Unspoken Security

In this episode of Unspoken Security, host A.J. Nash sits down with Dominic Vogel, founder of Vogel Leadership & Coaching, to discuss the importance of bringing humanity back into the cybersecurity field. Dominic shares his journey from corporate burnout to becoming an advocate for kindness and authenticity in an industry often focused on metrics and technology.

Dominic explains how leading with empathy and building real, human connections can transform the workplace. He emphasizes that in a high-stress field like cybersecurity, creating positive environments is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and productivity. 

The conversation also touches on Dominic’s leadership approach, where he prioritizes relationships and kindness over traditional, rigid business strategies. Tune in to learn how Dominic is reshaping cybersecurity leadership by focusing on people first, showing that a human-centered approach can lead to long-term success in both business and personal life.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash talks with Crystal Morin, Cybersecurity Strategist at Sysdig, about the world of threat hunting. Crystal shares her journey from military linguist to cyber defender, highlighting the skills that translate across these fields.

The conversation dives into what threat hunting is and why it's crucial for proactive cybersecurity. Crystal explains how she developed a company-wide threat-hunting program at Booz Allen Hamilton, emphasizing the importance of open-source tools and training.

Crystal discusses the challenges of funding proactive security measures and the need for more threat hunters in the industry. She also touches on recent discoveries, including novel cybercriminal operations and targeted attacks against large language models. The episode wraps up with insights on making threat hunting accessible to more professionals in the cybersecurity field.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash sits down with Emily Phelps, Director of Marketing Communications at CYWARE. They dive into the core challenges and strategies in cybersecurity marketing. Emily emphasizes the importance of not just attracting customers but ensuring they are the right fit to prevent churn and frustration. She highlights the need for authenticity in marketing messages, noting that misleading claims can harm both the company's reputation and customer trust.

AJ and Emily also discuss the essential goals of marketing within the cybersecurity industry, stressing the need to build and retain a loyal customer base. Emily shares her philosophy on marketing, focusing on creating value and clear, truthful communication rather than succumbing to the pressure of exaggerated claims. She underscores the importance of understanding the audience and articulating the unique value propositions of the company.

The conversation delves into the broader role of marketing in supporting the security community. Emily explains how effective marketing can bridge the gap between technical experts and the market, fostering better understanding and collaboration. This episode provides a candid look at the realities of cybersecurity marketing and the principles that drive successful strategies.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash engages in an insightful conversation with Karla Reffold, Chief Product Officer at Surefire Cyber. The episode dives into the nuances of cybersecurity careers and leadership. Karla shares her journey from a background in recruiting and corporate governance to her current role in cybersecurity, highlighting her expertise in risk assessment and leadership.

Karla discusses the importance of confidence and humility in career advancement, recounting stories of successful career transitions and emphasizing the need for clear career goals. She also reflects on the evolving nature of cybersecurity and the critical role of continuous learning and networking.

AJ and Karla explore the significance of understanding risk in cybersecurity, with Karla underscoring the value of practical experience and networking over formal certifications. The episode concludes with a discussion on the challenges faced by women in the cybersecurity industry and the importance of resilience and self-belief.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash sits down with Paul Ashley, Chief Technology Officer at Anonyome Labs, to explore the intricacies of decentralized identity. Paul explains how decentralized identity offers stronger security and better privacy compared to traditional centralized and federated identity systems. He emphasizes the role of identity wallets, which store user identities and verifiable credentials, ensuring users maintain control over their personal information.

Paul dives into the historical evolution from centralized identity systems in the 1990s to the current decentralized models. He highlights the limitations and privacy concerns associated with federated identity systems, such as data aggregation by large identity providers like Google. These concerns underscore the need for decentralized systems that empower users to manage their identities independently.

The conversation also covers real-world applications of decentralized identity, including mobile driver's licenses, which offer selective disclosure and zero-knowledge proofs. These innovations allow users to share only necessary information, enhancing privacy and security. Paul predicts a significant impact of decentralized identity on the security landscape in the coming years, marking a transformative shift in how personal data is managed and protected.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash welcomes Jeff Foley, founder and leader of the OWASP AMASS flagship project and Vice President and Distinguished Fellow of Research at ZeroFox. They dive into the critical importance of attack surface management (ASM) in cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for visibility from an adversarial perspective. Jeff explains how attackers spend most of their time on surveillance to deeply understand their targets; a vital component to improving the likelihood of being successful during any attack.

AJ and Jeff discuss the transition from government to commercial cybersecurity - including the challenges and opportunities - and Jeff shares his insights on how the commercial sector can benefit from the disciplined and thorough approaches used in government cybersecurity. He stresses the importance of ASM as a form of intelligence, advocating for organizations to identify and manage their attack surfaces as attackers do proactively.

The episode also covers the terminology and misconceptions surrounding ASM, with both AJ and Jeff agreeing that "attack surface management" may not fully capture the essence of the practice, suggesting "attack surface intelligence" as a more accurate term. They underscore the necessity for continuous monitoring and adaptation in a constantly evolving cyber threat landscape.

Finally, as with all episodes of Unspoken Security, our guest (Jeff, in this case), reveals a secret...something that - to this point - has remained unspoken. Like every episode, Jeff doesn't disappoint!

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host AJ Nash welcomes Virgil Capollari, the founder of Adaptive Risk Strategies, to dive into the intricacies of insider threat programs. They discuss the often misunderstood aspects of these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of clear definitions and transparency to foster trust within organizations.

Virgil, leveraging his extensive experience in intelligence and risk management, highlights the fundamental elements required for an effective insider threat program. He stresses the necessity of executive buy-in and continuous training to maintain security awareness across all levels of an organization.

The conversation shifts to the delicate balance of maintaining confidentiality during
investigations while being transparent about processes and objectives. Virgil advises against excessive secrecy which could alienate the workforce the program aims to protect. Instead, he advocates for a collaborative approach to strengthen the program's effectiveness and ensure organizational security.

Finally, as with all episodes of Unspoken Security, AJ presses Virgil to share something he has never talked about before; something unspoken. Virgil responds with a powerful lesson about the risk of - and potential harm that can be caused by - cutting and pasting.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, A.J. Nash and Adam Darrah (Senior Director of Dark Ops, ZeroFox) dive into the symbiosis between intelligence backgrounds and cybersecurity. With his roots in the CIA, Adam brings a nuanced perspective on transitioning these skills to private-sector cybersecurity, emphasizing the value of human insight and technical prowess.

The conversation underscores the blend of experience and innovation, where Adam's journey from the CIA to ZeroFox exemplifies leveraging governmental training in entrepreneurial landscapes. It reflects on the essential role of people in cybersecurity, challenging the notion that technology alone can safeguard digital realms.

Moreover, the dialogue navigates through the ethos of cybersecurity operations, highlighting the critical, yet often unappreciated, human element. It dispels the stereotype of cybersecurity work as purely technical, revealing the depth of human engagement in understanding and mitigating threats.

Finally, as with all episodes of Unspoken Security, Adam reveals what has been "unspoken" in his life up to this point...and it's another great reveal.

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In this episode of "Unspoken Security" - a turbo-charged special recorded live at the RSA Conference last week - host AJ Nash and guest Kayla Williams of DEVO dive into the evolving role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in today’s fast-paced cybersecurity landscape. Kayla, a seasoned CISO with a non-traditional background in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), shares insights into the unique advantages and challenges of her career path. Her expertise in translating security into business terms fosters strong collaborations and aids in securing budgets—essential for driving security initiatives forward.

Kayla emphasizes the strategic importance of aligning security objectives with business goals, highlighting how security is not just a cost center but a growth driver in modern enterprises. Her approach underscores the necessity of communication skills and business acumen for CISOs, which are often overshadowed by the technical aspects of the role.

The conversation also touches on the interpersonal skills crucial for leading security teams, such as emotional intelligence and the ability to manage stress and team dynamics effectively. Kayla’s journey illustrates the broader impacts of security leadership, from fostering trust among customers to navigating the complexities of corporate governance and compliance. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in the broader implications of cybersecurity leadership and its integration with business strategies.

And, as usual, this episode ends with our guest telling us something that has so far gone unspoken...and Kayla overachieved by sharing two very interesting stories that I'm certain you'll want to hear.

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In this episode of Unspoken Security, host A.J. Nash continues his conversation with guests Ana Aslanishvili & Shawn Abelson from Pine Risk Management as they dive into the intricacies of security risk management, challenging the conventional separation between cyber and physical security. They emphasize the critical need for a holistic security approach, shedding light on common assumptions and practices that might not hold up under scrutiny.

Through engaging discussions, the trio uncovers the subtle yet impactful differences between penetration testing and red teaming, illustrating the value of viewing security measures through the lens of potential adversaries. This approach tests the effectiveness of existing security protocols and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving threats.

Listeners are treated to real-world anecdotes, from navigating the challenges of physical security assessments to the nuances of social engineering, offering a rare glimpse into the minds of security professionals who think outside the box to protect organizations from obvious and obscure vulnerabilities.

This episode serves as a reminder of the ever-blurring lines between physical and cybersecurity, urging professionals and organizations alike to adopt a more integrated and dynamic approach to safeguarding their assets.

Finally, as is customary on "Unspoken Security," Ana and Shawn each share something they hadn't previously talked about...something unspoken...and you're going to want to hear their stories.

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