Welcome to CISO Tradecraft®, your guide to mastering the art of being a top-tier Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Our podcast empowers you to elevate ...
In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, G. Mark Hardy shares 15 crucial characteristics to help you succeed in your cybersecurity career and become an effective CISO. From knowing yourself and developing leadership skills to enhancing communications and staying current with trends, Hardy distills decades of wisdom into practical advice. Learn how to navigate career transitions, build technical credibility, become an effective storyteller, and master political skills essential for C-level success.
Transcripts:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MpjXD8LqnHS_Lj1S-6T7vxcclxzUjEhe
Chapters
01:30 Know Yourself: The First Step to Success
05:23 Develop Your Leadership Skills
07:09 Enhance Your Communication Skills
11:37 Gain Broad Experience
14:28 Pursue Advanced Education
18:13 Network with Other Professionals
20:47 The Importance of Mentorship
22:20 Building Valuable Connections
23:43 Aligning with Business Goals
25:38 Deepening Technical Expertise
26:59 Staying Current with Trends
28:03 Promoting a Security-First Culture
30:18 Addressing Skills Gaps
31:53 Becoming a Master Storyteller
33:35 Engaging with Executives
34:41 Strategic Thinking and Time Management
37:27 Mastering Political Skills
39:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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40:11
#221 - Microsoft Majorana is Taking the Quantum Leap
In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy discusses Microsoft's groundbreaking announcement of their new quantum chip, the Majorana. The chip harnesses properties of a topological superconductor, making quantum computing promises more tangible. The episode delves into the technical aspects of quantum bits (qubits), cryptography, and the implications of topological quantum computing. With insights on competitor advancements by Google and potential challenges, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of quantum computing's future and its cyber security implications.
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O2XG47o2_6jHBtPKL2PcwGRKPe69wFvi
Link: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to CISO Tradecraft
00:26 Microsoft's Quantum Chip Announcement
01:51 Understanding Quantum Bits
03:23 Quantum Computing and Cryptography
06:00 Microsoft's Quantum Leap
09:41 The Physics Behind Quantum Computing
16:48 Majorana Particle and Its Significance
20:29 Applications and Future of Quantum Computing
25:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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27:47
#220 - Executive Updates to AI
In this CISO Tradecraft episode, host G. Mark Hardy delves into the recent U.S. presidential executive orders impacting AI and their implications for cybersecurity professionals. Learn about the evolution of AI policies from various administrations and how they influence national security, innovation, and the strategic decisions of CISOs. Discover key directives, deregulatory moves, and practical steps you can take to secure your AI systems in an era marked by rapidly changing regulations. Plus, explore the benefits of using AI tools like ZeroPath to bolster your cybersecurity efforts.
Big Thanks to our Sponsors: ZeroPath - https://zeropath.com/
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nv27tpDQs2fjdOedJOi0LhlkyQ5N5dKt
Links:
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/publications/teaching-legal-docs/what-is-an-executive-order-/
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/14/2019-02544/maintaining-american-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence
https://www.csis.org/analysis/made-china-2025
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242704112_China's_15-year_Science_and_Technology_Plan https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/08/2020-27065/promoting-the-use-of-trustworthy-artificial-intelligence-in-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/17/2021-10460/improving-the-nations-cybersecurity
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/11/01/2023-24283/safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-14148-initial-rescissions-harmful- executive-orders-and-actions
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/17/2025-01470/strengthening-and-promoting- innovation-in-the-nations-cybersecurity
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/17/2025-01470/strengthening-and-promoting- innovation-in-the-nations-cybersecurity
https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/cis-controls-list
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to AI Policy Shifts
00:23 AI Tool for Cybersecurity: ZeroPath
01:12 Understanding Executive Orders
02:44 EO 13859: Maintaining American Leadership in AI
05:42 EO 13960: Trustworthy AI in Federal Government
07:10 EO 14028: Strengthening U.S. Cybersecurity
09:38 EO 14110: Safe and Trustworthy AI Development
11:09 EO 14148: Rescinding AI Policies
12:21 EO 14179: Removing Barriers to AI Innovation
15:26 EO 14144: Strengthening Cybersecurity Innovation
37:19 Mapping Executive Orders to CIS Controls
40:15 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
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43:04
#219 - The Professionalization of CISOs (with Steve Zalewski & Tyson Kopczynski)
This podcast episode discusses the formation of a professional association for CISOs, driven by increasing personal liability risks faced by these executives. The conversation centers on establishing a formal definition and accreditation process for the CISO role, moving beyond existing certifications to demonstrate operational and theoretical expertise. This professionalization effort aims to reduce personal liability through a tailored insurance product, negotiated collectively by the association, and preempt potentially ill-defined government regulations. Ultimately, the goal is to create a structured, respected profession for CISOs, offering benefits such as insurance, professional development, and a unified voice within the industry.
Professional Association of CISOs - https://theciso.org/
Transcripts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BNeUzSyPYX-vAYwQl9qCi0GhknYhKnWF/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Professionalizing the CISO Role
00:52 The Genesis of a Professional Association
03:39 Challenges and Legal Liabilities for CISOs
04:43 The Value of Joining the Association
06:24 Accreditation and Certification Process
10:38 Insurance and Risk Management for CISOs
18:45 Future Directions and Getting Involved
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41:15
#218 - How AI Changes Talent Management (with Colleen Lennox)
In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G. Mark Hardy and special guest Colleen Lennox dive into the transformative power of AI in HR. Discover how AI can revolutionize identifying, attracting, and retaining cybersecurity talent. They discuss the challenges of finding the right personnel in the cybersecurity field, the innovative AI-driven solutions that can streamline recruitment processes, and how these tools can help in talent management and career progression. Stay tuned as they explore the potential of AI in creating a more effective and bias-free hiring process, while also discussing the future implications for HR and recruiters in the evolving landscape. Big Thanks to our
Sponsors: CruiseCon - Use code CISOTRADECRAFT10 at https://cruisecon.com/ for 10% off registration!
Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f6B9Ye02WHWo7q15avBm0359pxGNqnVu
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: AI and Workforce Concerns
00:28 Welcome to CISO Tradecraft
01:01 Meet Colleen Lennox: AI in HR
01:27 Challenges in Cybersecurity Recruitment
03:11 AI-Powered Recruitment Solutions
07:07 Improving Talent Management with AI
13:36 Addressing Bias in AI Recruitment
17:20 Future of AI in HR and Recruitment
21:04 Conclusion and Contact Information