

CISO Tradecraft®
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
© Copyright 2025, National Security Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2023 • 46min
#153 - Game-Based Learning (with Andy Serwin & Eric Basu)
On this episode we talk about the differences between Gamification and Game-Based Learning. We think you will enjoy hearing how Game-Based learning gets folks into the flow and creates novel training that resonates. We also have a great discussion on how games can be applicable for Board Members and Techies. You just need to get the right type of game for the right audience and let the magic happen.
Big Thanks to our Sponsors
Haiku - https://www.haikuinc.io/
Risk3Sixty - https://risk3sixty.com/whitepaper/
Transcripts
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XmkMO7eJR3yAnXJPOCTaA5J9sakk639Q
Prefer to watch on YouTube?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45eViHH_ktA
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:38 What is Game-Based Learning?
07:55 Training Board of Directors
10:18 Gamification vs Game-Based Learning
14:30 Do Your Duties
21:09 Delaware Fiduciary Duties
22:54 Building a Forge
26:11 Tailored Game Types
33:35 Teaching Girl Scouts Linux Commands
40:17 Retaining Your Best People

Oct 23, 2023 • 45min
#152 - Speak My Language (with Andrew Chrostowski)
Learn the language of the board with Andrew Chrostowski. In this episode we discuss the 3 major risk categories of opportunity risk, cybersecurity risk and complex systems. We highlight intentional deficit and what to do about it. Finally, don't miss the part where we talk about the time for a digital strategy is past. What is needed today is a comprehensive strategy for a world of digital opportunities and existential cyber risks.
Big thanks to our sponsor:
Risk3Sixty - https://risk3sixty.com/iso-27001-certification/
Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/15PnB1gYwt7vj-wRE4ABuEWxvB-H96rp0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:22 Communication is a Requirement
09:34 How does cyber create value?
11:30 Culture and Operational Excellence
16:51 How does growth strategy align with cyber?
22:30 Intention Deficit Disorder
26:48 Accountability Loops
28:39 What's the evolution for a digital strategy?
32:02 Sharpen your axe
36:40 Digital Directors Network & Qualified Technical Experts

Oct 16, 2023 • 46min
#151 - Cyber War
On this episode we do a master class on cyber warfare. Learn the terminology. Learn the differences and similarities between kinetic and cyber warfare. There's a lot of interesting discussion, so check it out.
Big thanks to our sponsor:
Risk3Sixty - https://risk3sixty.com/whitepaper/
Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yJYoVs3pO4u_Zq8UC8YQmnYVGrsH93-H
Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-0 - Operations and Planning https://www.doctrine.af.mil/Portals/61/documents/AFDP_3-0/3-0-D15-OPS-Coercion-Continuum.pdf
Dykstra, J., Inglis, C., & Walcott, T. S. (Joint Forces Quarterly 99, October 2020) Differentiating Kinetic and Cyber Weapons to Improve Integrated Combat. https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/Documents/jfq/jfq-99/jfq-99_116-123_Dykstra-Inglis-Walcott.pdf
Tallinn Manual 1.0 published April 2013; 2.0 in 2017 https://ccdcoe.org/research/tallinn-manual/
Version 3.0 under development; inputs solicited at https://ecv.microsoft.com/RRllEKKMJQ
https://www.csis.org/analysis/cyber-operations-during-russo-ukrainian-war
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:57 Definition of Cyber War
04:18 Kinetic vs Cyber War
07:02 Goal of Offensive Cyber Operations
10:06 International Law Applied to Cyber Operations (Sovereignty & Necessity)
11:33 Diplomatic, Information, Military, & Economic (DIME)
12:57 Proportionality
14:04 Law of Distinction
15:56 Tallinn Manual
18:15 Stuxnet, Sony Pictures, NotPetya, and SolarWinds attacks
23:47 Ukraine Cyber War
28:21 Comparing old tanks to old mainframes
39:55 Winning a Cyber War

8 snips
Oct 9, 2023 • 18min
#150 - Measuring Results
This podcast discusses the importance of measuring results in cybersecurity and provides methods such as setting SMART goals, identifying KPIs, using the WOOP model, gap analysis, the 5 Why Method, and Plan-Do-Check-Act. It also explores the significance of metrics, accountability, continuous improvement, and seeking advice from peers and third parties.

16 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 43min
#149 - Board Perspectives
This podcast episode explores the key roles of Boards in cybersecurity, including setting risk strategy, reviewing assessments, evaluating management's cyber risk stance, and approving risk management plans. It also discusses the importance of establishing an information security culture, getting budget requests approved, and using reserved funding for cybersecurity projects.

Sep 25, 2023 • 38min
#148 - Threat Modeling (with Adam Shostack)
On this episode we bring on the leading expert of threat modeling (Adam Shostack) to discuss the four questions that every team should ask:
What are we working on?
What can go wrong?
What are we going to do about it?
Did we do a good enough job?
Big thanks to our sponsor:
Risk3Sixty - https://risk3sixty.com/whitepaper/
Adam Shostack's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shostack/
Learn more about threat modeling by checking out Adam's books on threat modeling Threats: What Every Engineer Should Learn From Star Wars https://amzn.to/3PFEv7L
Threat Modeling: Designing for Security https://amzn.to/3ZmfLo7 Also check out the Threat Modeling Manifesto: https://www.threatmodelingmanifesto.org/
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tu0Xj9QTbVqbVJNMbNRam-FEUvfda3ZS
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
06:02 The 4 Questions that allow you to measure twice cut once
09:29 How Data Flow Diagrams help teams
16:04 It's more than just looking at threats
19:23 Chasing the most fluid thing or the most worrisome thing
22:00 All models are wrong and some are useful
26:25 Actionable Remediation
31:05 LLMs and Threat Models

Sep 18, 2023 • 43min
#147 - Betting on MFA
Learn about the recent cyber attacks involving SMS spoofing and Social Engineering in the casino industry. Find out how to stop these attacks and the importance of using good MFA. The podcast also discusses negotiating with ransomware attackers, duress security codes, vulnerabilities of multi-factor authentication, and the significance of executive support in cybersecurity.

Sep 11, 2023 • 42min
#146 - Living in a Materiality World
Exploring the concept of materiality in relation to cybersecurity incidents and the importance of disclosing material facts. Discussing the economic cost of cyber attacks and the increasing demand for information about cybersecurity risks among investors. Delving into the relationship between risk and reward in investment and the role of the SEC in enhancing cybersecurity for financial system resiliency. Emphasizing the importance of infrastructure capacity planning, stress testing, and early detection and response to cybersecurity threats. Discussing the responsibility of boards in providing governance and cybersecurity, including new SEC requirements. Exploring the importance of effective communication and collaboration for cybersecurity leaders.

Sep 4, 2023 • 36min
#145 - The Cost of Cyber Defense
On this episode we overview the CIS Document titled, "The Cost of Cyber Defense". https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/white-papers/the-cost-of-cyber-defense-cis-controls-ig1
Big Thanks to our Sponsors
Risk3Sixty - https://risk3sixty.com/whitepaper/
CPRIME - For those valuing leadership, policy, and governance in tech risk and security, Cprime is here to help. Enhance your skills with our training and workshops, ensuring effective policy design and strategy alignment. As a tech coaching firm, Cprime offers classes for teams
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training. Elevate your approach!
Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TAltDwJxQg9MqVRNCCgwIJa1a3WKpep5---WVOUsdLE/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:30 What are the CIS Critical Security Controls?
03:00 How have the CIS Critical Security Controls evolved over time?
05:30 What are the benefits of implementing the CIS Critical Security Controls?
07:30 The three crucial questions for implementing the CIS Critical Security Controls
10:30 How to prioritize the CIS Critical Security Controls
12:30 What are Implementation Groups?
13:37 Enterprise Profiles
14:00 Why are Implementation Groups important?
15:30 How to choose the right Implementation Group for your organization
19:46 Cost Breakdown
23:16 Thoughts on the CIS Study

Aug 28, 2023 • 24min
#144 - Handling Regulatory Change
Explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity regulations, including data incident notifications and required contract language. Learn how to prepare, adapt, and network within your industry. Understand the importance of meeting cybersecurity controls and the potential consequences of non-compliance. Discover strategies for handling regulatory change, mapping controls, and tracking requirements. Navigate regulatory change by staying up to date with industry standards, engaging legal teams, investing in compliance tools, and promoting the episode and sponsors.