Cyber Talks

Agentic AI is moving from hype to reality, reshaping how enterprises operate, and how cyber defenders must adapt. In this CyberTalks episode, Mark Gillett (Chief Product Officer, eSentire) is joined by Ben Wilde (Head of Innovation, Georgian) to break down the risks, reliability challenges, and opportunities presented by autonomous AI agents. In this episode, we explore: How AI agents expand the e...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, Greg Crowley and Dwayne Smith delve into the critical role of cybersecurity in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). They discuss how cyber risks can significantly affect company valuations and the challenges that arise during these transactions. Dwayne shares his experiences, highlighting the importance of educating stakeholders about potential security issues that c...

In today's episode of the Cyber Culture Café series, Andy and John speak to Tia Hopkins, Chief Cyber Resilience Officer & Field CTO. As Chief Cyber Resilience Officer & Field CTO, Tia Hopkins is focused on engaging with the cybersecurity community, providing thought leadership, supporting strategic customer and partner engagements, and working closely with the sales, marketing, product...

In today's episode of the Cyber Culture Café series, Andy and John speak to Ciaran Luttrell, VP of Global Security Operations. As the VP, Global Security Operations, Ciaran began our European HQ and Security Operations Centre in Cork, Ireland in 2015, and led its initial setup and continued growth to form part of a best-of-breed 24/7/365 Global SOC function with 150 team members. He is respons...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, we speak with Craig Peppard, CISO at Ivari Canada, about why people and processes - not just technology - are the real frontline in cybersecurity. The conversation unpacks the limitations of traditional security awareness training, explores how to move beyond blame to address systemic process failures, and highlights the growing importance of soft skills like empath...

In today's episode of the Cyber Culture Café series, Andy and John speak to Alexander Feick, VP of our eSentire Labs team. As the VP of Labs, Alex Feick leads a team responsible for fostering innovations from security professionals on our platform and integrating new technologies into the company's services. Over the past year, his efforts have centered on Generative AI security and enabli...

Cybersecurity isn't just about platforms and processes—it’s about people. If relationships matter in cybersecurity, this is where they begin. So, we're introducing a new, breakout series from the eSentire Cyber Talks Podcast – the Cyber Culture Café series! In this series, John Moretti and Andy Lalaguna will sit down for a candid conversation with one of the key players behind the eSentire...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, Tia Hopkins, Chief Cyber Resilience Officer & Field CTO at eSentire, and Roselle Safran, Founder & CEO at KeyCaliber, discuss the evolution of Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) and its role in modern cybersecurity. They explore the practical application of CTEM, its benefits for business context in security, and how it integrates with Managed Dete...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, Rich Raether, CIO of Quarles & Brady, and Andrew DeBratto, CISO of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, discuss their decades-long journey in IT and cybersecurity. They recount shared projects, including navigating early security challenges, and reflect on how the industry has transformed, focusing on threat management and resilience-building. Rich and Andrew also share th...

The cyber threat landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with increasingly sophisticated attacks from both nation-state actors and cybercriminals. Organizations must not only stay informed about emerging threats but also act swiftly to operationalize threat intelligence. Effective cybersecurity requires collaboration, cutting-edge tools, and strategic partnerships to mitigate risks in this...

In this episode, Erin McLean chats with Mark Benaquista, a seasoned cybersecurity leader and Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners. Mark shares his career journey from starting as an associate at JPMorgan to leading cybersecurity portfolios across various industries. He offers valuable insights into the importance of aligning technology with business objectives and the critical role cybersec...

How did Greg Crowley, eSentire's CISO, go from a potential career in broadcast television to IT? In this episode of eSentire Cyber Talks, Greg shares what influenced his pivot into cybersecurity, how he transitioned from being a Systems Engineer to a leadership role at WWE (formerly WWF) to developing the company’s first security program amidst its expansion to a global enterprise. Greg also d...

The manufacturing threat landscape is evolving rapidly, with increased automation and remote access needs making Operational Technology (OT) environments more vulnerable to cyber threats. As attackers become more sophisticated, manufacturers must adapt to protect their critical infrastructure and maintain business continuity. Join Tia Hopkins, Field CTO & Chief Cyber Resilience Officer at eSen...

The manufacturing industry is facing an increasingly complex threat landscape, characterized by expanding attack surfaces due to continuous IT transformation and interconnected OT environments. Key threats such as ransomware and sophisticated social engineering attacks are exploiting these vulnerabilities, making robust security measures and swift incident response crucial. Join Spence Hutchinson,...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, Erin McLean and Eldon Sprickerhoff, Founder & Advisor of eSentire, to discuss the latest trends and misconceptions in cybersecurity. Eldon shares his recent experience of being inducted into the Waterloo Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, reflecting on his journey and the importance of support from his family and colleagues. The conversation dives into debunking pervasi...

In this episode of Cyber Talks, Erin McLean, Chief Marketing Officer at eSentire, sits down with Bob Layton, Chief Channel Officer, and Tommy Wald, CEO of RIATA Technologies, to discuss the evolution of MSSP services, the importance of building strong client relationships, and the necessity of robust vendor partnerships. Tommy and Bob also share their experiences and insights on transitioning from...

Although mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are strategic moves that can propel companies toward greater market share, enhanced capabilities, and increased innovation, one critical aspect often overlooked is cybersecurity. Ensuring robust cybersecurity during the M&A process is paramount, as it safeguards the integrity of both companies involved, protects sensitive data, and mitigates potenti...

For those who want to enter the cybersecurity field, especially if they come from a non-technical background, there is no shortage of opportunities. Just ask Kristin Kelly, our Growth Marketing Programs Specialist, who was recently recognized as a Young Professional to Watch by the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). In this conversation with Erin McLean, Chief Marketing Officer at...

In this episode, Ciaran Luttrell, Sr. Director of SOC Operations, EMEA, is joined by Rob Watson, SVP Security Services, to discuss security operations. Specifically, they chat about how SOCs should be structured, how to build a high-performing team of SOC Analysts, helping your team tackle burnout, and what it really takes to build an in-house SOC. Key conversation topics include: How to structure...

In this episode, we sit down with Spence Hutchinson, Sr. Staff Threat Intelligence Researcher with our Threat Response Unit (TRU), and chat about the ransomware landscape, the cybercriminal "gig" economy, and which industries and types of businesses are most at risk of ransomware attacks. Key takeaways from the conversation include: The evolution of ransomware attacks from simple smash-a...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Panettieri, Founder of Channel Angels, Sustainable Tech Partner, and Mentore Ventures, to discuss how Joe got his start as a communications intern at IBM, his approach to making cybersecurity communications clear and digestible, and the dynamic nature of the cybersecurity industry. He also shares the lessons learned from supporting a wide array of cybersecurit...

The AlphV/BlackCat ransomware-as-a-service gang has been in the news lately thanks to the recent ransomware attack on Change Healthcare that resulted in widespread disruptions to healthcare services and allegedly resulted in the organization paying a $22 million ransom. Shortly thereafter, an affiliate claimed that BlackCat cheated them out of their share of the $22 million dollar ransom. So, what...

Private Equity (PE) firms are increasingly targeted due to their comprehensive disclosure requirements, possession of sensitive data, and wide network of portfolio companies, making them lucrative targets for cybercriminals. What's more, threat actors exploit these characteristics to gain access to an extensive network by breaching just one entity. In this episode of Cyber Talks, Ryan Westman...

Since its emergence in 1911, every year on March 8, we celebrate International Women's Day to recognize the inspiring contributions that women have made in the professional and personal lives of those around them. In this episode, Erin McLean talks to Tia Hopkins and Andrea Markstrom, the Chief Information Officer at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP and Founder of i. WILL, about their career journ...

Since their emergence in 2019 under the moniker 'ABCD', the LockBit ransomware-as-a-service gang has carved out a notorious reputation as a leading purveyor of ransomware. Their notoriety was cemented by pioneering triple extortion techniques and causing unprecedented disruption across the globe. However, they suffered a significant blow with the orchestrated international law enforcement...