The Hands On CISO

In this conversation, Michael Hensley, head of cybersecurity at Modern Health, shares his journey from software development to cybersecurity, discussing the evolving landscape of the field, the unique challenges faced in health tech, and the importance of community and mentorship. He emphasizes the need for effective communication in leadership roles, the balance between employee education and implementing security measures, and the future trends in cybersecurity, including the role of AI and third-party vendor risks.

In this episode, Adi interviews Dexter Blakely, an information security manager, about his journey in the security field and the challenges of balancing business and security. Dexter shares his experience starting from the help desk and working his way up to becoming a security leader. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of different stakeholders and tailoring conversations to their language. Dexter also discusses the evolving nature of cybersecurity, the impact of the pandemic on security practices, and the future challenges and hopes for the industry.

In this conversation, John Hathaway, VP of IT Security at Cambridge Savings Bank, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the importance of understanding security blind spots, and the balance between security measures and productivity. He emphasizes the need for continuous education, the challenges faced in cybersecurity today, and the role of AI in shaping future security practices. Hathaway also shares insights on leadership decisions, the stress associated with security roles, and offers advice for those looking to enter the cybersecurity field.

Christopher Russell, CISO of tZero Group, shares his journey in the security field and discusses the role of a CISO. He emphasizes the importance of being customer-facing and understanding the needs and concerns of different stakeholders. Russell also highlights the balance between technical skills and soft skills in the CISO role. He provides insights into his day-to-day responsibilities, including incident response and the importance of trusting one's instincts. Russell discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the impact of AI, and the need for continuous learning in the field.

In this conversation, Adi interviews Dimitrius Stergiou, a CISO with over two decades of experience in security. They discuss Demetrius' journey in the field and the challenges and responsibilities of being a CISO. Demetrius emphasizes the importance of understanding the company's needs and goals when taking on the role of a CISO. He also highlights the need for a balance between security and business requirements, as well as the importance of communication and collaboration with different teams within the organization. Demetrius shares his thoughts on the evolving nature of cybersecurity, the impact of cloud-based services, and the role of AI in the field. He also provides advice for those looking to enter the cybersecurity field and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and specialization.

Sebastiaan Gybels, an accomplished senior IT and security executive, shares his journey into cybersecurity and the importance of both technical and soft skills in the field. He emphasizes the need to understand the business side of cybersecurity and the importance of communication and collaboration with other departments. Sebastian also discusses the challenges of keeping up with the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape and the importance of continuous learning and experimentation. He highlights the value of networking and engaging with online communities to connect with other cybersecurity professionals. Sebastian shares insights into different approaches to cybersecurity based on the maturity and size of the organization. He also discusses the role of a CISO and the balance between technical implementation and managing the business side of cybersecurity. Sebastian shares his experiences with security incidents and the importance of building a security culture within the company. He discusses the impact of AI and blockchain on cybersecurity and the need for consolidation in the security market. Sebastian concludes by emphasizing the importance of diversity in the cybersecurity field and the mindset of continuous learning and adaptability.

In this conversation, Adi interviews Jose Alvarado, the Director of Information Security at Stax Payment, about his journey in the field of cybersecurity. Jose shares how his interest in IT and networking led him to specialize in cybersecurity. They discuss the difference between IT and security roles, the importance of collaboration and communication in the security field, and the challenges of creating a security-focused culture within an organization. Jose also shares his experience dealing with a serious incident involving ransomware and emphasizes the need for organizations to assess and validate their security measures. The conversation with Jose focused on the challenges and priorities in cybersecurity, the importance of effective communication, the issue of burnout in the industry, and advice for those starting out in cybersecurity. Jose emphasized the need for organizations to ensure they are actually implementing the security measures they claim to have in place. He also discussed the challenge of balancing technical expertise with business understanding and the importance of concise and effective communication. Jose highlighted the issue of burnout in the tech industry and emphasized the need for leaders to be aware of their team's workload and mental well-being. He advised those starting out in cybersecurity to prioritize gaining experience and knowledge, rather than focusing on money, and to seek out opportunities that provide a wide range of experiences. Jose also discussed the evolution of cybersecurity as a separate field and the satisfaction he finds in completing projects and seeing the results of his team's efforts.

Holger Sontag, CISO of Privé Technologies, shares his insights on working in the field of security. He discusses his passion for solving puzzles and making things better for those who lack knowledge in security. Holger highlights the differences between working on the vendor side and in internal departments, emphasizing the importance of ongoing tasks and customer interaction. He also discusses the challenges of working in regulated industries and the need to stay updated in a rapidly changing field. Holger emphasizes the importance of building a security culture within organizations and the role of effective communication and awareness training. He shares his experiences with severe security incidents and the importance of staying calm and focused during stressful situations. Holger also discusses the balance between security and business, the challenges of remote work, and the future of cybersecurity.

In this episode of the Hands on CISO podcast, Adi interviews Korab Osmanaj, a seasoned information security expert and CISO at PriBank. Korab shares his unique journey into cybersecurity, detailing his diverse background and the evolution of his career. He discusses the dynamic responsibilities of a CISO, the importance of balancing security with usability, and the challenges of incident response. Korab emphasizes the significance of continuous learning, the human factor in security, and the future trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape. He concludes with valuable advice for those looking to enter or advance in the field of cybersecurity.

Maxim Mošarov, CEO and founder of Whitespots.io and CISO of Salmon Group, discusses his journey as a CISO and founder. He shares his experience working as an application security manager and the challenges he faced in communication between different teams.