Today’s conversation is a fascinating discussion on the nature of data with Jannis Kallinikos, professor of Information Systems at the London School of Economics. Jannis co-wrote the recently published book Data Rules: Reinventing the Market Economy, in which he and co-author Cristina Alaimo posit that data are a fluid cultural record, rather than a static statistical entity. He and Steve discuss the implications of this understanding of data for the security industry, from how it could change regulatory approaches to how we understand ourselves as humans in relation to data.

1. Kallinikos argues that data are not just statistical entities, but cultural entities that convey aspects of our world and reality.

2. Data are cultural records, not just statistical entities, and are fundamental to economic and social transformation.

2. Durbin and Kallinikos discuss concerns about data-driven perspectives reinforcing narrow worldviews.

3. Data regulation needs to reflect data’s interactive and morphing nature and serves to protect society from greedy companies.

4. Kallinikos warns that politics has become instinct-based, with little time for reflection.

1. Data’s role in society, economy, and transformation (0:00)

2. Data’s impact on society, culture, and individual perspectives, with a focus on regulation and balance (7:10)

3. Data as a living entity, challenges for security professionals, and need for education (18:01)

4. Data’s impact on society and politics, with a focus on education and government’s role in protecting data (23:15)

1. “Data are cultural elements and not statistical entities. It makes a whole lot of difference. By cultural entities, we mean that they are records by which we represent our world. and we act upon the world. We use them to produce, we use them to interact, we use them to communicate. In this respect, data are cultural records, once again, and not statistical entities or entities like those ones that contemporary data science debates.“ - Jannis Kallinikos

2. “Think how many things we can do that were out of reach before these beasts and these technologies and the data we produce in the facilities that they prepare for us, how many things we can do that were not virtually possible before. So there is a positive side to it. But as you English say, there is no free lunch in life. And this applies here. We win a lot. But there are also important things that we lose.“ - Jannis Kallinikos

3. “But these are difficult discussions to have in politics. Because they require a little bit of reflection, a step back, a little bit of time. Politics, for good or bad, has become very instinct based over the last three or four decades. Instinct based, more to react, target, and produce reactions of a particular type that are mostly emotional or instinctual.“ - Jannis Kallinikos

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 From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

For our special Summer Listening series, we revisit some favorite listens: episodes that cover some of the most important, and current, issues in cyber.

In today’s episode, Steve speaks with actress, voice coach, leadership consultant, and expert in core energetics, or body-led psychotherapy, Kate Montague. Kate discusses the effectiveness in taking time to reset, what happens when you stay connected to your body and your breath, how to take the temperature of the room when the rooms are remote, and more.

Learn more about Kate Montague.

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For our special Summer Listening series, we revisit some favorite listens: episodes that cover some of the most important, and current, issues in cyber.

Today, ISF CEO Steve Durbin is in conversation with Dr. Brian Cox, professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester. Dr. Cox worked on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland and has co-written several books on physics, including Why does E=mc2? and The Quantum Universe. He’s also known for appearances in many science programmes for BBC radio and television, including In Einstein's Shadow and the BBC Horizon series. Dr. Cox and Steve discuss how to translate a complex message to a lay audience, the need for intellectual honesty, and the value of play even in serious endeavors.

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For our special Summer Listening series, we revisit some favorite listens: episodes that cover some of the most important, and current, issues in cyber.

In this episode, ISF CEO Steve Durbin speaks with computer programmer, philanthropist, and co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak. Woz reminisces about the past and looks into the future of Big Tech, and considers what both could mean for the future of security.

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For our special Summer Listening series, we revisit some favorite listens: episodes that cover some of the most important, and current, issues in cyber. 

In this episode, Steve speaks with a guest whose focus includes human culture, behavior, and storytelling: singer/songwriter and activist Sir Bob Geldof, lead singer of the Boomtown Rats and founding member of Band Aid, famous for raising money for Ethiopian famine relief. Steve and Sir Bob discuss the effect of the Covid19 pandemic on creativity, the political turmoil facilitated by rapidly advancing digital technology, Sir Bob’s hope for fresh ideas, the courage to embrace change, and more.

Learn more about Sir Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats.

Mentioned in this episode:

Novacene: The Coming Age of Hyperintelligence by James Lovelock

For our special Summer Listening series, we revisit some favorite listens: episodes that cover some of the most important, and current, issues in cyber. 

In this evergreen episode, Steve and Tavia discuss the constantly changing world of risk, what security can do to prepare for and mitigate risk, the role of the business leader, and the impact of risk management on strategy and business direction. 

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• ISF Analyst Insight Podcast

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From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management

Steve recently sat for an interview with veteran journalist Julie MacDonald for a feature with The European. Last week, we listened to the first part of that conversation, and today, we’re hearing the second. Julie and Steve talk about scenario planning, transparency within industries, and what good leadership looks like in this complex moment in history.

Key Takeaways:
1. Durbin emphasizes AI’s dependence on data integrity and the importance of starting with good data.
2. Durbin discusses the challenges of geopolitical threats and market flux, and how  organizations must prepare for an uncertain future.
3. Durbin notes increased use of ISF’s supplier assessment tools to mitigate risks due to geopolitical tensions and COVID-19.


Tune in to hear more about:
1. Cyber security, AI, and data integrity (0:00)
2. Cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, and supply chain risks (3:40)
3. Risk management, leadership priorities, and the importance of collaboration (9:28)


Standout Quotes:
1. “Bear in mind that when it all comes crashing down, there isn't a piece of technology in the world that will get your systems back up and running. And so don't forget the role that people have to play. So look after the people, make sure that they understand the important role that they have, because I think all too often, we talk about them being the weakest link. Actually, they're the strongest link.“ - Steve Durbin

2. “You have to focus on the crown jewels. That's your starting point. Very often, people will say to me, well, how much should we be spending? And my answer to that is, it depends. It depends on your risk profile, depends how nervous you are, it depends if you're going to enter new markets, it depends if you're coming out of markets. So you have to, as the leader of an organization, I think, juggle all of those things. And you have to do it in a very sort of swanlike way.“ - Steve Durbin

3. “You will make mistakes. And the mistake itself isn't important. What is important is how you recover from that, and how you learn from it going forward. And how you share that with other people in your organization. And how you become very much more agile to take advantage of some of the opportunities that that might open up.“ - Steve Durbin


Mentioned in this episode:

ISF Analyst Insight Podcast

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From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber, information security, and risk management.

Steve recently sat for an interview with veteran journalist Julie MacDonald for a feature with The European. For the next two weeks, we’ll be presenting that conversation in two parts. In the first part, Julie and Steve discuss the regulatory landscape, improving communication across the business, and how enterprises can successfully marry technology with the human element of work.

1. Durbin emphasizes the importance of alignment in creating a culture that supports risk management and growth.

2. MacDonald emphasizes the need for transparency beyond organizational borders, including collaboration with competitors and regulators.

3. Large organizations have resources to keep up with supply chain risks, while midsize and small enterprises struggle.

4. Durbin stresses the need for basic security practices and security awareness training, providing feedback in real-time to help individuals remember what they should have done.

1. Cybersecurity risks and how businesses can manage them effectively (0:00)

2. Cybersecurity transparency, regulation, and communication (5:13)

1. “I think for security people, what they have to be better at is understanding the role that security plays in achieving the business objectives, the business strategy, because if they can do that, then suddenly they have the ear of the business. On the other side, from the business perspective, they need to understand the role that technology plays in achieving what they're trying to do. Because technology equals security equals risk.“ - Steve Durbin

2. “If you look at the way in which now, technology is all pervasive, we use different elements of technology to do our jobs. So we may be doing something on our own mobile phone, for instance, which we wouldn't have been doing before. So the importance of security awareness has actually increased significantly. “ - Steve Durbin

Mentioned in this episode:

ISF Analyst Insight Podcast

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Today, author and disability diversity expert Ruth Rathblott offers a fresh perspective on how we understand and approach diversity in the workplace. She and Steve discuss how DEI can benefit both your culture and your business, and they give practical tips for leaders looking to build a more inclusive environment.

1. Leaders need to go first in being vulnerable and trustworthy.

2. Hiding is universal and exhausting, and people fear judgement and rejection for keeping secrets.

3. Unhiding can increase staff retention and engagement.

4. Leaders who adopt unhiding can be more innovative and creative, and better connect with millennials and Gen Z employees.

5. Unhiding is the key to connection, and it will make leaders stronger and drive business results in today’s pandemic of loneliness.

1. Diversity, equity, and inclusion with a focus on disability inclusion (0:00)

2. Hiding and sharing personal aspects of one’s identity in the workplace, with a focus on disability and diversity (5:08)

3. Leadership vulnerability and creating a safe space for teams to thrive (10:26)

4. The benefits of “unhiding” in the workplace, leading to increased trust, retention, and innovation (14:41)

5. Uncovering hidden potential through self-awareness and connection (18:49)

1. It's funny, I was talking to a woman recently. And she said, I love this concept of hiding, I love the work that you're doing, Ruth, and as a leader, I will never unhide to my team. And I said, okay, why? And she said, because I don't trust them. And it got me into the space of thinking, Steve, that either she has the wrong team, or she's the wrong leader. Because if we can't trust our teams, why are we in this business? Because that's our job is to build teams that trust us, that work with us, that get us to our next level in terms of a company. And so how do we create those spaces? And it's by leaders going first, and being vulnerable. - Ruth Rathblott

2. “There is a privilege in being able to unhide. I recognize that. In terms of being able, whether you're in the securities industry or in a different industry, because there are still in 2024 reasons that people would be fearful, and for good reason be fearful, of sharing parts of themselves, for retaliation, et cetera. I think where I've seen the benefit and the other side is the retention increases. People feel better about the place that they work, because they don't feel like they have to hide that part of themselves. They feel like this is a company who understands me, I'm going to stay longer. They feel more engaged with their peers, because they're not hiding.” - Ruth Rathblott

3. “I use the methods of therapy. I use the methods of journaling. I use the methods of meditation, to just take a pause in our lives to say, what is holding me back? Where am I hiding part of myself to fit in for fear of judgment and fear of rejection? Take that inventory or that audit on yourself. Acknowledge it.” - Ruth Rathblott

Mentioned in this episode:

ISF Analyst Insight Podcast

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Today is the second in a two-part conversation centered on cultural fluency with global leadership strategist and corporate coach Jane Hyun. Jane is the author of Leadership Toolkit for Asians: The Definitive Resource Guide for Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling and Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians, and co-author of Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences. In this episode, Steve and Jane define cultural fluency and give more tips on fostering cohesion and innovation in global teams.

1. To be effective in a global team with diverse languages and continents, leaders must recognize and attend to cultural differences.

2. Mergers and acquisitions can fail due to cultural differences.

3. In the security industry, retention is a significant issue, and creating a fun and thriving work environment can help address it.

1. Cultural fluency and its importance in leadership, particularly when working with people from different backgrounds and cultures (0:00)

2. Cultural fluency in the workplace (6:17)

1. “It's actually about building leadership capacity to work across difference. And it's not just for one cultural group or another; it’s actually for everyone. To build that cultural self awareness and to create an environment where we can ask questions, thoughtfully, that we give some room to each other.” - Jane Hyun

2. “If the leader can be attuned to those little things and show that kind of empathy that engages someone who feels, perhaps, kind of in the margins, or their voice is not always heard, I think that can make a tremendous difference in how they connect to your company, how loyal they are to you, and how much output you will get from their productivity as well.” - Jane Hyun

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