Root To CISO

Certifications feel like progress… but this episode shows why they’re often not what actually moves your career forward. In part 2 of our conversation with Adam Robertson, VP of Enterprise Technology & Information Security at Virgin Galactic, he unpacks what really creates momentum in a cybersecurity career and why relying on certifications alone can leave people feeling stuck.  As he reflects...

 If you want to grow fast in cybersecurity, put yourself in situations where you’re forced to learn. In this episode of Root to CISO, Kris sits down with Adam Robertson, VP of Enterprise Technology & Information Security at Virgin Galactic, to break down what his cybersecurity career journey looks like. He had no perfect roadmap, no textbook progression, just real decisions, real risks, and re...

Want to become a CISO? Sometimes things don't go as planned and it's oka In this bite-sized episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, we recap the career journeys of some cybersecurity leaders. They share their real career journeys, from finance, helpdesk, government, and consulting into senior security leadership roles. You’ll learn why there’s no single path into cybersecurity leadership, and...

What does it really take to become a great leader in cybersecurity? In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast , Kris Rides sits down for part 2 with Jenai Marinkovic to break down more of her career and the real traits, habits, and mindset that separate average professionals from exceptional leaders in cybersecurity. From building side projects and leading without authority to thinking different...

What does it really take to become a CISO? In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast (Season 3) , we sit down with Jenai Marinkovic, a cybersecurity leader with over 25 years of experience, vCISO at our company, Tiro Security & CEO, GRCIE. Jenai, breaks down the reality behind building a career in cybersecurity leadership. She shares how she entered cybersecurity in the early days of the int...

In this episode, we speak to leading Chief Information Security Officers and we ask them to break down the real skills, mindset, and strategies behind successful cybersecurity careers from their personal experience. If you're aiming for a CISO role or growing in cybersecurity, this episode covers:  The top skills every CISO needs (beyond technical knowledge)   Why communication, curiosity, an...

Relying solely on technical skills and certifications is no longer enough to scale your career. In this episode of Root to CISO, top security executives break down the mindset, attitude, and connections needed to advance into cybersecurity leadership. Melina Scotto shares her personal journey, explaining why saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities is a major career catalyst. She narrate...

In today’s competitive market, having top-tier technical skills and certifications is no longer enough to get you hired or promoted. If nobody knows who you are, your talent goes to waste. In this episode, top cybersecurity leaders and CISOs break down why technical expertise is just the baseline, and why mastering "visibility" through networking and authentic branding is the ultimate ca...

Are you worried that AI is going to take your job? This episode is a must listen.  Recorded live from the ServiceNow conference, with Yonesy Nunez, CISO at Surf AI, this episode explores how AI is reshaping cybersecurity careers, and why professionals who adapt now will stay ahead. We break down the growing gap between those embracing AI and those falling behind, the impact on entry-level roles, a...

Breaking into a CISO role, or even landing the interview, requires more than just hitting “apply.” In this bite-sized highlight, Kristina Belnap, Don Baham, and Ben Harris share real-world insights on what actually works (and what doesn’t) in today’s competitive cybersecurity job market. From the power of referrals and building strong networks, to avoiding short tenure red flags and using AI strat...

What would today’s cybersecurity leaders tell their younger selves? In this bite-sized highlight, Melina Scotto, Chris Carter, and Will Gregorian share powerful reflections on the lessons that shaped their careers—from practicing patience and avoiding rushed decisions, to saying yes to new opportunities and staying grounded through it all. Whether it’s embracing risk, building resilience, or focus...

Mythos, Glasswing and the CSA Whitepaper | Root To CISO Podcast

In this byte-sized episode of The Root To CISO Podcast, we bring together insights from Margarita Rivera, Greg Rogers, and John Yeoh on what it really takes to land your first cybersecurity role and build toward a future as a CISO. From leveraging transferable skills and gaining hands-on experience to understanding how to provide value from day one, this episode breaks down practical strategies fo...

In this Root to CISO Byte Size episode recorded live at RSA, Yonesy Nunez joins the conversation to explore the growing impact of AI on cybersecurity careers. While many professionals feel uncertainty about AI’s role, Yonesy shares a powerful perspective: this is one of the greatest opportunities of our time to learn, adapt, and become more multidimensional. From accelerating innovation to removin...

In this episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, Dave Ruiz shares why authenticity is one of the most powerful and overlooked drivers of career growth in cybersecurity. Drawing on his background in military service and critical infrastructure, Davey explains how staying true to yourself, embracing your individuality, and sharing your passions can help you build stronger connections and stand out in a cr...

In this episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, Ben Harris shares why there has never been a better time to accelerate your learning and career using AI. From rapidly building deep knowledge in new domains to creating personal tools like job search CRMs and habit trackers, Ben explains how curiosity and intentional experimentation can create a meaningful edge. He also explores the growing opportunity a...

In this episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, Kayne McGladrey shares practical insights on how cybersecurity professionals can align technical skills with business priorities to strengthen their impact. From conducting meaningful skills gap analyses to communicating security in revenue-focused terms, Kayne explains how CISOs can protect budget, support growth, and position security as a strategic ena...

In this Byte-Size episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Kris Rides is joined by Alexis Gerst of Defense Unicorns to explore how cybersecurity hiring has fundamentally changed. From AI-driven application floods to identity misrepresentation and insider risk, the conversation highlights why recruiting can no longer be treated as just an HR function. Alexis shares practical insights on red flags, iden...

In this bite-size episode of The Root To CISO Podcast, Kris Rides sits down with Nick Bruno to explore how cybersecurity leaders can create meaningful business impact. The conversation focuses on aligning security initiatives with executive priorities, building trust with stakeholders, and positioning cybersecurity as an enabler rather than a blocker. Packed with real-world leadership insight, thi...

In this bite-size episode of The Root To CISO Podcast, Kris Rides and Greg Rogers dive into how cybersecurity professionals can get real value from conferences. The conversation focuses entirely on conferences, from starting with local meetups and networking intentionally, to speaking opportunities, mentorship, and building long-term community connections. This clip highlights why conferences rema...

In this Byte-Size episode of Root To CISO, Kris Rides chats with Nick Demeo from the InfoSec World expo floor about making intentional cybersecurity career moves. They explore why mindset, EQ, and situational awareness often matter more than technical skills alone — and how being open-minded, authentic, and mentor-ready can fast-track your growth in the industry. For more cyber-related career insi...

This short message is a pause from our regular programming to reflect, remember, and give thanks. In this episode, Kris shares appreciation for the Root To CISO community and honors members of the cybersecurity industry we’ve recently lost. We’ll return next week with new content as season three continues.

Recorded live from InfoSec World in Orlando, this Root To CISO Byte-Size episode features a candid conversation between Kris Rides and Michael Powell on the realities facing today’s cybersecurity professionals. From rapid AI adoption and shadow AI to lean teams, staffing constraints, and rising burnout, the discussion explores how security leaders are being forced to rethink risk management, produ...

In this byte-size episode, Kris Rides sits down with longtime friend John Yeoh, Chief Scientific Officer at the Cloud Security Alliance, immediately following their keynote at the North Central Washington Cybersecurity Summit. Together, they explore how cybersecurity uniquely impacts rural communities — from digital combines to small-business supply chains — and why even basic cyber gaps can have...

In this Byte Size episode, Kris sits down with cybersecurity entrepreneur Anil Karmel to unpack one of the most asked-about topics in the industry: how to manage stress and pressure in high-stakes environments. Recorded live at the North Central Washington Cybersecurity Summit, Anil shares real stories from his startup journey, while offering practical, healthy ways cybersecurity professionals can...