Cyber Sip

Kevin Szczepanski and Bob Buda, one of the first-ever certified Oracle database administrators, dive into database design, security, and management. To frame the conversation, Bob asks a hypothetical CEO this question: “What percentage of your annual salary would you wager that your data is totally secure?” He provides background about database design and the critical need for data security. Bob and Kevin also discuss the significance of selecting valuable use cases for AI implementation within businesses of all sizes and the need for comprehensive security measures, including the concept of zero trust. Listen in for the full conversation.

In this episode ofCyber Sip, Kevin Szczepanski welcomes plaintiff-side attorney David Lietz, a senior partner at Milberg. David and Kevin take a deep dive into the complexities of data breach class actions, including their evolution, the risks of identity theft, legal standing, and the settlement process. They note the many reasons people give to not join class actions, also pointing out new methods for upping the rates at which people do participate and what some of the benefits may be. They emphasize the importance of being proactive in protecting oneself from data breaches and offer insights into the legal landscape surrounding these cases.

Welcome back to Season 4! In this episode of Cyber Sip, Kevin Szczepanski and Kelly Geary, managing principal of Epic Insurance Brokers & Consultants and national practice leader of Professional, Executive & Cyber Solutions, discuss the current state of the cyber insurance market, the impact of AI on cybersecurity, and the challenges organizations face in implementing effective cybersecurity measures. They explore the rise of social engineering fraud, particularly through deepfake technology, and emphasize the importance of regular training and tabletop exercises to prepare organizations for potential cyber threats. The conversation highlights the need for a proactive approach to cybersecurity and the evolving landscape of insurance coverage in the face of new technologies.

Welcome to Season 4! In this candid solo season opener, host Kevin Szczepanski shares his personal experience of losing his laptop—and hopes listeners heed the valuable lessons he learned. Join Kevin now for essential steps to take immediately after the loss of a device, including contacting your IT department, changing passwords, and reporting the loss to the police. He also delves into the role of IT departments in recovering lost devices and helping to ensure data security. While Kevin’s story has a happy ending, he emphasizes the importance of being cautious, attentive, and prepared.

In this conversation, Sandeep Batta, lead solutions architect for IBM Hyper Protect, discusses the importance of a zero trust cybersecurity model. Sandeep particularly focusses on the rise of digital assets, the implications of quantum computing, and the necessity for organizations to adopt quantum-safe encryption. He emphasizes the need for a secure environment to protect critical data and infrastructure and the role of crypto services in ensuring data security. He also touches on the critical importance of hardware security modules (HSM) in data protection. The discussion also covers the necessity of building secure software pipelines, highlighting the importance of trust in technology. Kevin also signs off for the season with this episode. Stay tuned for Season 4!

Kevin Szczepanski is joined by insurance and technology veteran analyst and author Barry Rabkin as they take a deep dive into all things cyber, cyber risk, and insurability. Barry sets the stage by addressing the evolution of cyber risk and noting that the CrowdStrike outage was both a wake-up call and a harbinger of what’s to come. Kevin and Barry then discuss cyber and operational technology (OT) vs information technology (IT). Their deeper dive into what cyber risks are (“corruption, disruption, destruction, nuisance, and theft”) leads them to note that our world, instead of terraforming, is cyberforming. Listen in as Barry shares more, including about his forthcoming book, “Ramifications of Insurance Commerce in the Cyber Age.”

Kevin Szczepanski and Brian Haugli, CEO of SideChannel, discuss the implications of the recent CrowdStrike incident. CrowdStrike, an endpoint detection and response (EDR) provider, pushed an update that caused worldwide system crashes and downtime for their customers. Brian and Kevin analyze what happened and look at how CrowdStrike responded. The EDR is still being criticized (and in some cases sued) for its process, timing, and lack of empathy and accountability. The incident raises questions about vendor selection, procurement contracts, and the need for better control and auditing of software updates. Kevin and Brian emphasize that it’s still important to maintain good security practices, including embracing EDR technology. One outcome of the incident, they add, is looking at the role of the government in regulating EDR firms.

In this episode, Kevin Szczepanski and Dean Mechlowitz of TEKRiSQ discuss the blind spot that organizations may have when it comes to cyber risks and the need for a cyber risk assessment. They note that the tactics used by criminals to compromise data often don’t require a highly skilled hacker, yet many organizations believe they are secure. Dean emphasizes the importance of conducting a cyber risk assessment to identify and prioritize risks based on the type of data, technology, processes, and regulatory requirements of the organization. Kevin and Dean also discuss the role of cyber insurance in risk management. Listen in to make sure you’ve done what you can to protect your business. 

In a quick solo episode, host Kevin Szczepanski offers

Kevin Szczepanski and guest Laura Zaroski, managing director of Gallagher's law firms practice, discuss law firms’ varied responses regarding the use of generative AI: some embrace it while others prohibit it. They also explore benefits and risks of using AI, including the importance of checking work, avoiding sanctions, and client disclosures. They then touch on the potential impact on insurance coverage and underwriting. Firms should consider their risk tolerance and their cases’ value when determining coverage limits. Another best practice is to establish and regularly revisit guidelines or policies for AI use. Kevin and Laura emphasize the need for law firms to understand and strategically use AI while also being aware of the potential dangers.