In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth engages with Gretchen Pettet, Assistant Vice President and Senior Talent Development at Commerce Bank, discussing the intricacies of leadership, mentoring, and effective communication. They explore the importance of building trust within teams, the necessity of clear communication, and the courage to have candid conversations, especially during challenging times. Gretchen emphasizes the significance of regular feedback and self-awareness for aspiring leaders, providing valuable insights into fostering a positive organizational culture and motivating team members

Takeaways

• You can't motivate others; you must create buy-in.
• Authenticity and self-awareness are crucial for leaders.
• Effective communication is often underestimated.
• Candor is a form of kindness in leadership.
• Feedback should be viewed as a gift.
• Praise should be public, while coaching should be private.
• Leaders must be comfortable with discomfort during tough conversations.
• Regular feedback prevents misunderstandings and miscommunications.
• Self-reflection can expedite career growth and development.
• Building trust is essential for effective leadership.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Tom Bakewell about the critical role of cybersecurity in board governance. They discuss the importance of technology in board discussions, the qualifications needed for board members, and the essential elements of high-performance boards. Tom emphasizes the need for a committed CEO, effective board leadership, and the significance of relationships in governance. The conversation also explores pathways to joining a board and the evolving landscape of board responsibilities in the context of cybersecurity.

Takeaways

1. Cybersecurity is a top concern for boards today.
2. Effective governance requires a committed CEO and strong leadership.
3. Board members should have a mix of skills, including tech knowledge.
4. The role of technology in governance is increasingly important.
5. Board governance is about relationships and teamwork.
6. High-performance boards focus on evaluations and succession planning.
7. Duties of board members include care and loyalty to the organization.
8. Joining a board often starts with non-profit or advisory roles.
9. Understanding governance takes time and experience.
10. The culture of the board is crucial for effective oversight.

For a copy of Tom's first chapter. Email me at [email protected].

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth and guest Matt Connors discuss the critical relationship between leadership and entrepreneurship. They explore how effective leadership is essential for business success, particularly in managing employee relationships and retention. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in enhancing business interactions, the challenges entrepreneurs face during growth, and the importance of creating a supportive corporate culture. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the need for empathy and understanding in leadership, as well as the significance of valuing employees as individuals rather than mere cogs in a machine. In this conversation, Matt shares his insights on leadership, drawing from his experiences in the army and as an entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of a follower in leadership, finding purpose in mundane tasks, and the transformative power of gratitude. Matt also discusses the significance of pursuing excellence in all aspects of work and how a clear mission can inspire employees. The conversation concludes with a focus on the continuous journey of growth and appreciation in leadership.

Takeaways:

• Leadership is crucial for successful entrepreneurship.
• Employee treatment directly impacts business success.
• AI can enhance customer relationships but not replace human interaction.
• Successful companies invest in employee training and retention.
• Entrepreneurs often sacrifice personal relationships for business success.
• Cultural awareness is essential in growing businesses.
• Expectations of employees should align with their roles.
• Not all successful leaders are good role models for small businesses.
• Building a supportive work environment leads to better employee satisfaction.
• Understanding the difference between ownership and employment is key. The army provides diverse leadership experiences.
• To lead effectively, one must first learn to follow.
• Understanding the mission is crucial for all employees.
• Gratitude can transform one's perspective on work.
• Finding purpose in tasks can enhance job satisfaction.
• Leadership is about setting an example, not just giving orders.
• Pursuing excellence is key to long-term success.
• Perspective shifts can change how we view our work.
• Appreciation for small things can lead to greater happiness.
• Continuous growth is essential for effective leadership.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth and guest Andrew Burton discuss the critical role of diet and exercise in managing stress. They explore how proper nutrition and regular physical activity can significantly reduce stress levels, improve mental health, and enhance overall well-being. The conversation delves into recognizing signs of stress, establishing a structured approach to daily routines, and the importance of tracking dietary intake. They also emphasize the need for moderation in all aspects of diet and exercise to achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle. In this conversation, Marc and Andrew discuss the importance of consistency in health and fitness, exploring various aspects such as motivation, workout frequency, overcoming plateaus, and the significance of diet. They emphasize the need for accountability, the role of social connections in fitness, and the importance of proper warm-ups and stretching. The discussion also touches on how to get started with personal training and the common barriers faced by beginners.

Takeaways

• Diet and exercise are underrated forms of stress relief.
• Regular exercise can significantly lower anxiety and depression.
• Disruptions in sleep are a common sign of stress.
• Starting your day with positive thoughts can set the tone.
• A structured approach to diet and exercise helps manage stress.
• Caloric intake must be lower than expenditure for weight loss.
• Tracking your diet can reveal hidden calorie consumption.
• Moderation is key in all dietary choices.
• Artificial sweeteners can lead to cravings for unhealthy foods.
• Even healthy foods can be harmful in excess. Consistency is key to maintaining health and fitness.
• Finding motivation can come from personal trainers or workout partners.
• Accountability is crucial for staying on track with fitness goals.
• Even small amounts of exercise can lead to long-term health benefits.
• Diet plays a more significant role in weight loss than exercise alone.
• It's important to focus on long-term goals rather than short-term results.
• Many people in the gym are supportive rather than judgmental.
• Dynamic stretching is more beneficial than static stretching before workouts.
• Everyone's fitness journey is unique and should be respected.
• Personal training can be tailored to individual needs and goals.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Mark Clancy, CISO of T-Mobile, about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, focusing on talent planning, threat intelligence, and the importance of collaboration. Clancy emphasizes the need for organizations to proactively forecast their talent needs and adapt to the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape. The conversation also highlights the challenges of information sharing within the industry and the role of AI in enhancing security operations. Clancy advocates for moving towards passwordless authentication and improving access review processes to better manage security risks.

Key Takeaways:

• Talent planning should focus on skills forecasting and development.
• Organizations need to anticipate future talent needs proactively.
• Cybersecurity roles often require a mix of skills that are hard to find in one person.
• Effective talent management involves leveraging existing workforce capabilities.
• Threat intelligence must adapt to the rapidly changing cyber threat landscape.
• Collaboration between organizations is essential for effective threat sharing.
• Automated tools can help manage the noise in cybersecurity data.
• Access reviews need to be more context-driven and efficient.
• AI can enhance security operations but requires careful implementation.
• The industry must move towards passwordless authentication methods.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Chris Cockburn, a Cybersecurity Advisor with CISA. They discuss CISA's mission to enhance cybersecurity across critical infrastructure sectors, key findings from the latest IC3 report, and the importance of education and awareness in combating cybercrime.

Chris shares insights on the rise of cryptocurrency fraud, CISA's resources for organizations, and initiatives like Cyber Camp aimed at educating K-12 students about cybersecurity. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective asset management and the potential of AI in enhancing cybersecurity measures.

Key Takeaways

• CISA partners with state and local governments to enhance cybersecurity.
• The IC3 report shows a significant rise in financial losses due to cybercrime.
• Elderly populations are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.
• Education and awareness are crucial for protecting citizens from cyber threats.
• Cryptocurrency lacks the same legal protections as traditional currency.
• CISA offers free vulnerability scanning services to organizations.
• Cyber Camp aims to educate K-12 students about cybersecurity careers.
• Effective asset management is essential for cybersecurity posture.
• Known vulnerabilities often go unpatched, leading to security breaches.
• AI has the potential to help protect vulnerable populations from cyber threats.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Melissa Dukascheck, a yoga expert, about the importance of managing stress in high-pressure environments like cybersecurity. They discuss the role of diet and exercise in stress relief, recognizing stress signals, and the significance of consistency in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Melissa emphasizes the importance of quality nutrition over calorie counting, the benefits of daily movement, and the role of meditation and yoga in reducing stress. The conversation provides practical tips for listeners to incorporate wellness practices into their daily lives.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Joe Sullivan, a security consultant with Joe Sullivan Consulting, about the critical aspects of cybersecurity for startups and small businesses. They discuss foundational security practices, the importance of identity management, and the challenges of implementing security measures in smaller organizations. The conversation also delves into the implications of AI in security, the necessity of third-party risk assessments, and the evolving landscape of robotics and AI security. Sullivan emphasizes the need for transparency in the security industry and the importance of public-private partnerships to enhance cybersecurity efforts.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with Chris Trifiletti, Cyber Security Manager at Ameren, about the complexities of securing critical infrastructure. They discuss the challenges faced by both municipal and investor-owned utilities, the regulatory landscape, and the evolving threats from cybercriminals. Chris shares insights on the importance of training and awareness in cybersecurity, the impact of ransomware attacks, and the need for collaboration across sectors to enhance defenses against emerging threats. The conversation highlights the critical role of resilience in both systems and personnel to mitigate risks in the energy sector and beyond.

Takeaways

• Chris Trifiletti has extensive experience in critical infrastructure security.
• The challenges in securing critical infrastructure vary between municipal and investor-owned entities.
• Regulatory compliance is crucial for both electric and gas sectors.
• Cybersecurity threats often mirror those faced by other industries.
• Physical security challenges include theft, sabotage, and vandalism.
• Ransomware attacks have evolved to include data extortion models.
• Collaboration and information sharing among sectors is essential for defense.
• Training and awareness programs are vital for all personnel in cybersecurity.
• Emerging threats from nation-state actors are a growing concern.
• Resilience in systems and personnel is key to mitigating risks.

In this episode of the Cyber Executive Podcast, host Marc Ashworth speaks with James McQuiggan, a security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, about the growing threat of deep fakes in cybersecurity. They discuss the prevalence of deep fakes, the technology behind them, and the risks they pose to individuals and organizations. The conversation also covers detection methods, the importance of human awareness, and the future of AI in cybersecurity.

Key Takeaways:

• Deep fakes are increasingly used in cyberattacks.
• Audio deep fakes are more prevalent than videodeep fakes.
• Real-time deep fake technology is becoming moreaccessible.
• Detection tools for deep fakes are improving butstill have limitations.
• Human awareness is crucial in identifying deepfakes.
• Deep fakes can severely damage brand reputation.
• Organizations need to implement verificationprocesses.
• The hiring process is vulnerable to deep fakes.
• AI technology is advancing rapidly, makingdetection harder.
• More entry-level positions in cybersecurity areneeded.