Quick Take (TL;DR)

This episode examines the evolving cybersecurity economy, the impact of AI on security roles and investments, and why trust, adaptability, and community are more crucial than ever for security leaders.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• (00:00) Introduction — Mike’s journey as the first security hire at a FinTech and the realities of building trust in security leadership.
• (04:32) Security Leadership — Strategies for first-time CISOs, balancing technical depth with business needs, and the importance of level-setting expectations.
• (08:36) The Cybersecurity Economy — Mike’s five-pillar framework: investment, government, regulation, labor market, and community.
• (13:07) AI’s Impact — How AI is reshaping security investments, the rise of AI-enabled tools, and the explosion of red teaming for AI applications.
• (20:09) Evolving Roles — The growing importance of AI governance, the dual mandate for CISOs, and the enduring need for fundamentals like authentication and identity.
• (34:34) Mike’s advice on building a personal brand, sharing experiences.
• (41:27) The future of Return on Security.
• (43:44) Closing

Guest Spotlight

Mike Privette is the founder of Return on Security, recognized as the industry’s first cybersecurity economist. He’s known for his in-depth analysis of funding trends, M&A, and the shifting landscape of security and AI. Mike’s work has been featured at B-Sides and followed by thousands of industry leaders.

Connect with Mike: LinkedIn | Newsletter.

Resources & References

Articles / Studies

• Mike’s annual cybersecurity funding reports: Return on Security Newsletter

Tools / Frameworks

• AI Red Teaming (general concept, not a specific tool)
• Mike’s Five-Pillar Cybersecurity Economy Framework (investment, government, regulation, labor, community)

Call to Action

• Conor Sherman — LinkedIn | Website | Sysdig;
• Stuart Mitchell — LinkedIn | Website.
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