In this episode of Beyond The Signal, titled "Fractional, Not Optional: Why vCISOs Are Now Critical Infrastructure," I sit down with David Menichello, Chief Revenue Officer at SideChannel, to explore the evolving role of virtual CISOs (vCISOs). We discuss why strategic security leadership is crucial for small and mid-sized businesses and the risks of delaying its implementation. David sheds light on the hidden costs of reactive security measures and the common misconceptions about vCISOs. We also delve into the importance of integrating proactive and reactive strategies, and how to build trust with companies skeptical of external security resources. Join us as we uncover the critical need for vCISOs in today's cybersecurity landscape.

What happens when AI hype collides with academic complexity, compliance chaos, and real-world cybersecurity risk?

In this episode of Beyond the Signal, we sit down with Tony Teri, Senior Director of Information Technology at a leading academic medical institution, to unpack the realities of AI adoption in higher education cybersecurity. From rogue researchers spinning up ChatGPT instances to the delicate dance between openness and governance, Tony shares what most headlines won’t.

🎓 Topics Covered:

• Why AI won’t replace your job (but might rewrite your SOP)

• How higher ed IT teams are navigating conflicting priorities

• Balancing innovation with compliance in research environments

• Budgeting for AI when every dollar is already spoken for

• The one thing Tony wouldn’t trust AI to do (yet)

Whether you're in cybersecurity, IT leadership, or just trying to stop faculty from uploading patient data to ChatGPT, this episode brings firsthand insights with just the right dose of dry humor.

🔔 Subscribe for more real-world takes on AI, cybersecurity, and digital operations in complex environments.

#AIinHigherEd #CybersecurityPodcast #InformationSecurity #HigherEducationIT #ChatGPT #LLMs #AcademicCybersecurity #BeyondTheSignal #AIgovernance #EdTechSecurity

🎙 From Classrooms to Cyberattacks: How Schools Became Prime Targets Post-COVID | Sandra Sexton, Hondo ISD

In this episode of Beyond the Signal, we sit down with Sandra Sexton, Director of IT at Hondo ISD, to unpack the evolving cybersecurity threats facing K–12 schools in a post-COVID world. With classrooms transformed by remote learning and devices multiplying across campuses, cyber risk has surged—yet resources haven't kept pace.

🔒 What you'll learn in this episode:

- How pandemic-era tech adoption exposed new vulnerabilities

- Why schools are now high-value targets for cybercriminals

- The unexpected cost of free software and "remote learning on demand"

- Creative strategies to translate compliance into outcomes educators care about

- What cyber insurance is now demanding—and how it reshapes roadmaps

- How smaller IT teams are fighting alert fatigue with smart workflows

- What really keeps IT leaders up at night in today’s school ecosystems

💡 Plus: Sandra shares real incident case studies, her advice for other K–12 IT leaders, and what she'd tell her 2020 self about the future of cybersecurity and education.

👉 If you're in K–12 leadership, cybersecurity, or edtech—this is one episode you can’t afford to miss.

🔔 Subscribe for more expert conversations at the intersection of security and strategy.

#K12Cybersecurity #EdTech #RemoteLearning #CyberRisk #SchoolIT #SandraSexton #BeyondTheSignal #GradientCyber

In this episode of Beyond The Signal, I dive into the complex world of maritime cybersecurity with Amit Vasu, CIO and CISO of International Seaways. As one of the largest ocean shipping companies, Amit shares insights on securing ships at sea, where limited connectivity and legacy systems pose unique challenges. We explore the rise of interconnected ship systems, the critical role of AI and MXDR, and the importance of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Amit also discusses managing IT and OT security, compliance with international regulations, and the evolving threat landscape, including ransomware. Join us as we uncover what it truly takes to defend these high-stakes environments.

Small banks, big problems, zero room for breaches. In this episode of Beyond the Signal, we sit down with Jon Densmore, CISO of First Mutual Holding Company (FMHC), to talk about what it really takes to protect mid-market financial institutions from relentless cyber threats—without Fortune 500 budgets.

From managing six different boards to blocking entire continents (literally), Jon shares how FMHC balances community banking with enterprise-grade security, why mid-sized banks are becoming prime targets for attackers, and how a little creativity goes a long way when resources are tight.

🔒 Why hackers are eyeing mid-market banks

📊 How FMHC builds big security on a small budget

🛡️ The must-have strategies to keep local money safe

Live. Laugh. Lock it down. And hit play.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on cybersecurity, XDR, and keeping your business breach-free.

👍 Like, comment, and share if you’ve ever had to do more with less in security.

🔗 Follow us for future episodes and expert insights from the frontlines.

#Cybersecurity #MidMarketSecurity #FMHC #BeyondTheSignal #XDR #DataProtection #FinancialSecurity #CommunityBanking #CISO #BreachPrevention #InfoSec #CyberDefense #GradientCyber #SecureTheBag

Cyber threats against manufacturers are growing, and most companies don’t even realize they’re vulnerable until it’s too late. In this episode of Beyond the Signal, Brad Bilotta from Magnaflux shares firsthand insights into the evolving risks facing industrial organizations, from phishing scams to network intrusions.

We’ll explore why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem, how proactive monitoring makes all the difference, and what steps your company should be taking now to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Neal explores the future of cybersecurity, exploring the potential for a fully autonomous SOC and the pivotal role of AI. Is 2030 the year the machines take over (in a good way)?