Cloud Security Today

Send us a textIn this episode, Matt interviews Bel Lepe, CEO and co-founder of Cerby, discussing the challenges and opportunities in identity security. They explore the significance of disconnected applications, the impact of shadow IT, and the importance of automation and AI in enhancing security practices. Bel shares insights from his previous experience at Ooyala and the lessons learned in building Cerby, including the recent Series B funding and future plans for the company.TakeawaysDisconnected applications pose significant risks in identity management.Shadow IT is becoming a major part of the IT landscape, not just a side issue.The startup journey involves learning from past experiences and adapting strategies.The human element remains a critical factor in cybersecurity incidents.

Send us a textIn this conversation, Tammy Klotz discusses her journey as a leader and author, focusing on her book 'Leading with Empathy and Grace.' She shares insights on the importance of empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity in leadership and the challenges and rewards of writing a book. The discussion highlights the significance of acknowledging personal lives in the workplace and the foundational role of trust in professional relationships. If you are an aspiring leader in Cyber, this episode is for you. Tammy shares her secrets to successful leadership.

Send us a textIn this conversation, MK Palmore shares insights from his diverse leadership journey, spanning the Marine Corps, FBI, and cybersecurity. He emphasizes the importance of a people-centered leadership approach, the balance between technical and leadership skills, and the significance of effective communication. MK reflects on his experiences, the impact of mentorship, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in leadership roles. MK highlights the challenges in attracting diverse talent to cybersecurity and the necessity of nurturing new professionals. He concludes with insights on continuous learning and the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset.TakeawaysDiverse experiences shape leadership philosophy.Mentorship plays a significant role in professional development.Silence from leaders can lead to assumptions and uncertainty.Leaders should increase communication during times of uncertainty.Maintaining a mindset of continuous learning is vital for personal growth.Chapters00:00Introduction to Leadership and Music02:57Diverse Leadership Experiences06:05The Importance of People-Centered Leadership09:05Technical Skills vs. Leadership Skills11:49Communication as a Leadership Skill14:53Learning from Mistakes in Communication18:01The Impact of Silence in Leadership20:44Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership25:06Bridging the Gap: Technical and Business Communication30:22Building Personal Brand and Eminence32:53Overcoming Barriers in Cybersecurity Talent Acquisition38:31Staying Sharp: Continuous Learning and Adaptability

Send us a textIn this conversation, Lance Spitzner shares his unique journey from a military tank officer to a pioneer in cybersecurity, detailing the evolution of his career and the inception of the Honeynet Project. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element in security, advocating for a shift from mere security awareness to fostering a robust security culture within organizations. Spitzner discusses practical steps for security teams to enhance their approach, including leveraging AI to improve communication and engagement. He concludes by reflecting on the impact of his work and the growing recognition of the human side of cybersecurity.TakeawaysThe Honeynet Project was born from a need for cyber threat intelligence.Security culture is broader than security awareness; it encompasses attitudes and beliefs.Changing the environment is key to changing organizational culture.AI can be leveraged to enhance communication and simplify security policies.Positive interactions with security teams build a stronger security culture.Chapters00:00 From Military to Cybersecurity Pioneer03:04 The Birth of the Honeynet Project05:59 Understanding the Human Element in Security09:13 Security Culture vs. Security Awareness11:51 Changing Organizational Culture for Security14:46 Practical Steps for Security Teams17:55 Leveraging AI in Security Culture21:11 Measuring Success in Cybersecurity Training

Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Chase Cunningham, aka Dr. Zero Trust, shares his unique journey into the cybersecurity field, emphasizing the importance of purpose and self-care in a high-stress industry. He discusses the challenges of implementing zero trust strategies in organizations, the significance of understanding offensive tactics to enhance defensive measures, and the need for systemic change in national cybersecurity. Dr. Zero Trust also provides valuable advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, highlighting the supportive community and the importance of continuous learning.TakeawaysZero Trust is a strategy, not a product.Self-care is critical in high-stress environments.Understanding offensive tactics is essential for defense.Start small when implementing Zero Trust.

Send us a textIn this conversation, Steve Martano discusses his journey from writing about baseball analytics to becoming a key player in cybersecurity executive search and strategy. He emphasizes the evolving role of CISOs, the importance of aligning with business objectives, and the need for strong leadership skills. The discussion also covers trends in CISO compensation, the mental health challenges faced by security leaders, and the significance of organizational culture in driving satisfaction and effectiveness in cybersecurity roles.The Latest CISO Compensation Trends & Benchmarks.TakeawaysUnderstanding economics can enhance a CISO's effectiveness.Compensation data must be contextualized for accurate benchmarking.Low attrition doesn't always indicate job satisfaction.CISOs face increasing pressures and scope creep in their roles.The job market is expected to become more active in 2025.Chapters00:00 The Journey from Baseball to Cybersecurity05:53 The Intersection of Leadership and Cybersecurity12:00 Mental Health and Satisfaction Among CISOs17:49 Preparing for Future Attrition in Cybersecurity Roles26:29 Engagement and Satisfaction Beyond Compensation32:13 The Evolving Role of Cybersecurity Leadership38:15 Mentorship and Professional GrowthThe future of cloud security.Simplify cloud security with Prisma Cloud, the Code to Cloud platform powered by Precision AI.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nate Lee, a seasoned fractional CISO and security consultant with two decades of experience, shares his insights on the security challenges posed by large language models (LLMs). He highlights vulnerabilities like prompt injection and emphasizes the vital role of orchestrators in managing AI safely. Nate discusses the need for security practitioners to evolve with AI and underscores the necessity of human oversight in these systems. With anecdotes from his career, he encourages proactive engagement with AI for effective security management.

Send us a textSummaryIn this conversation, Chris Hetner discusses the evolving role of boards of directors in cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for improved communication and understanding of cyber risks. He highlights the challenges boards face in adapting to new SEC rules and the importance of leveraging AI responsibly. Hetner also shares insights on tools for quantifying cyber risk and prioritizing investments while advocating for continuous learning and proactive engagement with board members.TakeawaysBoards are becoming more aware of cybersecurity risks.Cybersecurity discussions often receive limited airtime in board meetings.The SEC's new disclosure rules can drive more frequent discussions on cyber risk.AI governance is crucial as AI technologies become more prevalent.Collaboration with general counsel and risk officers is essential.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background on Cybersecurity and Boards03:05 Current Challenges Facing Boards in Cybersecurity06:11 Understanding Cyber Risk and Communication with Boards08:58 Improving Board Engagement with Cybersecurity11:56 Leveraging SEC Guidelines for Cyber Risk Discussions15:02 The Role of AI in Cybersecurity Governance18:05 Tools for Quantifying Cyber Risk21:12 Prioritizing Cybersecurity Investments24:02 The Importance of AI Governance26:57 Staying Informed in Cybersecurity30:13 Final Thoughts and Continuous LearningThe future of cloud security.Simplify cloud security with Prisma Cloud, the Code to Cloud platform powered by Precision AI.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us a textMeg Anderson, the CISO at Principal Financial Group, discusses her 17-year tenure as a CISO and the factors contributing to her long-term success. She attributes her longevity to her passion for the job and the opportunities for growth and development at Principal. Meg emphasizes the importance of understanding the business impact of cybersecurity and holding people accountable. She also highlights the significance of focusing on the basics of cybersecurity and not getting caught up in the latest trends. Meg shares her experience with mentorship and its role in her career. She also discusses the programs implemented at Principal to attract and retain cyber talent, such as a formal mentorship program and a robust internship program.TakeawaysPassion for the job and naivete can contribute to long-term success as a CISO.Understanding the business impact of cybersecurity and holding people accountable is crucial.Focusing on the basics of cybersecurity is essential, rather than getting caught up in the latest trends.Mentorship plays a significant role in career development.Taking time away from work is essential for personal growth and avoiding burnout.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Long-Term Success as a CISO03:15 The Importance of Naivete and Passion06:34 The Role of Mentorship10:54 Attracting and Retaining Cyber Talent12:50 Organizing a Cyber Youth Summit21:13 Building a Cyber Program Around Company Culture28:07 Focusing on the Basics of Cybersecurity36:19 Personal Growth and Parting WordsThe future of cloud security.Simplify cloud security with Prisma Cloud, the Code to Cloud platform powered by Precision AI.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Send us a textPurav Desai is a Microsoft 365 incident responder at a large financial institution (name withheld to protect the innocent). He shares his journey and expertise in the field. He explains how his early exposure to Microsoft security solutions and their constant innovation led him to specialize in 365 security and incident response. He discusses the importance of mentors and influential figures in his career, highlighting the lessons he learned from them. He then dives into his popular project, Deciphering UAL (Unified Audit Logs), which aims to make sense of the complex logs in Microsoft 365. Purav shares an incident response scenario involving a banking Trojan and how he used telemetry and logging to investigate and remediate the issue. He concludes by discussing effective threat detection methods in Microsoft 365, including threat hunting with KQL and leveraging Zero-Hour Auto-Purge (ZAP) to prevent the spread of attacks. In our conversation, we dive into:How specializing in Microsoft 365 security and incident response can be a wise choice due to the constant innovation and market demand for Microsoft solutions.How having mentors and influential figures in your career can provide valuable guidance and inspire you to push yourself and try new things.His personal project, Deciphering UAL (Unified Audit Logs), aims to make sense of the complex logs in Microsoft 365, providing insights for digital forensics and incident response.How proper licensing and logging configuration are crucial for effective incident response.How native tools like Purview Audit and eDiscovery provide valuable insights for forensic analysis.The future of cloud security.Simplify cloud security with Prisma Cloud, the Code to Cloud platform powered by Precision AI.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.