In this engaging episode of 9 0 9 Exec, host Den Jones sits down with Kumar Chivukula, the co-founder and CEO of Opsera, to explore the dynamic world of cybersecurity and DevOps.

Kumar shares his journey from working at Adobe and Symantec to founding Opsera, a company at the forefront of AI-powered DevOps solutions.

Discover how Opsera is revolutionizing software delivery with innovative AI applications, and learn about the challenges and triumphs of building a startup in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a budding entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of cybersecurity and the power of AI in transforming industries.

Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, practical advice, and a glimpse into the future of technology.

Main Topics Covered

Opsera's Mission:

The company aims to empower enterprises to deliver software faster, better, and more securely by providing a unified DevOps platform.

Challenges in Software Delivery:

Kumar discusses the common struggles enterprises face with point solutions and the need for a seamless software delivery process.

AI and Automation:

The episode covers how Opsera leverages AI to provide insights, automate remediation, and improve software delivery processes.

Entrepreneurial Journey:

Kumar shares insights into the challenges of starting a company, the importance of having a strong network, and the role of mentors and advisors.

Funding and Partnerships:

The discussion includes Opsera's recent funding round and strategic partnerships with companies like Lineaje, GitHub and Databricks to enhance their platform's capabilities.

Introduction Summary

In this episode of 9 0 9 Exec, hosted by Den Jones, the focus is on cybersecurity and leadership insights. The episode features a returning guest, Pieter Vaniperen, who is the CISO and CIO at AlphaSense.

Guest Highlights

Pieter Vaniperen: CISO and CIO at AlphaSense.

Discusses the benefits of having a blended CIO and CISO role, emphasizing streamlined operations and team interest in both areas.

Shares insights on creative problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of identifying the right problems and using first principles and root cause analysis.

Highlights the significance of balancing automation with cost-effectiveness and the importance of understanding business value in decision-making.

Main Topics Covered

Blended CIO and CISO Roles: The advantages of combining these roles for streamlined operations and team dynamics.

Creative Problem Solving: The approach of questioning whether the right problem is being addressed and using first principles and root cause analysis.

Automation vs. Manual Processes: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of automation and the importance of business value.

AI in Security: The potential of AI to filter noise and provide valuable insights in cybersecurity.

Work-Life Balance and Leadership: The importance of managing burnout, the benefits of creative outlets, and the evolving definition of work post-COVID.

Music and Creativity: The parallels between music, creativity, and problem-solving in professional life.

In this exciting episode of 909Exec, host Den Jones welcomes back a special guest, Neeha Kadavakolanu, a talented security engineer at Cisco and returning guest on the show.

Neeha shares her unique journey from a cognitive science major to a security engineer at Cisco, where she explores the fascinating intersection of human behavior and technology.

Tune in as she discusses her experiences and insights from competing in the Social Engineering Village competition at DEFCON, where she was awarded for her most convincing pretext.

Discover the art of social engineering, the importance of security awareness, and how even seemingly innocuous information can be leveraged in cyber attacks.

Whether you're an executive, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of cybersecurity, this episode is packed with wit, wisdom, and valuable lessons on protecting your digital life.

In this enlightening episode of 9 0 9 Exec, host Den Jones sits down with Dr. Sara Rabinovich, a renowned cyber psychologist and professor at USC, to explore the intersection of cybersecurity and mental health.

Dr. Sara shares her journey from a college basketball player to a leading expert in stress management for high-pressure industries. Discover practical tools and strategies to combat burnout and stress, tailored specifically for cybersecurity professionals.

Learn about the innovative Cybercom app and mindfulness kits designed to support mental wellbeing in the tech world. Whether you're an executive, a cybersecurity professional, or someone interested in mental health, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you thrive in a demanding field.

Tune in to understand how to bring balance and resilience to your professional life.

1. Introduction Summary

The episode begins with the host, Den Jones, introducing the podcast "9 0 9 Exec" as a source of wit and wisdom in cybersecurity.

Den highlights his role as a veteran chief security officer and mentions that he brings unique guests and insights to the show. In this episode, Den welcomes Justine Benjamin, also known as JB or Jojo, who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Hex-Rays.

2. Guest Highlights

Background:

Justine Benjamin, often referred to as JB, is the Chief Marketing Officer at Hex-Rays, a company based in Belgium, though she works remotely from San Jose, California. She has a long history in advertising technology and recently transitioned into cybersecurity.

Key Contributions:

Justine discusses her role in marketing Hex-Rays' niche cybersecurity products, particularly their binary analysis tools. She emphasizes her focus on community marketing and product marketing, engaging with both enterprise clients and individual power users.

3. Main Topics Covered

Hex-Rays and Its Products:

Justine explains Hex-Rays' focus on creating binary analysis tools used for ethical hacking and reverse engineering. The company has a rich history and is well-known in the cybersecurity community.

Marketing Strategies:

Justine shares her experiences in marketing within the cybersecurity space, highlighting the differences between B2B and B2C marketing. She discusses the effectiveness of platforms like Reddit and Twitter for reaching different audiences.

Career Journey and Advice:

Justine talks about her career path from wanting to be a teacher to becoming a marketing leader. She offers advice for those entering the marketing field, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and being open to learning.

Work-Life Balance:

The conversation touches on managing work-life balance, especially as a mother and a professional. Justine shares her strategies for staying sane and productive.

Impact of AI on Marketing:

Justine discusses how AI is currently being used in marketing, particularly in automating tasks and generating initial drafts for content, while emphasizing the continued need for human oversight and creativity.

Advice for Women in Tech:

Justine provides insights for women working in technology, encouraging them to ask questions and be open to diverse mentorship opportunities.

In this insightful episode, Den Jones sits down with Pieter Vaniperen, CISO and CIO at AlphaSense, to explore the journey from technologist to executive leadership. They dive into how creative thinking shapes effective leadership, the evolution of security roles at the executive level, and why understanding business fundamentals is critical for today's tech leaders.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Creative thinking is a critical skill for tech leaders, enabling them to solve complex problems by applying experiences from different domains.

2. Successful executives need to understand the business context and strategy, not just their technical domain.

3. The transition from technologist to executive requires a shift from building components to designing systems and enabling others.

4. As technology becomes more commoditized, the roles of CIO and CISO are increasingly overlapping, with security becoming central to most IT decisions.

5. Understanding when to delegate and create repeatable systems is essential for scaling leadership impact.

In this insightful episode, Den Jones sits down with Rinki Sethi, Chief Security Officer at Upwind, to discuss her remarkable journey from teenage hacker to cybersecurity executive. Rinki shares valuable perspectives on leadership, building security culture, and the evolving role of security executives in today's technology landscape.

"I think it's noisy because that's how big the problem is. There's room for folks and companies that are going to build something that might get acquired, and room for people building brand new platforms."

- Rinki Sethi on cybersecurity innovation

"Take risks early on and be super curious. It's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. We don't have to be perfect in any of our roles."

- Rinki Sethi's advice for women in tech

CALL TO ACTION:

Subscribe to 909 Exec wherever you get your podcasts for more wit and wisdom in cybersecurity from host Den Jones and his network of industry leaders.

Share this episode with colleagues interested in security leadership, innovation, and career development.

In this thought-provoking discussion, cybersecurity veterans debate whether the industry truly faces a talent shortage or an expectations problem. The panel explores how hiring practices, remote work trends, and training investments impact the ability to match qualified candidates with appropriate positions in today's evolving workplace.

GUEST INFORMATION:

Name: Amelie Koran

Title/Credentials: Cybersecurity

ExecutiveBackground: 25+ years in cybersecurity, former government agency experience

Name: Bil Harmer

Title/Credentials: CEO and Founder of Kill Switch Advisory

Background: 30+ years in industry, 5-time CISO

Name: Deidre Diamond

Title/Credentials: Founder and CEO of Cyber SN

Background: 11 years in talent matching solutions, 3 years in workforce risk management

Name: Nicholas Moy

Title/Credentials: Cybersecurity

ProfessionalBackground: 15+ years in security engineering, operations, and product management

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

[00:03:16] - Is There Really a Skills Gap?Deidre explains there is a crisis, but it's more about experience than skillsCompanies want candidates with specific experience rather than trainable talentKey quote: "If we're not willing to train and we will only take people that have the majority of what I need them to do as experience that they're doing now, I'm not going to hire them." - Deidre Diamond

[00:07:59] - The Technology Specialization ProblemEmployers often look for candidates with specific technology experienceHiring for adaptability and broader skill sets is more valuable long-term

Key quote: "I would rather hire somebody with Fortinet experience because then they will learn this and they will bring what they know from the other side to it." - Bil Harmer

[00:12:25] - Job Description Accuracy Issues

Many hiring managers don't accurately describe what they're looking for.

Digital job posting has made companies less careful about job descriptions

Key quote: "What they say doesn't always match what they want, especially for leadership roles because it can ruin a team." - Nicholas Moy

[00:19:04] - The Remote Work Revolution

Companies requiring in-office work face 5x longer hiring times

Organizations must build their culture around their work model

Key quote: "If they're doing it, they're doing it. If they're not doing it, they're not doing it. Everybody's made their choices as companies." - Deidre Diamond

[00:25:55] - The Decline of Training Investment

Companies view training as a cost center rather than investment

Employees often lack time to complete available training

Key quote: "I gave up my own training dollars to make sure my staff got training." - Amelie Koran

[00:34:30] - Tips for Hiring Managers and Job Seekers

Document actual job requirements rather than ideal candidate personas

Build and maintain your network before you need it

Key quote: "Read that job description to get through the ATS, read the job description and use their words back to them." - Bil Harmer

From Belgium to the Bay Area — join us as Simon Wijckmans, Founder & CEO of CSide, shares his inspiring startup journey with host Den Jones.

💡 We dive into:- Building a cybersecurity startup from scratch- The power of networking in tech- How CSide is securing the modern webIf you're into cybersecurity, startups, or just love a good founder story — this one’s for you. 🔐🚀

👉 Listen now. Be inspired.And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to keep supporting real stories from the frontlines of tech. 💥

#909Exec #Cybersecurity #StartupJourney #FounderStories #WebSecurity #CyberStartup #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Infosec #PodcastRecommendations #CyberLeaders #SecurityInnovation #LikeShareSubscribe

In this special episode of 9 0 9 Exec, host Aaron Wurthmann flips the script and interviews Den Jones, founder and CEO of 909 Cyber, about his latest initiative, Intern Connect.

Discover how this innovative platform is bridging the gap between cybersecurity students and employers, offering real-world experience and opportunities for emerging talent.

Den shares insights from his successful career at Adobe and Cisco, and explains how Intern Connect is set to revolutionize the way companies engage with early talent.

Tune in to learn about the challenges and triumphs of launching a mission-driven initiative, and why patience and enthusiasm are key to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.