
CISO Tradecraft®
Welcome to CISO Tradecraft®, your guide to mastering the art of being a top-tier Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Our podcast empowers you to elevate your information security skills to an executive level. Join us on this journey through the domains of effective CISO leadership.
© Copyright 2025, National Security Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Latest episodes

Nov 11, 2024 • 46min
#206 - Ira Winkler CruiseCon Founder
Setting Sail with Cybersecurity: Exclusive Insights from Ira Winkler on CruiseCon 2025 🛳️ Join us for an exciting episode of CISO Tradecraft as G Mark Hardy sits down with renowned cybersecurity expert Ira Winkler! Discover the groundbreaking CruiseCon 2025, the first at-sea cybersecurity conference, featuring top-tier speakers and unrivaled networking opportunities. Learn about Ira's illustrious career, the significance of certifications, and the current state of the cybersecurity job market. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your career and connect with industry luminaries.
Big Thanks to our Sponsor CruiseCon - https://cruisecon.com/
CruiseCon Discount Code: CISOTRADECRAFT10
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CGyFBxOrxvJitKsH9BRKwf2_g8rRPZ6K
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Special Announcement
00:42 Reconnecting with Ira Winkler
04:07 Early Cybersecurity Days and Certifications
14:35 Innovative Ideas and CruiseCon
21:32 Meet the Top Cybersecurity Experts
22:13 Exciting Events and Networking Opportunities
24:10 Special Deals and Sponsorships
34:47 Addressing the Cybersecurity Job Market

Nov 4, 2024 • 46min
#205 - Wisdom from the 1st Cyber Colonel (JC Vega)
Join G. Mark Hardy on this exciting episode of CISO Tradecraft as he interviews J.C. Vega, the first cyber colonel in the United States Army. Vega shares his invaluable insights on leadership, team building, and success strategies that can transform your cybersecurity career. Plus, learn about CruiseCon 2025, Wee Dram, and how you can take your leadership skills to the next level. Don't miss out on this episode packed with wisdom, actionable advice, and some fun anecdotes. Subscribe, comment, and share with your peers!
Big Thanks to our Sponsor CruiseCon - https://cruisecon.com/
CruiseCon Discount Code: CISOTRADECRAFT10
JC Vega - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcvega-cyber-colonel/
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ExuX-WVO4_qqLoIZDuT0QS2VAvN2resW
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement
01:15 Meet J.C. Vega: The First Cyber Colonel
01:55 The Wee Dram Community
03:39 Building a Trusted Cybersecurity Community
09:12 Leadership Principles from Military to Civilian Life
12:31 Building and Leading Effective Teams
24:17 The Peter Principle and Career Progression
24:49 Creating a Shared Understanding in Cybersecurity
26:43 Commander's Intent: Defining Success
29:29 Empowering Teams and Accepting Prudent Risk
36:19 Rules to Live By: The Vega's Top Three
44:58 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Oct 28, 2024 • 24min
#204 - Shadows and Zombies in the Data Center
This spooky installment explores the lurking threats of Shadow IT and Zombie IT. Discover the risks associated with unauthorized technologies and obsolete systems that can compromise organizational security. Strategies like rigorous asset management and automation are highlighted to combat these hidden dangers. The discussion also emphasizes the need for comprehensive compliance reviews. Plus, there’s an enticing opportunity to network at an upcoming cybersecurity conference aboard a luxury cruise.

Oct 21, 2024 • 17min
#203 - Be SOCcessful with the SOC-CMM
Discover the transformative SOC Capability Maturity Model that revolutionizes how organizations assess their cybersecurity operations. Learn about the five key domains critical for enhancing SOC efficiency and resilience. Explore real-world success stories, including impressive improvements from a financial company. Find out how to visualize your SOC capabilities using radar charts and the importance of risk-based planning. This discussion is a treasure trove of insights for cybersecurity professionals aiming for excellence!

Oct 14, 2024 • 45min
#202 - Cybersecurity Crisis: Are We Failing the Next Generation?
In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy explores the challenges and misconceptions facing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The discussion covers the myth of a talent shortage, the shortcomings of current educational and certification programs, and the significance of aligning curricula with real-world needs. Hardy emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience, developing soft skills, and fostering continuous learning. The episode also highlights strategies for retaining talent, promoting internal training, and creating leadership opportunities to cultivate a skilled and satisfied cybersecurity workforce.
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12fI2efHXuHR4dS3cu7P0UIBCtjBdgREI
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Cybersecurity Talent Crisis
00:40 Debunking the Talent Shortage Myth
02:23 The Real Talent Gap: Mid-Career Professionals
03:04 Outsourcing and Its Impact on Entry-Level Jobs
08:29 Challenges in Cybersecurity Education
16:13 The Importance of Practical Skills Over Theory
23:52 The Importance of Writing Skills
25:10 Continuous Learning and Self-Investment
26:07 Performance and Career Progression
28:40 Mentorship and Onboarding
29:51 Training and Development Challenges
32:32 Retention Strategies
33:44 Engaging Junior Employees
39:07 Technology and Innovation
40:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Oct 7, 2024 • 18min
#201 - Avoiding Hurricanes in the Cloud
In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, hosted by G Mark Hardy, you'll learn about four crucial tools in cloud security: CNAPP, CASB, CSPM, and CWPP. These tools serve various functions like protecting cloud-native applications, managing access security, maintaining cloud posture, and securing cloud workloads. The discussion covers their roles, benefits, key success metrics, and best practices for CISOs. As the cloud security landscape evolves, understanding and integrating these tools is vital for keeping your organization safe against cyber threats.
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mx9qr30RuWrDUw1TLNkUDQ8xo4xvQdP_
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cloud Security Tools
02:24 Understanding CNAPP: The Comprehensive Cyber Defense
08:13 Exploring CASB: The Cloud Access Gatekeeper
11:12 Diving into CSPM: Ensuring Cloud Compliance
13:40 CWPP: Protecting Cloud Workloads
15:08 Best Practices for Cloud Security
15:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

9 snips
Sep 30, 2024 • 45min
#200 - Copywriting AI (with Mark Rasch)
Mark Rasch, an attorney specializing in AI and cybersecurity, dives into the intricate legal landscape shaped by artificial intelligence. He discusses copyright challenges with AI-generated content and emphasizes the importance of training data. The conversation delves into ethical dilemmas, such as the decision-making in AI within critical fields like healthcare and self-driving cars. Rasch also highlights how biases in data can affect AI outcomes and the implications for information security policy. Tune in for a compelling exploration of AI's legalities and ethical considerations!

11 snips
Sep 23, 2024 • 28min
#199 - How to Secure Generative AI
G. Mark Hardy, a security expert focused on Generative AI, discusses critical insights on securing these emerging technologies. He unpacks the mechanics of large language models like ChatGPT and highlights major industry players. G. Mark delves into the risks of AI misuse, including data breaches and fabricated content. He offers practical strategies for CISOs to mitigate these threats, emphasizing the CARE standard for effective governance. Additionally, he touches on the future vulnerabilities of AI and the need for ethical guidelines to foster responsible innovation.

Sep 16, 2024 • 22min
#198 - Securing the Business Processes
G Mark Hardy, a cybersecurity strategist from Glasgow, shares his expertise on securing vital business processes. He emphasizes the necessity for leaders to communicate the real impact of vulnerabilities. The discussion includes insights on the CIA triad and the importance of identifying critical processes like billing and shipping. Hardy also covers decision-making during crises, highlighting the need for effective planning and training. His practical advice aims to strengthen organizational resilience against potential cybersecurity threats.

5 snips
Sep 9, 2024 • 46min
#197 - Fedshark's Blueprint for Cost Effective Risk Reduction
Join host G Mark Hardy as he dives deep into the complexities of compliance and reporting, featuring special guests Brian Bradley and Josh Williams from FedShark. Discover a unique and streamlined approach to compliance using FedShark's innovative tools and AI-assisted systems. Learn about their exclusive offers for CISO Tradecraft listeners, including free downloads and discounted pre-assessment tools. Topics covered include CMMC, HIPAA, PCI, and more. Whether you're part of the Defense Industrial Base or dealing with multiple compliance frameworks, this episode is packed with practical advice to make your compliance journey smoother and more effective.
Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Fedshark
CISO Traderaft Promo & Link to CMMC White Papers: https://fedshark.com/ciso
RapidAssess: https://fedshark.com/rapid-assess
Company website: https://fedshark.com
FedShark Blog: https://fedshark.com/blog
Schedule a Demo: https://fedshark.com/contact-us
LinkedIn Matt Beaghley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbeaghley/
LinkedIn Brian Bradley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bradley-97a82668/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Special Offer
03:18 Meet the Experts: Brian and Josh
06:49 Challenges in Compliance
16:23 Understanding CMMC
29:02 Understanding Scope in Compliance
30:22 Introducing the AI-Enhanced Compliance Solution
31:24 Streamlining Interviews and Documentation
42:19 Final Thoughts and Recommendations