Plan?
Mike Johnson, CISO of Rivian, and Gaurav Kapil, CISO of Bread Financial, dive deep into the necessity of long-term cybersecurity strategies. They discuss how new CISOs can balance immediate pressures with strategic planning. The conversation highlights the importance of having a flexible vision that adapts to evolving threats. Effective communication with C-suite executives is emphasized as vital for aligning cybersecurity goals. They also stress the indispensable nature of planning, even as strategies must adjust in a dynamic landscape.