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Why Cyber Collaboration Is the Secret Weapon in Credit Unions with Sai Poguluru
In This Episode
Sai opens the conversation by offering insight into the scale and strategy behind YNCU’s cybersecurity posture—supporting 50,000+ members with just 300 employees. He explains how the credit union maintains the same core infrastructure as major banks while relying on collaboration, efficient vendor partnerships, and agile leadership to stay secure on a tighter budget. Sai emphasizes that in the credit union space, collaboration is not just helpful—it’s foundational. Sharing knowledge and best practices with peer institutions allows them to stay ahead of threats and innovate safely.
Matthew and Sai explore the evolution of the tech landscape over the last 30 years, touching on the growing impossibility of being a subject matter expert in every domain. Sai walks through his early days designing PCBs and managing data centers, explaining how every role—from firmware programming to vendor management—shaped his leadership style. His reflections on starting at the help desk and his strong belief in the value of cross-functional learning offer actionable advice to anyone entering or navigating a cybersecurity career.
The conversation then pivots to education—both technical and interpersonal. Sai makes a compelling case for pursuing advanced degrees like an MBA to improve business communication, leadership alignment, and long-term ROI. He also offers an honest critique of most cybersecurity training programs and shares his approach: prioritizing fundamental security concepts over checklist awareness campaigns. He advocates for live, interactive training sessions that use relatable scenarios to make threats feel real and urgent.
Sai closes by sharing his passion for financial literacy and mentorship. Through YNCU’s internal “YNCUniversity” initiative, he champions structured education programs to help members understand their own finances and security risks better. Whether it's mentoring aspiring professionals or leading board-level simulations, Sai brings clarity, empathy, and strategic foresight to every layer of the cybersecurity conversation.
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By Matthew ConnorIn This Episode
Sai opens the conversation by offering insight into the scale and strategy behind YNCU’s cybersecurity posture—supporting 50,000+ members with just 300 employees. He explains how the credit union maintains the same core infrastructure as major banks while relying on collaboration, efficient vendor partnerships, and agile leadership to stay secure on a tighter budget. Sai emphasizes that in the credit union space, collaboration is not just helpful—it’s foundational. Sharing knowledge and best practices with peer institutions allows them to stay ahead of threats and innovate safely.
Matthew and Sai explore the evolution of the tech landscape over the last 30 years, touching on the growing impossibility of being a subject matter expert in every domain. Sai walks through his early days designing PCBs and managing data centers, explaining how every role—from firmware programming to vendor management—shaped his leadership style. His reflections on starting at the help desk and his strong belief in the value of cross-functional learning offer actionable advice to anyone entering or navigating a cybersecurity career.
The conversation then pivots to education—both technical and interpersonal. Sai makes a compelling case for pursuing advanced degrees like an MBA to improve business communication, leadership alignment, and long-term ROI. He also offers an honest critique of most cybersecurity training programs and shares his approach: prioritizing fundamental security concepts over checklist awareness campaigns. He advocates for live, interactive training sessions that use relatable scenarios to make threats feel real and urgent.
Sai closes by sharing his passion for financial literacy and mentorship. Through YNCU’s internal “YNCUniversity” initiative, he champions structured education programs to help members understand their own finances and security risks better. Whether it's mentoring aspiring professionals or leading board-level simulations, Sai brings clarity, empathy, and strategic foresight to every layer of the cybersecurity conversation.