Cyber Leaders

In this episode, Ciaran and James meet Christine Gadsby, Vice President and CISO at BlackBerry, to talk supply chain security; from exploding pagers to software liabilities. Christine reflects on how the industry is maturing around regulation, secure development, and vendor accountability as well as what happens when even hardware becomes a weapon. Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at...

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Ross McKerchar, CISO at Sophos, to discuss one of the most significant – and to some, controversial – counter cyber operations ever carried out by a private company. Ross shares insights from the frontlines of the Pacific Rim campaign, as well as the shifting dynamics of the cybersecurity industry and what active defence really looks like in practice...

Kicking off series two, Ciaran and James sit down with none other than the CIO of NATO, Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer, to discuss what collective defence means in the cyber domain. Manfred offers a rare inside look at managing security and information risk across NATO’s vast digital landscape and shares insights on emerging threats, evolving technologies, and how the Alliance is adapting to keep its me...

In this episode, Lisa Forte, founder of Red Goat, joins Ciaran and James to discuss risk, security and the threat from within. Lisa offers her expertise on insider threat, crisis management, and high risk adventures.  Highlights: Insider threat; the breakdown U.S. CERT definitions and mitigation Defining Insider Threats | CISA | Insider Threat Mitigation Guide   NPSA guidance and tools Insider Ris...

We're Back for Season 2! Catch up on episodes from Season 1: https://www.sans.org/podcasts/cyber-leaders/ Contact: Have questions or comments? Email us at cyberleadersnetwork@sans.org

In this bonus episode, Ciaran and James ring in the new year with a look back at the standout guests and thought-provoking topics from series one. They also take a sneak peek at what 2025 holds for the ever-evolving world of tech security. And to top it off, there’s a special announcement to chase away those January blues. Highlights: Typhoon Variants Ciaran and James take a look at developing cyb...

In this special bonus episode, Ciaran and James tackle one of their favorite cybersecurity acronyms: FUD – Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. Here our hosts break down what exactly FUD means for cybersecurity, why it matters, and the real-world risks it presents.  Highlights: Notable Example of FUD - The Killer Drones story; FUD in action and then retraction - Highlights from the RAeS Future Combat Air...

In this episode, Ciaran and James sit down with investigative journalist and author, Geoff White, to explore the booming business of cyber crime. Geoff sheds light on this murky criminal underworld, its far-reaching consequences, and how cybersecurity has evolved in the public eye. Highlights: [1:30] Overview of Geoff’s notable work [4:00] Cybersecurity in the Limelight [10:15] Transformative Hack...

In this episode, Ciaran and James sit down with Helen Rabe, CISO for the BBC, to discover the challenges of breaking into the industry and her experiences leading security for one of the world’s largest broadcasters. Helen shares her expertise as a certified industry leader, discussing the rising tide of personal liability for CISOs and the intense media scrutiny that comes with managing incident...

In this episode, Ciaran and James welcome their first guest from the SANS Institute, Frank Kim, to share insights on bridging the gap between cybersecurity and business leadership. Frank unpacks why cybersecurity is often overlooked by business leaders and discusses effective strategies to elevate its importance in boardrooms and beyond. Highlights: [4:30] Cyber on the World Stage [12:00] Dispelli...

In this episode, Ciaran and James meet Jen Ellis, founder of NextJenSecurity, to discuss the pervasive threat of ransomware, the power of cyber security advocacy and importance of security best practices. Jen shares her expertise on humanising security and working with governments to build robust defenses against cyber attacks.  Highlights:   [3:00] Overview of Jen’s achievements and engagements [...

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Christine Bejerasco, the CISO of WithSecure, for an insightful conversation about navigating the complexities of cybersecurity in today’s global landscape. Christine shares her experiences; from the wild early days of network worms and mobile malware, to the evolving role of the modern CISO and what it takes to lead cybersecurity experts towards a sa...

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, to discuss the geopolitics of cyber security. Shashank offers his expert analysis on critical cyber security events, strategies, and their global implications. Highlights [2:00] Entry into Cyber [5:00] Iran-Israel Cyber Skirmishes [8:00] The XZUtils Story [11:00] Historical example highlighting the hum...

Join us for an unfiltered journey into the minds of the leaders shaping the future of cybersecurity. In each episode, we embark on a curiosity-driven exploration to uncover hidden truths, share unlearned lessons, and offer critical insights to help you enhance your knowledge, sharpen your strategies, and lead the way in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Contact: Have questions or comments? Ema...