eXecutive Security

Colin Domoney, CTO and co-founder of Thinking of U, shares his career journey in cybersecurity and his expertise in API security. He started as a kid building electronics and crypto systems, which led him to develop battle-hardened defense systems. He gravitated towards software and eventually got into AppSec, diving into the deep end and fixing a million AppSec vulnerabilities. Colin emphasizes t...

Summary: In this episode, Gene discusses management principles and leadership strategies for senior leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs with Tom Heiser, previously CEO of ClickSoftware, EVP at EMC, and President at RSA the cyber division of EMC. They cover topics such as opening the aperture, balancing strategy and tactics, embracing change, connecting the dots, and more. The conversation emphasize...

Jim Alkove, CEO and co-founder of Olaria, shares his career journey and insights on cybersecurity training and becoming a board advisor. He emphasizes the importance of starting at the beginning and gaining experience in software engineering during his time at Microsoft. Alkove highlights the need for a more diverse pool of candidates and situational training to meet the workforce demands of the c...

In this episode, Gene Fay interviews Ed Adams, President and CEO at Security Innovation, about his journey into cybersecurity and his work in advancing software security practices. Ed shares his story of transitioning from quality assurance in software at Rational Software to founding Security Innovation, a company focused on application security and training. Ed also dives into his book, See Your...

In this episode, Gene Fay interviews Sammy Migues, Principal at Imbricate Security, about his journey into cybersecurity and his work on the Building Security in Maturity Model (BSIMM). Sammy shares his experience starting in computer science in the late 1970s and how he became a computer security professional. He explains the motivation behind creating the BSIMM and how it helps organizations mea...

Summary: In this episode, Gene Fay interviews Jeff Hudesman, CISO at Pinwheel, about his career in cybersecurity. Jeff shares his journey from starting as an intern at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to working at Sony and eventually joining Pinwheel. He discusses the differences between working in large companies like Sony and startups, highlighting the ability to be impactful and the agil...

Omer Cohen CISO of Descope shares his career story, highlights include: Joy in the constant variety of work in incident response Benefits of a mature approach to cybersecurity as a start-up Seeing his work in cybersecurity result in a real-world impact and the arrest and prosecution of cybercriminals B-Sides and the fun of small in person meet-ups

Cybersecurity recruiter Kyle McIntyre offers unique guidance based on his work as a retained search specialist working with hiring managers (VPs & C-Levels) in the cybersecurity industry in this episode. He and Gene discuss:  How to conduct preliminary research on potential employers and career paths How to reverse engineer desirable backgrounds to demystify potential career paths Tips on craf...

In this episode, Gene Fay interviews Tom Heiser about his journey and shares tenets for managing oneself. The conversation covers topics such as execution, accountability, expressing passion, doing the best job possible, getting outside one's comfort zone, and focusing on what one can control. Takeaways Execution is key to success. Just do it. Accountability is important in personal and profession...

Neil Bahadur, Head of Product in Cybersecurity at Wells Fargo, developed a unique and valuable perspective by switching from security to business development and back to security. In this episode, he and Gene discuss that transition and what he learned from it. They also discuss cybersecurity trends those new to the industry should be aware of, and more. Neil Bahadur on LinkedIn: https://www.linke...

One of the most important parts of being a cybersecurity professional is knowing how to ask the right questions, says CISO Aaron Katz.  Aaron started his career as a consultant, and says that's where he honed his question skills. He thinks all aspiring cybersecurity pros should start out with consulting gigs – you learn the business side and what questions to ask, plus get a feel for cybersecurity...

Ed Giles runs cybersecurity seminars for seniors, and wants to spread the word that it's a great way to both get your CPEs and give back to your community. Ed and Gene talk about those seminars, plus Ed's journey from English major to cybersecurity professional, the importance of thinking about security as a business enabler, and more. Ed Giles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgiles/

How is AI going to change entry-level cybersecurity jobs? Gene and AgileBlue president Tony Pietrocola discuss in this episode. They also talk about: Tony's career and what AgileBlue does How AI will affect both cybersecurity and cybercrime What he's looking for in interns  Tony Pietrocola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypietrocola/ AgileBlue: https://agileblue.com/

Want to start a career as a pen tester? Phillip Wylie literally wrote the book on the topic.  Gene and Phillip, co-author of The Pentester Blueprint: Starting a Career as an Ethical Hacker and host of the Phillip Wylie Show, have a wide-ranging and advice-filled conversation on: His career journey and his podcast Starting a pen testing career Collegiate Cyber Defense Competitions How to leverage B...

Kimberly Anstett has had a C-level cybersecurity position for about a decade. She's seen the CIO role transform, and shares her thoughts on that transformation in this episode.  She and Gene discuss her journey to CIO, how to inspire the next generation to embrace STEM careers, what she's looking for when hiring, and more.  Kimberly Anstett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-anstett...

Why should you work in cybersecurity? Because two things that aren't going away are tech and crime, says BlackBerry VP of Product Security Operations Christine Gadsby.  Christine and Gene talk about her journey from working in IT out of necessity to cybersecurity VP, how to reskill into cybersecurity, the Leadership Bench Program she developed at BlackBerry, her advice to those discouraged by the...

Jim Moran has had a long and varied cybersecurity career, and offers some fantastic advice for those just starting out.  He and Gene talk about cybersecurity careers, what he's looking for in entry-level candidates, how to find the best career path for you, and more. Jim Moran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-moran-0b112925/

Diana Kelley feels strongly that community plays a critical role in all careers, but especially cybersecurity. She explains why in this episode. She and Gene also talk about increasing the number of females in cybersecurity, what she looks for in entry level candidates, and more.  Diana Kelley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakelleysecuritycurve/ Executive Women's Forum: https://www.e...

We talk a lot on this podcast about how to advance to the executive level within the cybersecurity field. But what if the C-level is not for you?  John Hammond is a security practitioner at heart and wants to stay that way. He shares his thoughts on building a practitioner career in this episode.  He and Gene also talk about his experience working for the Department of Defense and about John's pro...

Want to make the transition from help desk to cybersecurity? Jeff Farinich has helped others make that transition and he shares his advice in this episode. He and Gene also talk about the types of cybersecurity roles, what he looks for in entry level candidates, and more. Jeff Farinich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefffarinich/

MK Palmore has had a long and fascinating career -- from the military to the FBI to cybersecurity executive at Google. Don't miss his story. He's also a Vice President of Cyversity and has great insights and ideas about bringing more diversity to the cybersecurity field.  This is an important and valuable conversation for anyone looking to get into cybersecurity, especially those without technical...

Interested in behavioral science? The training and awareness side of cybersecurity might be for you – and you should hear Masha Sedova’s story. She offers a fascinating look at the human attack surface – which presents a whole new set of challenges – and they aren’t all technical. She has built a career on solving these challenges, and she sheds light on this lesser-known side of the cybersecurity...

In this special episode, Gene encourages listeners to spread the word about the so-called "Phantom Hacker" scams targeting the elderly.  The FBI recently published an alert about these popular scams that attempt to convince senior citizens that their money is unsafe and they need to move it. Gene outlines how the scam works, and how to protect the elderly in your life.

Cybersecurity is intimidating says Check Point CISO Cindi Carter. But she also says it shouldn’t be. Cindi and Gene talk about how to make cybersecurity more accessible in this episode of the eXecutive Security podcast. They also talk about community involvement, networking, and the advice she gives her mentees.   Cindi Carter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindibcarter/   Check Point So...

Most of us don't approach mentoring with the right mindset, says Amanda Fennell of Prove. Thinking of it as "sponsoring" rather than "mentoring" would be a step in the right direction. Gene and Amanda talk about this mindset shift, plus her work at Prove, her work teaching cybersecurity at Tulane, why one of her best security analysts picked up valuable skills from her time as a bartender, and mor...