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Why boards ignore you and how to fix it?
If you are the most knowledgeable person in the room but have the least influence, you are falling into the "IT Crowd" trap.
We know the emotional toll of shouting into the void - carrying the weight of the company's risk while being dismissed as a "blocker" by the very people you are trying to protect.
In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Figueras - a leader who sits on both sides of the boardroom table - to uncover why Boards still treat Cyber Security as a "tech problem" instead of a business risk, and exactly how to change that narrative.
From "survival tactics" used in the charity sector to the single diagram that beats a 50-page risk report, this is a masterclass in executive influence.
🔹 Jessica Figueras is the Co-Founder of CxB – Cyber governance for Boards, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening Board oversight of cyber security. A veteran technology strategist, she previously served as Vice Chair of the UK Cyber Security Council, CEO of Pionen, and Chair of NCT (the UK’s largest charity for parents). She bridges the gap between Government, Civil Society, and the C-Suite.
Learn more about CxB here: https://www.cxb.org.uk/
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
The Influence Gap: Why the "IT Crowd" stigma is still killing CISO careers in 2026 (and the one non-tech skill to break it).
The AI Threat: How Boards must govern a workforce of "Human & Digital" identities in the age of Agentic AI and Deepfakes.
Visual Influence: Why a simple diagram wins more budget than a 50-page risk report.
Zero Budget Warfare: "Survival tactics" from the Charity Sector that every corporate CISO should adopt today.
Governance vs. Management: How to stop the Board from just "checking boxes" and make them accountable for resilience.
Social Impact: Why your security strategy must extend beyond the balance sheet to protect civil society.
The "Summit Effect": Why closed-door peer networking is more valuable than any vendor event.
Parental Warning: A critical reality check on the digital mistakes parents are making right now.
Career Truths: What to tell a 16-year-old who thinks they aren't "smart enough" for a career in tech.
📅 Join us at the upcoming Cyber Leaders’ Summit:
✅ The first open to Leaders from the Financial Services sector on 28th January, Register interest here: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/cyber-leaders-summit-financial-services
✅ The second open to leaders across all industries we invite you to join us on 21-22nd April in London. Register interest here: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/cyber-leaders-summit-london
👋 Jay Adamson and Warren Atkinson welcome you to the SECURE | CYBER CONNECT Podcast, where we’re joined by Information and Cyber Security, Technology, and Talent Acquisition professionals who share their journeys, unique perspectives, and offer valuable advice and guidance.
The SECURE | CYBER CONNECT Community & team offers tailored resources and strategic introductions to help you thrive in the evolving landscape of Corporate Governance, Information Security & Cyber Security, addressing Cultural, Technological & Talent Acquisition challenges.
✅ Learn More & Join Our Community: https://linktr.ee/securecyberconnect
📺 WATCH MORE: https://www.youtube.com/@SECURECyberConnectCommunity/videos
🗓️ NEW EPISODES available every week.
🔔 We appreciate your support - Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE and SHARE to encourage diverse and inclusive knowledge sharing.
View all episodes
By Jay Adamson & Warren AtkinsonIf you are the most knowledgeable person in the room but have the least influence, you are falling into the "IT Crowd" trap.
We know the emotional toll of shouting into the void - carrying the weight of the company's risk while being dismissed as a "blocker" by the very people you are trying to protect.
In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Figueras - a leader who sits on both sides of the boardroom table - to uncover why Boards still treat Cyber Security as a "tech problem" instead of a business risk, and exactly how to change that narrative.
From "survival tactics" used in the charity sector to the single diagram that beats a 50-page risk report, this is a masterclass in executive influence.
🔹 Jessica Figueras is the Co-Founder of CxB – Cyber governance for Boards, a non-profit dedicated to strengthening Board oversight of cyber security. A veteran technology strategist, she previously served as Vice Chair of the UK Cyber Security Council, CEO of Pionen, and Chair of NCT (the UK’s largest charity for parents). She bridges the gap between Government, Civil Society, and the C-Suite.
Learn more about CxB here: https://www.cxb.org.uk/
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
The Influence Gap: Why the "IT Crowd" stigma is still killing CISO careers in 2026 (and the one non-tech skill to break it).
The AI Threat: How Boards must govern a workforce of "Human & Digital" identities in the age of Agentic AI and Deepfakes.
Visual Influence: Why a simple diagram wins more budget than a 50-page risk report.
Zero Budget Warfare: "Survival tactics" from the Charity Sector that every corporate CISO should adopt today.
Governance vs. Management: How to stop the Board from just "checking boxes" and make them accountable for resilience.
Social Impact: Why your security strategy must extend beyond the balance sheet to protect civil society.
The "Summit Effect": Why closed-door peer networking is more valuable than any vendor event.
Parental Warning: A critical reality check on the digital mistakes parents are making right now.
Career Truths: What to tell a 16-year-old who thinks they aren't "smart enough" for a career in tech.
📅 Join us at the upcoming Cyber Leaders’ Summit:
✅ The first open to Leaders from the Financial Services sector on 28th January, Register interest here: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/cyber-leaders-summit-financial-services
✅ The second open to leaders across all industries we invite you to join us on 21-22nd April in London. Register interest here: https://www.cyber-leaderssummit.com/cyber-leaders-summit-london
👋 Jay Adamson and Warren Atkinson welcome you to the SECURE | CYBER CONNECT Podcast, where we’re joined by Information and Cyber Security, Technology, and Talent Acquisition professionals who share their journeys, unique perspectives, and offer valuable advice and guidance.
The SECURE | CYBER CONNECT Community & team offers tailored resources and strategic introductions to help you thrive in the evolving landscape of Corporate Governance, Information Security & Cyber Security, addressing Cultural, Technological & Talent Acquisition challenges.
✅ Learn More & Join Our Community: https://linktr.ee/securecyberconnect
📺 WATCH MORE: https://www.youtube.com/@SECURECyberConnectCommunity/videos
🗓️ NEW EPISODES available every week.
🔔 We appreciate your support - Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE and SHARE to encourage diverse and inclusive knowledge sharing.