CISO Tradecraft®

Join G Mark Hardy, host of CISO Tradecraft, as he breaks down the latest insights from the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). In this episode, discover the top 10 takeaways for cybersecurity leaders including the surge in third-party breaches, the persistence of ransomware, and the human factors in security incidents. Learn actionable strategies to enhance your organization's security posture, from improving vendor risk management to understanding industry-specific threats. Stay ahead of cybercriminals and secure your data with practical, data-driven advice straight from one of the industry's most anticipated reports. Verizon DBIR - https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/ Transcripts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h_YMpJvhAMB9wRyx92WkPYiKpFYyW2qz Chapters 00:35 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) Introduction 01:16 Accessing the DBIR Report 02:38 Key Takeaways from the DBIR 03:15 Third-Party Breaches 04:32 Ransomware Insights 08:08 Exploitation of Vulnerabilities 09:39 Credential Abuse 12:25 Espionage Attacks 14:04 System Intrusions in APAC 15:04 Business Email Compromise (BEC) 18:07 Human Risk and Security Awareness 19:19 Industry-Specific Trends 20:06 Multi-Layered Defense Strategy 21:08 Data Leakage to Gen AI

Join G Mark Hardy in this eye-opening episode of CISO Tradecraft as he shares a personal story about his dog Shelby's near-fatal experience and the costly lesson it taught him about technical debt. Discover how small overlooked issues in cybersecurity can compound and lead to significant risks and learn actionable steps to tackle technical debt before it turns into a crisis. Pictures of Dog https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBc9e3bBJVW0BQt5inGryhP3ahBz4XsQ/view?usp=drive_link  https://drive.google.com/file/d/12V_DuwhgNBKgxJL0yqNq9Fopa4dauJfd/view?usp=drive_link Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-_X_9RQrurOLKRvbXyMjgbygESsabcCK  Chapters 00:21 Welcome to CISO Tradecraft 00:36 RSAC 2025 Conference Experience 01:22 Shelby's Health Scare 02:08 Understanding Technical Debt 02:41 The Consequences of Technical Debt 04:09 Shelby's Story as a Technical Debt Analogy 09:28 Lessons Learned from Shelby's Story 13:09 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy and guest Sounil Yu delve into the dual-edged sword of implementing Microsoft 365 Copilot in enterprises. While this productivity tool has transformative potential, it introduces significant oversharing risks that can be mitigated with the right strategies. Discover how Sounil and his team at Knostic have been tackling these challenges for over a year, presenting innovative solutions to ensure both productivity and security. They discuss the importance of 'need to know' principles and knowledge segmentation, providing insight into how organizations can harness the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot safely and effectively. Tune in to learn how to avoid becoming the 'department of no' and start being the 'department of know.' Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CT9HXdDmKojuXzWTbNYUE4Kgp_D64GyB Knostic's Website - https://www.knostic.ai/solution-brief-request  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Microsoft Copilot Risks 00:32 Meet the Guest: Sounil Yu 02:51 Understanding Microsoft 365 Copilot 06:09 The DIKW Pyramid and Knowledge Management 08:34 Challenges of Data Permissions and Oversharing 19:01 Need to Know: A New Approach to Access Control 35:10 Measuring and Mitigating Risks with Copilot 39:46 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy delves into the crucial topic of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) and the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). Learn about the history, structure, and significance of the CVE database, the recent funding crisis, and what it means for the future of cybersecurity. We also explore the intricacies of CVE scoring and how it aids in prioritizing vulnerabilities. Tune in to understand how as a CISO, you can better prepare your organization against cyber threats and manage vulnerabilities efficiently. Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13VzyzG5uUVLGVhPA5Ws0UFbHPnfHbsII Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CVE and CVSS 01:13 History of Vulnerability Tracking 03:07 The CVE System Explained 06:47 Understanding CVSS Scoring 13:11 Recent Funding Crisis and Its Impact 15:53 Future of the CVE Program 18:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join host G Mark Hardy on CISO Tradecraft as he welcomes expert Scott Gicking to discuss the Center for Internet Security's (CIS) Controls Self-Assessment Tool (CSAT). Learn what CSAT is, how to effectively use it, and how it can enhance your career in cybersecurity. Stay tuned for insights on creating effective security frameworks, measuring maturity, and improving organizational security posture using the CSAT tool.   Scott Gicking - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottgickingus/ CIS CSAT - https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/cis-controls-self-assessment-tool-cis-csat Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WAI9U0WEUSJH1ZVWM1HdtFEf-O9hLJBe   Chapters 01:16 Guest Introduction: Scott Gicking 02:49 Scott's Career Journey 04:03 The Hollywood Cybersecurity Incident 07:38 Introduction to CIS and Its Importance 09:49 Understanding the CIS CSAT Tool 10:13 Implementing CIS CSAT in a Real-World Scenario 13:00 Benefits of the CIS CSAT Tool 18:38 Developing a Three-Year Roadmap with CSAT 23:25 Scoring Policies and Controls 24:20 Control Implementation and Automation 25:22 CMMC Certification Levels 27:52 Honest Self-Assessment 30:01 Quick and Dirty Assessment Approach 33:07 Building Trust and Reporting 37:38 Business Impact Analysis Tool 40:02 Reputational Damage and CISO Challenges 42:55 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Ever wonder how the CISO role went from obscure techie to boardroom MVP? In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, G Mark Hardy takes you on a journey through the evolution of the Chief Information Security Officer — from Steve Katz's groundbreaking appointment at Citibank in 1995 to the high-stakes, high-impact role CISOs play today. Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FlKBW6zlVBqLoSTQMGZIfz--ZLD_aS9t/edit   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of the CISO Role 00:58 The First CISO: Steve Katz's Pioneering Journey 03:58 Rise of Security Certifications 08:39 Regulatory Wake-Up Calls and Compliance 12:23 Cybersecurity in the Age of State-Sponsored Attacks 17:58 The Impact of Major Cyber Incidents 25:07 Modern Challenges and the Future of the CISO Role 27:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, we host Chris Hughes, CEO of Aquia, cybersecurity consultant, and author. Chris shares insights on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, discussing software supply chain threats, vulnerability management, relationships between security and development, and the future impacts of AI. Tune in to gain expert advice on becoming an effective cybersecurity leader. Chris Hughes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientcyber/ Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5ernS0Gk3LH-qcjhi6gOfojBqQljGhi Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:55 Chris Hughes' Background and Career Journey 02:46 Government and Industry Engagement 03:42 Supply Chain Security Challenges 07:34 Vulnerability Management Insights 12:13 Navigating the Overwhelming Vulnerability Landscape 22:19 Building Positive Relationships in Cybersecurity 23:41 Empowering Risk-Informed Decisions 24:29 Aligning with Organizational Risk Appetite 25:33 Navigating Job Changes and Organizational Fit 26:32 The Role of Compliance in Security 33:27 The Impact of AI on Security 43:05 Balancing Build vs. Buy Decisions 45:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of CSO Tradecraft, host G. Mark Hardy introduces 'The Full Irish,' a cybersecurity framework based on the '12 Steps to Cybersecurity' guidance from Ireland's National Cybersecurity Center. The episode covers comprehensive steps from governance and risk management to incident response and resilience, making it a valuable resource for cybersecurity professionals. G Mark also discusses the implications of multinational companies operating in Ireland, including tax strategies and notable GDPR fines. The episode provides pragmatic guidance and actionable insights to enhance your cybersecurity program. References: https://www.ncsc.gov.ie/pdfs/Cybersecurity_12_steps.pdf Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VLeRozClLZAkZsusYsUn4Q9_1v7WCoN0 Chapters  00:00 Introduction to the Full Irish 01:32 Why Ireland? 02:40 Tax Avoidance Schemes 04:25 GDPR Penalties and Data Protection 05:54 Overview of the 12 Steps to Cybersecurity 07:19 Step 1: Governance and Organization 09:24 Step 2: Identify What Matters Most 10:31 Step 3: Understanding the Threats 12:35 Step 4: Defining Risk Appetite 14:10 Step 5: Education and Awareness 16:00 Step 6: Implement Basic Protections 18:00 Step 7: Detect and Attack 19:37 Step 8: Be Prepared to React 21:24 Step 9: Risk-Based Approach to Resilience 22:52 Step 10: Automated Protections 23:58 Step 11: Challenge and Test Regularly 25:29 Step 12: Cyber Risk Management Lifecycle 26:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G. Mark Hardy dives into the evolution, challenges, and solutions of Data Loss Prevention (DLP). From early methods like 'dirty word lists' in the military to advanced AI and machine learning models of today, discover how DLP technologies have developed to safeguard sensitive information. Learn about different DLP phases, regulatory impacts, and modern tools like Microsoft Purview that can help manage and classify data effectively. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you tackle data security with confidence and efficiency. Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u7owNI5P3WajJvRPIXbzrUYy-PCsRcfC References Crash course in Microsoft Purview: A guide to securing and managing your data estate Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Data Loss Prevention (DLP) 00:45 Early Days of DLP: Dirty Word Lists and Simple Networks 02:39 Evolution of DLP: Content Filtering and Endpoint Protection 06:05 Advanced Content Inspection and Policy Enforcement 09:19 Unified DLP and Cloud Adoption 16:04 Modern DLP: AI, Machine Learning, and Zero Trust 19:12 Implementing DLP with Microsoft Purview 28:59 Summary and Final Thoughts  

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, G. Mark Hardy dives deep into the world of Agentic AI and its impact on cybersecurity. The discussion covers the definition and characteristics of Agentic AI, as well as expert insights on its feasibility. Learn about its primary functions—perception, cognition, and action—and explore practical cybersecurity applications. Discover the rapid advancements made by tech giants and potential risks involved. This episode is a comprehensive guide to understanding and securely implementing Agentic AI in your enterprise. Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tIv2NKX0DL4NTnvqKV9rKrgrewa68m3W References Vladimir Putin - https://www.rt.com/news/401731-ai-rule-world-putin/ Minds and Machines - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44163-024-00216-2 Anthropic - https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/22/anthropic-announces-ai-agents-for-complex-tasks-racing-openai.html Convergence AI - https://convergence.ai/training-web-agents-with-web-world-models-dec-2024/ OpenAI Operator - https://openai.com/index/introducing-operator/ ByteDance UITARS - https://venturebeat.com/ai/bytedances-ui-tars-can-take-over-your-computer-outperforms-gpt-4o-and-claude/ Zapier - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/openai-bytedance-zapier-launch-ai-agents-getcoai-l6blf/ Microsoft OmniParser - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/articles/omniparser-v2-turning-any-llm-into-a-computer-use-agent/ Google Project Mariner - https://deepmind.google/technologies/project-mariner/ Rajeev Sharma - Agentic AI Architecture - https://markovate.com/blog/agentic-ai-architecture/ NIST.AI.600-1 - https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.AI.600-1 Mitre ATLAS - https://atlas.mitre.org/ OWASP Top 10 for LLMs - https://owasp.org/www-project-top-10-for-large-language-model-applications/ ISO 42001 - https://www.iso.org/standard/81230.html Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Intriguing Quote 01:10 Defining Agentic AI 02:01 Expert Insights on Agency 04:32 Agentic AI in Practice 06:54 Recent Developments in Agentic AI 08:20 Deep Dive into Agentic AI Infrastructure 15:35 Use Cases for Agentic AI 21:12 Challenges and Considerations 24:22 Conclusion and Recap