Brand Stories Podcasts

Vincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at Corelight, shares his predictions for 2026 and what security teams should prepare for in the coming year. With nearly a decade at Corelight and a background in network and security engineering, Stoffer brings a unique perspective on where the industry is heading.The conversation explores the emergence of the agentic SOC, where AI agents work alongside human analysts to accelerate detection, response, and incident resolution. Stoffer explains that while the protocols and tools have been in development, 2026 is the year organizations will finally see these capabilities deliver real results. The key differentiator, he notes, is data quality. Tools that provide rich, detailed, and comprehensive network evidence will thrive in this AI-enabled environment.Stoffer also addresses the persistent threat from nation-state actors, particularly China's Typhoon campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. From energy and telecoms to international partners, these threats continue to expand with AI-powered acceleration. Understanding your environment and detecting anomalous behavior remains essential for organizations facing these sophisticated adversaries.The discussion concludes with a look at post-quantum readiness. While quantum computing threats may be 10 to 20 years away, Stoffer emphasizes the importance of understanding cryptographic assets now. Corelight has published a white paper detailing how NDR provides the network visibility needed to locate cryptographic assets and plan migration to quantum-ready cipher suites.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is an introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTVincent Stoffer, Field Chief Technology Officer at CorelightOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-stoffer-07057827/RESOURCESLearn more about Corelight: https://corelight.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSVincent Stoffer, Corelight, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, agentic SOC, network detection and response, NDR, critical infrastructure security, nation-state threats, China Typhoon campaigns, Salt Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, post-quantum cryptography, quantum readiness, AI in cybersecurity, security operations, incident response, network visibility, Zeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The renewable energy sector faces a critical cybersecurity gap. As wind farms, solar installations, and battery energy storage systems proliferate across the globe, they create a decentralized network of digitally controlled assets that remain largely unprotected. Rafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energia, brings more than two decades of technology leadership experience to address this growing vulnerability in critical infrastructure.Cyber Energia takes a fundamentally different approach to OT security. While most cybersecurity companies stop at identifying risks through CVE scores and vulnerability assessments, Cyber Energia starts from the risk and translates it into financial terms that executives can act upon. The platform connects technical findings to compliance frameworks including NIS 2.0, IEC 62443, and NERC CIP, providing asset owners with a clear maturity landscape and actionable intelligence.Rafael Narezzi explains that asset owners in the renewable sector operate differently than traditional IT environments. Financial companies often acquire energy assets as investments without maintaining technical staff on-site. When compliance regulations now hold these owners personally liable for cybersecurity failures, they need tools that speak their language: dollars, risk, and return on investment. Cyber Energia prices its services per megawatt, demonstrating its commitment to speaking the language of energy.The decentralization of energy generation presents unique challenges. Rafael Narezzi points to recent cyber attacks on Poland's distributed grid as evidence that threat actors understand how to manipulate multiple remote locations simultaneously to destabilize power networks. Battery energy storage systems present particular risks, as compromised dispatch commands could create grid imbalances similar to the fictional scenario depicted in Ocean's 11. Yet many sites lack even basic cyber hygiene protections.Cyber Energia helps customers understand the financial impact of potential attacks. A 98-megawatt wind turbine site, for example, could lose 1.9 million dollars from just one week of downtime. This quantification enables executives to make informed decisions about relatively modest security investments that significantly reduce their risk exposure. The platform provides a single-view dashboard for organizations managing hundreds of sites across different regions, technologies, and regulatory environments.Rafael Narezzi observes that a CEO before a cyber attack is fundamentally different from a CEO after one. Organizations often underestimate digital risks compared to physical ones, despite living in an increasingly connected world. Regulations like NIS 2.0 now impose personal liability on directors and can revoke operating licenses, removing any excuse for neglecting cybersecurity. The awareness is changing, but Cyber Energia continues working to close the gap between compliance requirements and actual security posture across the renewable energy sector.This is a Brand Story. A Brand Story is a ~35-40 minute in-depth conversation designed to tell the complete story of the guest, their company, and their vision. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#fullGUESTRafael Narezzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Cyber Energiahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/narezzi/RESOURCESCyber Energiahttps://cyberenergia.com/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSRafael Narezzi, Cyber Energia, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story, OT cybersecurity, renewable energy security, critical infrastructure protection, NIS 2.0 compliance, IEC 62443, wind farm cybersecurity, solar energy security, battery energy storage systems, BESS security, decentralized energy grid, cyber risk quantification, energy sector compliance, NERC CIP, operational technology security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Brand Highlight, Ivan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology at Qualys, joins host Sean Martin to discuss how security leaders can break free from the whack-a-mole cycle of vulnerability management.With more than 48,000 vulnerabilities disclosed in 2025 alone and the average enterprise juggling 76 different security consoles, Milenkovic argues that the old methods of counting patches and chasing alerts are no longer sustainable. Instead, Qualys helps organizations prioritize threats based on business context through what the company calls TruRisk.Milenkovic describes a fundamental shift he sees taking place in boardroom conversations: moving from risk appetite to risk tolerance. Boards and executives now want to know what specific losses mean to the business rather than simply asking whether the organization is secure.For CISOs, this means evolving from the department of "No" to the department of "Know," where security leaders understand where problems exist, how to fix them, and what architecture supports business objectives. The key is demonstrating return on investment through resilience metrics rather than vulnerability counts.Qualys addresses this challenge through its Enterprise TruRisk Management platform, which facilitates what Milenkovic calls the Risk Operations Center. Unlike a traditional SOC that focuses on incidents that have already occurred, the ROC takes a proactive stance, helping organizations prevent threats and optimize security spending before damage occurs.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTIvan Milenkovic, Vice President, Cyber Risk Technology, QualysOn LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanmilenkovic/RESOURCESLearn more about Qualys | https://www.qualys.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSIvan Milenkovic, Qualys, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, Enterprise TruRisk Management, Risk Operations Center, ROC, vulnerability management, CISO, cyber risk, risk tolerance, security leadership, proactive security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As AI makes it easier for attackers to launch account takeover campaigns at scale, organizations face mounting pressure to protect their customers and their brand. Israel Mazin, Co-Founder and CEO of Memcyco, joins the conversation to discuss how real-time detection and protection capabilities are changing the game.Memcyco is built on four products within a unified platform, each designed to detect and block both traditional and AI-driven attacks in real time. Unlike reactive threat intelligence solutions, Memcyco identifies victims as they interact with fake sites, provides detailed attacker data, and even deploys credential deception to neutralize stolen information before it can be used.With an agentless deployment that takes just minutes to implement, Memcyco delivers more than 10x ROI for customers across financial services, retail, airlines, logistics, and hospitality. The company has achieved nearly 300% year-over-year growth, serving organizations across North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTIsrael Mazin, Co-Founder and CEO of MemcycoOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israel-mazin-62215b/RESOURCESMemcyco: https://www.memcyco.com/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSIsrael Mazin, Memcyco, Sean Martin, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand highlight, account takeover, ATO fraud, digital impersonation, phishing protection, real-time fraud detection, credential deception, website spoofing, AI-driven attacks, fraud prevention platform, agentless security Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this Brand Highlight, we talk with Denny LeCompte, CEO and Co-Founder of Portnox, about how identity and access control are changing as AI-driven agents and synthetic identities become active participants inside enterprise environments.Passwords still sit at the root of many security failures, which is why the conversation starts with the fundamentals: controlling who can access data, from where, and under what device and policy conditions. Certificate-based authentication emerges as a practical way to reduce password dependency while keeping enforcement tied to managed devices and policy compliance.The discussion then shifts to what is changing for security leaders. CISOs may feel more confident managing traditional cyber threats, but uncertainty rises quickly when AI-generated and non-human identities enter the picture. Agentic AI turns automation into an entity that touches networks and applications, making access control a first-order requirement rather than an afterthought.A clear theme emerges throughout the conversation: synthetic identities are not hypothetical. They appear anywhere autonomous agents require permissions to act, from software development to workflow automation. Applying the same discipline used for human identities, including least privilege, scope limitation, and policy enforcement, becomes essential to maintaining control as AI adoption accelerates.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GuestDenny LeCompte, CEO and Co-Founder of Portnoxhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dennylecompte/ResourcesLearn more about Portnox: https://www.portnox.com/Are you interested in telling your story?Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#fullBrand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlightBrand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKeywords: sean martin, denny lecompte, portnox, identity, access, zero trust, passwordless, certificates, agentic ai, synthetic identities, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Title: The Right Model for the Right Security Task | A Brand Highlight Conversation with Michael Roytman, Co-Founder and CTO of Empirical SecurityIn this Brand Highlight conversation, Michael Roytman, Co-Founder and CTO of Empirical Security, joins Sean Martin to discuss why choosing the right AI model for the right task is essential for effective cybersecurity.Michael Roytman explains how Empirical Security takes a data-driven, Moneyball-style approach to preventative security. The company builds and maintains an ensemble of models, including the open EPSS model used by over 100 vendors, global models for vulnerability exploitation forecasting, and local models tailored to each customer's unique environment.The conversation explores a critical finding: LLMs perform poorly at predictive security tasks. Michael Roytman shares research he published in Forbes comparing EPSS to LLMs from Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. While LLMs excel at summarization and classification, they struggle to predict future exploitation events. Purpose-built models like XGBoost consistently outperform LLMs for probability forecasting.Empirical Security positions itself as a data science company operating on security data rather than a traditional security vendor. With two-thirds of the founding team holding data science backgrounds, the company trains models from scratch and continuously retrains them as environments and threat landscapes evolve.This is a Brand Highlight. A Brand Highlight is a ~5 minute introductory conversation designed to put a spotlight on the guest and their company. Learn more: https://www.studioc60.com/creation#highlightGUESTMichael Roytman, Co-Founder and CTO of Empirical SecurityOn LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-roytman/RESOURCESLearn more about Empirical Security | https://www.empiricalsecurity.comAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Brand Spotlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Brand Highlight Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKEYWORDSEmpirical Security, Michael Roytman, data-driven security, vulnerability management, EPSS, risk-based vulnerability management, AI in cybersecurity, machine learning security, LLM limitations, predictive security models, XGBoost, local models, global models, preventative security, Moneyball security, cybersecurity AI, threat intelligence, security data science, model retraining, ITSPmagazine, Brand Highlight, Studio C60 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As organizations race to adopt AI, many discover an uncomfortable truth: ambition often outpaces readiness. In this episode of the ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcast, host Sean Martin speaks with Julian Hamood, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer at TrustedTech, about what it really takes to operationalize AI without amplifying risk, chaos, or misinformation.Julian shares that most organizations are eager to activate tools like AI agents and copilots, yet few have addressed the underlying condition of their environments. Unstructured data sprawl, fragmented cloud architectures, and legacy systems create blind spots that AI does not fix. Instead, AI accelerates whatever already exists, good or bad.A central theme of the conversation is readiness. Julian explains that AI success depends on disciplined data classification, permission hygiene, and governance before automation begins. Without that groundwork, organizations risk exposing sensitive financial, HR, or executive data to unintended audiences simply because an AI system can surface it.The discussion also explores the operational reality beneath the surface. Most environments are a patchwork of Azure, AWS, on-prem infrastructure, SaaS platforms, and custom applications, often shaped by multiple IT leaders over time. When AI is layered onto this complexity without architectural clarity, inaccurate outputs and flawed business decisions quickly follow.Sean and Julian also examine how AI initiatives often emerge from unexpected places. Legal teams, business units, and individual contributors now build their own AI workflows using low-code and no-code tools, frequently outside formal IT oversight. At the same time, founders and CFOs push for rapid AI adoption while resisting the investment required to clean and secure the foundation.The episode highlights why AI programs are never one-and-done projects. Ongoing maintenance, data validation, and security oversight are essential as inputs change and systems evolve. Julian emphasizes that organizations must treat AI as a permanent capability on the roadmap, not a short-term experiment.Ultimately, the conversation frames AI not as a shortcut, but as a force multiplier. When paired with disciplined architecture and trusted guidance, AI enables scale, speed, and confidence. Without that discipline, it simply magnifies existing problems.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GUESTJulian Hamood, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer at TrustedTech | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-hamood/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Spotlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Highlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlightKeywords: sean martin, julian hamood, trusted tech, ai readiness, data governance, ai security, enterprise ai, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast, brand spotlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Risk has always been part of doing business. What has changed is its scale, speed, and interconnected nature. In this episode, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli are joined by Megha Kumar, Chief Product Officer and Head of Geopolitical Risk at CyXcel, to explore how organizations can think more clearly about digital risk without becoming paralyzed by complexity.Kumar shares how digital resilience is no longer a technical problem alone. Regulations, infrastructure dependencies, geopolitical tensions, supply chain exposure, and emerging technologies such as AI now converge into a single operational reality. Organizations that treat these as isolated issues often miss the real picture, where one decision quietly amplifies risk across multiple domains.A central theme of the conversation is proportion. Kumar emphasizes that risk management is not about eliminating uncertainty, but aligning effort with value. Not every threat matters equally to every organization. Understanding who you are, where you operate, and where you are going determines which signals deserve attention and which are simply noise.The discussion also reframes geopolitics as a daily business concern rather than a distant policy issue. Companies operate inside global power dynamics whether they acknowledge it or not. Technology choices, supplier relationships, and market expansion decisions increasingly carry political and regulatory consequences that surface quickly and without warning.Rather than advocating for massive new departments or rigid frameworks, Kumar outlines a practical approach. Organizations can decide whether to avoid, mitigate, transfer, or tolerate risk, then revisit those decisions as conditions change. This mindset supports growth and innovation while avoiding the false comfort of static checklists.The episode closes on culture. Effective risk management depends on listening across roles, disciplines, and seniority. Internal dissent, diverse viewpoints, and external validation are presented as assets, not obstacles. In a world where uncertainty is constant, resilience comes from clarity, not control.Learn more about CyXcel: https://itspm.ag/cyxcel-922331Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GUESTMegha Kumar, Partner, Chief Product Officer & Head of Geopolitical Risk at CyXcel | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmeghakumarcyxcel/RESOURCESLearn more and catch more stories from CyXcel: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/cyxcelAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Spotlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight▶︎ Highlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#highlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode focuses on a security incident that prompts an honest discussion about transparency, preparedness, and the importance of strong processes. Sean Martin speaks with Viktor Petersson, Founder and CEO of Screenly, who shares how his team approaches digital signage security and how a recent alert from their bug bounty program helped validate the strength of their culture and workflows.Screenly provides a secure digital signage platform used by organizations that care deeply about device integrity, uptime, and lifecycle management. Healthcare facilities, financial services, and even NASA rely on these displays, which makes the security posture supporting them a priority. Viktor outlines why security functions best when embedded into culture rather than treated as a compliance checkbox. His team actively invests in continuous testing, including a structured bug bounty program that generates a steady flow of findings.The conversation centers on a real event: a report claiming that more than a thousand user accounts appeared in a public leak repository. Instead of assuming the worst or dismissing the claim, the team mobilized within hours. They validated the dataset, built correlation tooling, analyzed how many records were legitimate, and immediately reset affected accounts. Once they ruled out a breach of their systems, they traced the issue to compromised end user devices associated with previously known credential harvesting incidents.This scenario demonstrates how a strong internal process helps guide the team through verification, containment, and communication. Viktor emphasizes that optional security features only work when customers use them, which is why Screenly is moving to passwordless authentication using magic links. Removing passwords eliminates the attack vector entirely, improving security for customers without adding friction.For listeners, this episode offers a clear look at what rapid response discipline looks like, how bug bounty reports can add meaningful value, and why passwordless authentication is becoming a practical way forward for SaaS platforms. It is a timely reminder that transparency builds trust, and security culture determines how confidently a team can navigate unexpected events.Learn more about Screenly: https://itspm.ag/screenly1oNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GUESTViktor Petersson, Co-founder of Screenly | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpetersson/RESOURCESLearn more and catch more stories from Screenly: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/screenlyLinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vpetersson_screenly-security-incident-response-how-activity-7393741638918971392-otkkBlog: Security Incident Response: How We Investigated a Data Leak and What We're Doing Next: https://www.screenly.io/blog/2025/11/10/security-incident-response-magic-links/Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Spotlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlightKeywords: sean martin, marco ciappelli, viktor petersson, security, authentication, bugbounty, signage, incidentresponse, breaches, cybersecurity, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast, brand spotlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Solar Car That Charges Itself While You Live Your LifeGrowing up, I always wondered: why can't cars just recharge themselves as we drive? Turns out, someone finally built exactly that.Robert Hoevers and his team at Squad Mobility created a solar-powered city car that does something brilliantly simple—it charges itself. There's a solar panel on the roof that continuously feeds the battery whether you're parked at the grocery store, sitting in your driveway, or cruising around town.The engineering is impressive, but the user experience is even better. For most people living in sunny climates—anywhere between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south latitude (roughly Spain to South Africa)—you'll never need to find a charging station. Ever.Here's the reality: the average person drives about 12 kilometers a day for daily errands. School runs, grocery shopping, meeting friends. The Squad solar car has a 150-kilometer maximum range, and the sun replenishes what you use. You just drive it, park it, and forget about charging infrastructure entirely.This is what smart urban mobility looks like. It's street legal with proper crash structures, seat belts, and rollover protection. It tops out at 45 or 70 kilometers per hour depending on which model you choose—fast enough for city streets, not built for highways. In Europe, you only need a moped license for the slower version.The design sits somewhere between a golf cart and a Smart car, which makes perfect sense. Squad isn't trying to replace your family vehicle. They're solving the "second car" problem—those short daily trips where driving a massive SUV feels ridiculous.The market is responding. Squad Mobility has over 5,300 pre-orders and secured 1.5 million euros in European subsidies. They're currently crowdfunding on Republic to bridge the final gap before production starts in about a year.What surprised me most? Ten percent of their pre-orders come from American gated communities and golf cart neighborhoods. These communities already understand the value of compact, efficient vehicles for daily errands. Squad just made them solar-powered and street legal.Yes, you need consistent sunlight. If you live in perpetually cloudy climates, you'll still need to plug in occasionally. But for millions of people in sunny regions tired of hunting for charging stations or paying electricity bills to charge their second car, Squad Mobility built the obvious solution that somehow nobody else did.Sometimes innovation isn't about reinventing the wheel. It's about putting a solar panel on the roof and letting the sun do the work.This is the future of urban mobility, and it's arriving next year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When “Normal” Doesn’t Work: Rethinking Data and the Role of the SOC AnalystMonzy Merza, Co-Founder and CEO of Crogl, joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to discuss how cybersecurity teams can finally move beyond the treadmill of normalization, alert fatigue, and brittle playbooks that keep analysts from doing what they signed up to do—find and stop bad actors.Merza draws from his experience across research, security operations, and leadership roles at Splunk, Databricks, and one of the world’s largest banks. His message is clear: the industry’s long-standing approach of forcing all data into one format before analysis has reached its limit. Organizations are spending millions trying to normalize data that constantly changes, and analysts are paying the price—buried under alerts they can’t meaningfully investigate.The conversation highlights the human side of this issue. Analysts often join the field to protect their organizations, but instead find themselves working on repetitive tickets with little context, limited feedback loops, and an impossible expectation to know everything—from email headers to endpoint logs. They are firefighters answering endless 911 calls, most of which turn out to be false alarms.Crogl’s approach replaces that normalization-first mindset with an analyst-first model. By operating directly on data where it lives—without requiring migration or schema alignment—it allows every analyst to investigate deeper, faster, and more consistently. Each action taken by one team member becomes shared knowledge for the next, creating an adaptive, AI-driven system that evolves with the organization.For CISOs, this means measurable consistency, auditability, and trust in outcomes. For analysts, it means rediscovering purpose—focusing on meaningful investigations instead of administrative noise.The result is a more capable, connected SOC where AI augments human reasoning rather than replacing it. As Merza puts it, the new normal is no normalization—just real work, done better.Watch the full interview and product demo: https://youtu.be/7C4zOvF9sdkLearn more about CROGL: https://itspm.ag/crogl-103909Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GUESTMonzy Merza, Founder and CEO of CROGL | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monzymerza/RESOURCESLearn more and catch more stories from CROGL: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/croglBrand Spotlight: The Schema Strikes Back: Killing the Normalization Tax on the SOC: https://brand-stories-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/the-schema-strikes-back-killing-the-normalization-tax-on-the-soc-a-corgl-spotlight-brand-story-conversation-with-cory-wallace [Video: https://youtu.be/Kx2JEE_tYq0]Are you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Spotlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking Free from Data Normalization: A Smarter Path for Security TeamsTraditional security models were built on a simple idea: collect data, normalize it, and analyze it. But as Director of Product Marketing Cory Wallace explains in this conversation with Sean Martin, that model no longer fits the reality of modern security operations. Data now lives across systems, clouds, and lakes—making normalization an inefficient, error-prone step that slows teams down and risks critical blind spots.Rethinking How Analysts Work with DataCory describes how schema drift, inconsistent field naming, and vendor-specific query languages have turned the analyst’s job into a maze of manual mapping and guesswork. Each product update or schema change introduces a chance to miss something important—something an attacker is counting on. Crogl’s new patent eliminates this problem by enabling search and correlation across unnormalized data, creating a unified analytical view without forcing everything into one rigid format.From Data Chaos to Analyst EmpowermentThis shift isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. Instead of treating SOC analysts as passive alert closers, Crogl’s model empowers them with meaningful context from the start. Alerts now come with historical data, cross-referenced fields, and prebuilt queries, giving analysts the information they need to make decisions faster and more confidently.Efficiency with IntelligenceWallace explains how this approach saves time, reduces training burdens, and cuts dependency on multiple query languages. It helps overworked teams move from reactive triage to proactive investigation. By removing unnecessary layers of data transformation, organizations can accelerate incident resolution, minimize risk, and help analysts focus on what matters most—catching what others miss.At its core, the conversation highlights how removing the barriers of data normalization can redefine what’s possible in modern security operations.Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/Kx2JEE_tYq0Learn more about CROGL: https://itspm.ag/crogl-103909Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.GUESTCory Wallace, Director of Product Marketing at CROGL | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corywallacecrogl/RESOURCESLearn more and catch more stories from CROGL: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/croglPress Release: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/05/3181815/0/en/Crogl-Granted-Patent-for-Analyzing-Non-Normalized-Data-for-Security.htmlForbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinwarren/2025/11/05/tackling-cybersecurity-data-sprawl-without-normalizing-everything/LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7391913358817517569-QaCHAre you interested in telling your story?▶︎ Full Length Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#full▶︎ Spotlight Brand Story: https://www.studioc60.com/content-creation#spotlight Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The decision to leave a successful corporate position and start a company requires more than just identifying a market opportunity. For Shankar Somasundaram, it required witnessing firsthand how traditional cybersecurity approaches consistently failed in the environments that matter most to society: hospitals, manufacturing plants, power facilities, and critical infrastructure.Somasundaram's path to founding Asimily began with diverse technical experience spanning telecommunications and early machine learning development. This foundation proved essential when he transitioned to cybersecurity, eventually building and growing the IoT security division at a major enterprise security company.During his corporate tenure, Somasundaram gained direct exposure to security challenges across healthcare systems, industrial facilities, utilities, manufacturing plants, and oil and gas operations. Each vertical revealed the same fundamental problem: existing security solutions were designed for traditional IT environments where confidentiality and integrity took precedence, but operational technology environments operated under entirely different rules.The mismatch became clear through everyday operational realities. Hospital ultrasound machines couldn't be taken offline during procedures for security updates. Manufacturing production lines couldn't be rebooted for patches without scheduling expensive downtime. Power plant control systems required continuous availability to serve communities. These environments prioritized operational continuity above traditional security controls.Beyond technical challenges, Somasundaram observed a persistent communication gap between security and operations teams. IT security professionals spoke in terms of vulnerabilities and patch management. Operations teams focused on uptime, safety protocols, and production schedules. Neither group had effective frameworks for translating their concerns into language the other could understand and act upon.This divide created frustration for Chief Security Officers who understood risks existed but lacked clear paths to mitigation that wouldn't disrupt critical business operations. Organizations could identify thousands of vulnerabilities across their operational technology environments, but struggled to prioritize which issues actually posed meaningful risks given their specific operational contexts.Somasundaram recognized an opportunity to approach this problem differently. Rather than building another vulnerability scanner or forcing operational environments to conform to IT security models, he envisioned a platform that would provide contextual risk analysis and actionable mitigation strategies tailored to operational requirements.The decision to leave corporate security and start Asimily wasn't impulsive. Somasundaram had previous entrepreneurial experience and understood the startup process. He waited for the right convergence of market need, personal readiness, and strategic opportunity. When corporate priorities shifted through acquisitions, the conditions aligned for his departure.Asimily's founding mission centered on bridging the gap between operational technology and information technology teams. The company wouldn't just build another security tool; it would create a translation layer enabling different organizational departments to collaborate effectively on risk reduction.This approach required understanding multiple stakeholder perspectives within client organizations. Sometimes the primary user would be a Chief Information Security Officer. Other times, it might be a manufacturing operations head managing production floors, or a clinical operations director in healthcare. The platform needed to serve all these perspectives while maintaining technical depth.Somasundaram's product engineering background informed this multi-stakeholder approach. His experience with complex system integration—from telecommunications infrastructure to machine learning algorithms—provided insight into how security platforms could integrate with existing IT infrastructure while addressing operational technology requirements.The vision extended beyond traditional vulnerability management to comprehensive risk analysis considering operational context, business impact, and regulatory requirements. Rather than treating all vulnerabilities equally, Asimily would analyze each device within its specific environment and use case, providing organizations with actionable intelligence for informed decision-making.Somasundaram's entrepreneurial journey illustrates how diverse technical experience, industry knowledge, and strategic timing converge to address complex market problems. His transition from corporate executive to startup founder demonstrates how deep industry exposure can reveal opportunities to solve problems that established players might overlook or underestimate.Today, as healthcare systems, manufacturing facilities, and critical infrastructure become i

What happens when a cybersecurity incident requires legal precision, operational coordination, and business empathy—all at once? That’s the core question addressed in this origin story with Bryan Marlatt, Chief Regional Officer for North America at CyXcel.Bryan brings over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, with a history as a CISO, consultant, and advisor. He now helps lead an organization that sits at the intersection of law, cyber, and geopolitics—an uncommon combination that reflects the complexity of modern risk. CyXcel was founded to address this reality head-on, integrating legal counsel, cybersecurity expertise, and operational insight into a single, business-first consulting model.Rather than treat cybersecurity as a checklist or a technical hurdle, Bryan frames it as a service that should start with the business itself: its goals, values, partnerships, and operating environment. That’s why their engagements often begin with conversations with sales, finance, or operations—not just the CIO or CISO. It’s about understanding what needs to be protected and why, before prescribing how.CyXcel supports clients before, during, and after incidents—ranging from tailored tabletop exercises to legal coordination during breach response and post-incident recovery planning. Their work spans critical sectors like healthcare, utilities, finance, manufacturing, and agriculture—where technology, law, and regulation often converge under pressure.Importantly, Bryan emphasizes the need for tailored guidance, not generic frameworks. He notes that many companies don’t realize how incomplete their protections are until it’s too late. In one example, he recounts a hospital system that chose to “pay the fine” rather than invest in cybersecurity—a decision that risks reputational and operational harm far beyond the regulatory penalty.From privacy laws and third-party contract reviews to incident forensics and geopolitical risk analysis, this episode reveals how cybersecurity consulting is evolving to meet a broader—and more human—set of business needs.Learn more about CyXcel: https://itspm.ag/cyxcel-922331Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Bryan Marlatt, Chief Regional Officer (North America) at CyXcel | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlattb/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from CyXcel: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/cyxcelLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At Black Hat 2025, Sean Martin sits down with Ofir Stein, CTO and Co-Founder of Apono, to discuss the pressing challenges of identity and access management in today’s hybrid, AI-driven environments. Stein’s background in technology infrastructure and DevOps, paired with his co-founder’s deep cybersecurity expertise, positions the company to address one of the most common yet critical problems in enterprise security: how to secure permissions without slowing the pace of business.Organizations often face a tug-of-war between security teams seeking to minimize risk and engineering or business units pushing for rapid access to systems. Stein explains that traditional approaches to access control — where permissions are either always on or granted through manual processes — create friction and risk. Over-provisioned accounts become prime targets for attackers, while delayed access slows innovation.Apono addresses this through a Zero Standing Privilege approach, where no user — human or non-human — retains permanent permissions. Instead, access is dynamically granted based on business context and automatically revoked when no longer needed. This ensures engineers and systems get the right access at the right time, without exposing unnecessary attack surfaces.The platform integrates seamlessly with existing identity providers, governance systems, and IT workflows, allowing organizations to centralize visibility and control without replacing existing tools. Dynamic, context-based policies replace static rules, enabling access that adapts to changing conditions, including the unpredictable needs of AI agents and automated workflows.Stein also highlights continuous discovery and anomaly detection capabilities, enabling organizations to see and act on changes in privilege usage in real time. By coupling visibility with automated policy enforcement, organizations can not only identify over-privileged accounts but also remediate them immediately — avoiding the cycle of one-off audits followed by privilege creep.The result is a solution that scales with modern enterprise needs, reduces risk, and empowers both security teams and end users. As Stein notes, giving engineers control over their own access — including the ability to revoke it — fosters a culture of shared responsibility for security, rather than one of gatekeeping.Learn more about Apono: https://itspm.ag/apono-1034Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest:Ofir Stein, CTO and Co-Founder of Apono | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofir-stein/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Apono: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/aponoLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: sean martin, ofir stein, apono, zero standing privilege, access management, identity security, privilege creep, just in time access, ai security, governance, cloud security, black hat, black hat usa 2025, cybersecurity, permissions Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Event Recap: Kieran Human at Black Hat USA 2025 — ThreatLocker Unveils Configuration Defense, Achieves FedRAMP Status & MoreThreatLocker introduced DAC configuration monitoring and achieved FedRAMP certification at Black Hat 2025, strengthening zero trust capabilities while expanding government market access through practical security solutions.Zero trust security continues evolving beyond theoretical frameworks into practical business solutions, as demonstrated by ThreatLocker's latest announcements at Black Hat USA 2025. The company introduced Defense Against Configuration (DAC), a monitoring tool addressing a critical gap in zero trust implementations.Kieran Human, Special Projects Engineer at ThreatLocker, explained the challenge driving DAC's development. Organizations implementing zero trust often struggle with configuration management, potentially leaving systems vulnerable despite security investments. DAC monitors configurations continuously, alerting administrators to potential security issues and mapping findings to compliance frameworks including Essential 8.The tool addresses human factors in security implementation. Technical staff sometimes create overly permissive rules to minimize user complaints, compromising security posture. DAC provides weekly reports to executives, ensuring oversight of configuration decisions and maintaining security standards across the organization.ThreatLocker's approach distinguishes itself through "denied by default, allowed by exception" methodology, contrasting with traditional endpoint detection and response solutions that permit by default and block threats reactively. This fundamental difference requires careful implementation to avoid business disruption.The company's learning mode capabilities address deployment concerns. With over 10,000 built-in application profiles, ThreatLocker automates policy creation while learning organizational workflows. This reduces manual configuration requirements that previously made zero trust implementations tedious and time-intensive.FedRAMP certification represents another significant milestone, opening government sector opportunities. Federal compliance requirements previously excluded ThreatLocker from certain contracts, despite strong customer demand for their zero trust capabilities. This certification enables expansion into highly regulated environments requiring stringent security controls.Customer testimonials continue validating the approach. One user reported preventing three breaches after implementing ThreatLocker's zero trust solution, demonstrating measurable security improvements. Such feedback reinforces the practical value of properly implemented zero trust architecture.The balance between security and business functionality remains crucial. Organizations need security solutions that protect assets without hampering productivity. ThreatLocker's principle of least privilege implementation focuses on enabling business requirements with minimal necessary permissions rather than creating restrictive environments that impede operations.Human described working closely with CEO Danny Jenkins, emphasizing the collaborative environment that drives product innovation. His engineering perspective provides valuable insights into customer needs while maintaining focus on practical security solutions that work in real-world environments.As zero trust adoption accelerates across industries, tools like DAC become essential for maintaining security posture while meeting business demands. The combination of automated learning, configuration monitoring, and compliance mapping addresses practical implementation challenges facing security teams today.Learn more about ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Kieran Human, Special Project Engineer at ThreatLocker | On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-human-5495ab170/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ThreatLocker: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/threatlockerLearn more and catch more stories from our Black Hat USA 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/bhusa25Learn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At Black Hat USA 2025, Sean Martin, co-founder of ITSPmagazine, sat down with Brett Stone-Gross, Senior Director of Threat Intelligence at Zscaler, to discuss the findings from the company’s latest ransomware report. Over the past five years, the research has tracked how attack patterns, targets, and business models have shifted—most notably from file encryption to data theft and extortion.Brett explains that many ransomware groups now find it more profitable—and less risky—to steal sensitive data and threaten to leak it unless paid, rather than encrypt files and disrupt operations. This change also allows attackers to stay out of the headlines and avoid immediate law enforcement pressure, while still extracting massive payouts. One case saw a Fortune 50 company pay $75 million to prevent the leak of 100 terabytes of sensitive medical data—without a single file being encrypted.The report highlights variation in attacker methods. Some groups focus on single large targets; others, like the group “LOP,” exploit vulnerabilities in widely used file transfer applications, making supply chain compromise a preferred tactic. Once inside, attackers validate their claims by providing file trees and sample data—proving the theft is real.Certain industries remain disproportionately affected. Healthcare, manufacturing, and technology are perennial top targets, with oil and gas seeing a sharp increase this year. Many victims operate with legacy systems, slow to adopt modern security measures, making them vulnerable. Geographically, the U.S. continues to be hit hardest, accounting for roughly half of all observed ransomware incidents.The conversation also addresses why organizations fail to detect such massive data theft—sometimes hundreds of gigabytes per day over weeks. Poor monitoring, limited security staffing, and alert fatigue all contribute. Brett emphasizes that reducing exposure starts with eliminating unnecessary internet-facing services and embracing zero trust architectures to prevent lateral movement.The ransomware report serves not just as a data source but as a practical guide. By mapping observed attacker behaviors to defensive strategies, organizations can better identify and close their most dangerous gaps—before becoming another statistic in next year’s findings.Learn more about Zscaler: https://itspm.ag/zscaler-327152Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest:Brett Stone-Gross, Senior Director of Threat Intelligence at Zscaler, | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-stone-gross/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Zscaler: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/zscalerLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: sean martin, brett stone-gross, ransomware, data extortion, cyber attacks, zero trust security, threat intelligence, data breach, cyber defense, network security, file transfer vulnerability, data protection, black hat, black hat usa 2025, zscaler Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marco Ciappelli of ITSPmagazine explores cybersecurity workforce transformation with CyberSN's Deidre Diamond and Fortune 200 CISO-turned-CEO Carraig StanwyckThe corridors of Black Hat 2025 in Las Vegas buzzed with conversations about AI and emerging threats, but one of the most compelling discussions centered on something decidedly human: how we actually manage our cybersecurity teams. Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder and CMO of ITSPmagazine, connected with longtime industry colleague Deidre Diamond, who brought along Carraig Stanwyck—a seasoned cybersecurity leader who recently transitioned from Fortune 200 CISO to CEO."It's been great running into people I know here at Black Hat," Ciappelli noted, "but finding Deidre after 11 years—and meeting the people she's been working with—that's what these events are really about. Finding out what's happening in the industry and reconnecting."Diamond, who has spent 11 years in cybersecurity with eight years focused on talent matching and three years developing workforce risk management practices at CyberSN, brought a unique perspective to the conversation. Her journey from building a cyber taxonomy and job matching solution to addressing the industry's critical workforce challenges—retention, burnout, capability gaps, and career planning—set the stage for understanding how one Fortune 200 CISO discovered the limitations of traditional workforce management.The Excel Trap: When Good Intentions Meet RealityWhen Stanwyck thought he had workforce management figured out, he was using Excel spreadsheets and conducting regular happiness surveys with his cybersecurity team. As someone who started his career in human intelligence and carried that people-focused approach through government, startups, and enterprise organizations, he believed he was ahead of the curve."I thought I already had a solution," Stanwyck reflects. "I was already meeting with my people, doing specific surveys to track happiness and belonging because I wanted to catch issues early. You get your team right, and you can do anything."But when he met Deidre Diamond from CyberSN at RSA two years ago, his confidence was quickly shaken. "She was talking about workforce risk management, and I was like, 'Well, yeah, I do that. I'm all set. I'm covered.'" Diamond's response was simple: "Show me how you visualize the data you use."That's when Stanwyck discovered the limitations of his Excel-based approach—old data, time-intensive processes, and a fundamental lack of real-time visibility into how his team actually functioned.Beyond Job Titles: The Hidden Workforce RealityWhat CyberSN's platform revealed transformed Stanwyck's understanding of his own team. "You can re-interview your people like a recorder," he explains. "You can see that someone you hired as an analyst is doing all this engineering work—maybe they're better on the engineering team."The platform provided something Stanwyck had never experienced: quantitative visibility into how his team's time was actually being spent. "It gave me a level of visibility in the team, what they were doing, and how their time was being spent at a quantitative level that there's no way for me to replicate manually."Even more revealing was the discovery that job descriptions become obsolete almost immediately. "The job description of our talent is old within weeks and within months from the day it's created—if it was even created correctly at all," Diamond noted during the conversation.The Fulfillment Factor: Beyond Happiness to PurposeWhile Stanwyck's happiness surveys captured surface-level satisfaction, CyberSN's approach dug into something more fundamental. "HappinessHappy is important, but one that feels fulfilled—that they have a purpose—that's the key," Stanwyck emphasizes.The platform's approach to understanding team members went beyond traditional metrics. "When you know where they want to go, how they feel about the team, you get all this extra data," Stanwyck explains. "Your ability to craft development plans, to help them move through different parts of the team, to help with career planning—it becomes so nailed that they can't help but see their way forward."The impact was immediate and lasting. When Stanwyck transitioned to his CEO role, his team specifically requested that the organization renew their CyberSN contract. "These teammates feel like, wow, they're investing in understanding me more and planning more. It just adds to professional efficacy."From Reactive to Strategic: The Business Case RevolutionPerhaps the most significant transformation was in business communication. Every cybersecurity leader knows the refrain: "We don't have enough people." But quantifying that gap had always been nearly impossible."How do you show the gaps and how you're not able to meet specific capability requirements?" Stanwyck asks. "It's really hard using the lack of tools you have right now—it's very subjective."CyberSN's dual visualization capability became a game-changer.

Mike Wayne, responsible for global sales at BlinkOps, joins ITSPmagazine host Sean Martin to discuss how organizations can harness agentic AI to transform security operations—and much more.The conversation begins with a clear reality: business processes are complex, and when security is added into the mix, orchestrating workflows efficiently becomes even more challenging. BlinkOps addresses this by providing a platform that not only automates security tasks but also extends across HR, finance, sales, and marketing. By enabling automation in areas like employee onboarding/offboarding or access management, the platform helps organizations improve efficiency, reduce risk, and free human talent for higher-value work.Mike explains that while traditional SOAR tools require heavy scripting and ongoing maintenance, BlinkOps takes a different approach. Its security co-pilot allows users to describe automations in plain language, which are then generated—90% complete—by the system. Whether the user is a SOC analyst or an HR manager, the platform supports low-code and no-code capabilities, making automation accessible to “citizen developers” across the organization.The concept of micro agents is central. Instead of relying on large, complex AI models that can hallucinate or act unpredictably, BlinkOps uses focused, purpose-built agents with smaller context windows. These agents handle specific tasks—such as enriching security alerts—within larger workflows, ensuring accuracy and control.The benefits are tangible. One customer’s triage agent processed 400 alerts in just eight days without direct human intervention, while another saved $1.8 million in manual endpoint deployment costs over a single month. Outcomes like reduced mean time to respond (MTTR) and faster time to automation are key drivers for adoption, especially when facing zero-day vulnerabilities where speed is critical.BlinkOps runs as SaaS, hybrid, or in secure environments like GovCloud, making it adaptable for organizations of all sizes and compliance requirements.The takeaway is clear: AI-driven automation doesn’t just improve security operations—it creates new efficiencies across the enterprise. As Mike puts it, when a process can be automated, “just blink it.”Learn more about BlinkOps: https://itspm.ag/blinkops-942780Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Mike Wayne, Vice President, Global Sales at BlinkOps | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejwayne/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from BlinkOps: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blinkopsLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: sean martin, mike wayne, blink ops, ai automation, agentic ai, micro agents, security automation, soc automation, workflow automation, zero day response, alert triage, enrichment agent, low code automation, cyber security ai, enterprise automation, black hat usa, black hat 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an era where organizations depend heavily on commercial applications to run their operations, the integrity of those applications has become a top security concern. Saša Zdjelar, Chief Trust Officer at ReversingLabs and Operating Partner at Crosspoint Capital, shares how protecting the software supply chain now extends far beyond open source risk.Zdjelar outlines how modern applications are built from a mix of first-party, contracted, open source, and proprietary third-party components. By the time software reaches production, its lineage spans geographies, development teams, and sometimes even AI-generated code. Incidents like SolarWinds, Kaseya, and CircleCI demonstrate that trusted vendors are no longer immune to compromise, and commercial software can introduce critical vulnerabilities or malicious payloads deep into enterprise systems.Regulatory drivers are increasing scrutiny. Executive Order 14028, Europe’s Cyber Resilience Act, DORA, and U.S. Department of Defense software sourcing restrictions all require greater transparency, such as a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). However, Zdjelar cautions that SBOMs—while valuable—are like ingredient lists without recipes: they don’t reveal if a product is secure, just what’s in it.ReversingLabs addresses this gap with a no-compromise analysis engine capable of deconstructing any file, of any size or complexity, to assess its safety. This capability enables organizations to make risk-based decisions, continuously monitor for unexpected changes between software versions, and operationalize controls at points such as procurement, SCCM deployments, or file transfers into critical environments.For CISOs, this represents a true technical control where previously only contractual clauses, questionnaires, or insurance policies existed. By placing analysis at the front of the software lifecycle, organizations can reduce reliance on costly manual testing and sandboxing, improve detection of tampering or hidden behavior, and even influence cyber insurance rates.The takeaway is clear: software supply chain security is a board-level concern, and the focus must expand beyond open source. With the right controls, organizations can avoid becoming the next headline-making breach and maintain trust with customers, partners, and regulators.Learn more about ReversingLabs: https://itspm.ag/reversinglabs-v57bNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Saša Zdjelar, Chief Trust Officer at ReversingLabs and Operating Partner at Crosspoint Capital | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasazdjelar/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ReversingLabs: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/reversinglabsLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: Black Hat 2025, Black Hat USA, sean martin, saša zdjelar, software supply chain security, commercial software risk, binary analysis, software bill of materials, sbom security, malicious code detection, ciso strategies, third party software risk, software tampering detection, malware analysis tools, devsecops security, application security testing, cybersecurity compliance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Black Hat 2025: Crogl's CEO Monzy Merza Explains How AI Can Help Eliminate Alert Fatigue in CybersecurityCrogl CEO Monzy Merza discusses how AI-driven security platforms automate alert investigation using enterprise knowledge graphs, enabling analysts to focus on threat hunting while maintaining data privacy.Security teams drowning in alerts finally have a lifeline that doesn't compromise their data sovereignty. At Black Hat USA 2025, Crogl CEO Monzy Merza revealed how his company is tackling one of cybersecurity's most persistent challenges: the overwhelming volume of security alerts that leaves analysts either ignoring potential threats or burning out from investigation fatigue.The problem runs deeper than most organizations realize. Merza observed analysts routinely closing hundreds of alerts with a single click, not from laziness or malice, but from sheer necessity. "When you look at the history of breaches, the signal of the breach was there. And somebody ignored it," he explained during his ITSPmagazine interview, highlighting a critical gap between alert generation and meaningful investigation.Traditional approaches have failed because they expect human analysts to become "unicorns" - experts capable of mastering multiple data platforms simultaneously while remembering complex query languages and schemas. This unrealistic expectation has created what Merza calls the "human unicorn challenge," where organizations struggle to find personnel who can effectively navigate their increasingly complex security infrastructure.Crogl's solution fundamentally reimagines the relationship between human intuition and machine automation. Rather than forcing analysts to adapt to multiple tools, the platform creates a semantic knowledge graph that maps data relationships across an organization's entire security ecosystem. When alerts arrive, the system automatically conducts investigations using established kill chain methodologies, freeing analysts to focus on higher-value activities like threat hunting and strategic security initiatives.The privacy-first architecture addresses growing concerns about data sovereignty. Operating as a completely self-contained system with no internet dependencies, Crogl can run air-gapped in the most sensitive environments, including defense intelligence communities. The platform connects to existing tools through APIs without requiring data movement, duplication, or transformation.Real-world results demonstrate the platform's versatility. One customer discovered their analysts were using Crogl for fraud detection - an application never intended by the original design. The system's ability to process natural language descriptions and convert them into executable security processes has reduced response times from weeks to minutes for complex threat hunting operations.For security leaders evaluating AI integration, Merza advocates an experimental approach. Rather than attempting comprehensive transformation, he suggests starting with focused pilot programs that address specific pain points. This measured strategy allows organizations to validate AI's value while maintaining operational stability.The broader implications extend beyond security operations. By removing technical barriers and emphasizing domain expertise over tool competency, platforms like Crogl enable security teams to become strategic business enablers rather than reactive alert processors. Organizations gain the flexibility to maintain their preferred data architectures while ensuring comprehensive security coverage across distributed environments.As cyber threats continue evolving, the industry's response must prioritize both technological capability and human potential. Solutions that enhance analyst intuition while automating routine tasks represent a sustainable path forward for security operations at scale. Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/0GqPtPXD2ik Learn more about CROGL: https://itspm.ag/crogl-103909Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Monzy Merza, Founder and CEO of CROGL | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monzymerza/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from CROGL: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/croglAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The often-overlooked truth in cybersecurity: Seeing the Unseen in Vulnerability ManagementIn this episode, Sean Martin speaks with HD Moore, Founder and CEO of RunZero, about the often-overlooked truth in cybersecurity: the greatest risks are usually the things you don’t know exist in your environment.Moore’s career has spanned decades of penetration testing, tool creation, and product development, including leading the creation of Metasploit. That background shapes his approach at RunZero—applying attacker-grade discovery techniques to uncover devices, networks, and vulnerabilities that traditional tools miss. Why Discovery Matters MostThrough repeated penetration tests for high-security organizations, Moore observed a consistent pattern: breaches rarely occurred because defenders ignored known issues, but rather because attackers exploited unknown assets. These unknowns often bypassed mitigation strategies simply because they weren’t on the organization’s radar. Beyond CVEsMoore emphasizes that an overreliance on CVE lists leaves organizations blind to real-world risks. Many breaches stem from misconfigurations, weak credentials, or overlooked systems—problems that can be exploited within days of a vulnerability being announced. The answer, he says, is to focus on exposure and attack paths in real time, not just lists of patchable flaws. Revealing the GapsRunZero’s approach often doubles the asset count organizations believe they have, uncovering systems outside existing scanning or endpoint management coverage. By leveraging unauthenticated discovery techniques, they detect exploitable conditions from an attacker’s perspective—identifying forgotten hardware, outdated firmware, and network segmentation issues that open dangerous pathways. Changing the GameThis depth of discovery enables security teams to prioritize the small subset of issues that pose the highest business risk, rather than drowning in thousands of low-impact findings. It also helps organizations rebuild their security programs from the ground up—ensuring that every device is accounted for, properly segmented, and monitored. Collaboration and CommunityMoore also shares his ongoing contributions to open source through Project Discovery, integrating and enhancing tools like the nuclei scanner to accelerate vulnerability detection for everyone—not just paying customers. The message is clear: if you want to close the gaps, you first need to know exactly where they are—and that requires a new level of visibility most teams have never had.Learn more about runZero: https://itspm.ag/runzero-5733Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: HD Moore, Founder and CEO of RunZero | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hdmoore/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from runZero: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/runzeroAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stellar Cyber Revolutionizes SOC Cybersecurity Operations with Human-Augmented Autonomous Platform at Black Hat 2025 A Stellar Cyber Event Coverage of Black Hat USA 2025 Las VegasAn ITSPmagazine Brand Story with Subo Guha, Senior Vice President Product, Stellar Cyber____________________________Security operations centers face an unprecedented challenge: thousands of daily alerts overwhelming analyst teams while sophisticated threats demand immediate response. At Black Hat USA 2025 in Las Vegas, Stellar Cyber presented a revolutionary approach that fundamentally reimagines how SOCs operate in the age of AI-driven threats.Speaking with ITSPmagazine's Sean Martin, Subo Guha, Senior Vice President of Products at Stellar Cyber, outlined the company's vision for transforming security operations through their human-augmented autonomous SOC platform. Unlike traditional approaches that simply pile on more automation, Stellar Cyber recognizes that effective security requires intelligent collaboration between AI and human expertise.The platform's three-layer architecture ingests data from any source – network devices, applications, identities, and endpoints – while maintaining vendor neutrality through open EDR integration. Organizations can seamlessly work with CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Sophos, or other preferred solutions without vendor lock-in. This flexibility proves crucial for enterprises navigating complex security ecosystems where different departments may have invested in various endpoint protection solutions.What sets Stellar Cyber apart is their autonomous SOC concept, which dramatically reduces alert volume from hundreds of thousands to manageable numbers within days rather than weeks. The platform's AI-driven auto-triage capability identifies true positives among thousands of false alarms, presenting analysts with prioritized "verdicts" that demand attention. This transformation addresses one of security operations' most persistent challenges: alert fatigue that leads to missed threats and burned-out analysts.The revolutionary AI Investigator copilot enables natural language interaction, allowing analysts to query the system conversationally. An analyst can simply ask, "Show me all impossible travel incidents between midnight and 4 AM," and receive actionable intelligence immediately. This democratization of security operations means junior analysts can perform at senior levels without extensive coding knowledge or years of experience navigating complex query languages.Identity threat detection and response (ITDR) emerged as another critical focus area during the Black Hat presentation. With identity becoming the new perimeter, Stellar Cyber integrated sophisticated user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) directly into the platform. The system detects impossible travel scenarios, credential attacks, and lateral movement patterns that indicate compromise. For instance, when a user logs in from Portland at 11 PM and then appears in Moscow 30 minutes later, the platform immediately flags this physical impossibility.The identity protection extends beyond human users to encompass non-human identities, addressing the growing threat of automated attacks powered by large language models. Hackers now leverage generative AI to create credential attacks at unprecedented scale and sophistication, making robust identity security more critical than ever.Guha emphasized that AI augmentation doesn't displace security professionals but elevates them. By automating mundane tasks, analysts focus on strategic decision-making and complex threat hunting. MSSPs report dramatic efficiency gains, scaling operations without proportionally increasing headcount. Where previously a hundred thousand alerts might take weeks to process, requiring extensive junior analyst teams, the platform now delivers actionable insights within days with smaller, more focused teams.The platform's unified approach eliminates tool sprawl, providing CISOs with real-time visualization of their security posture. Executive reporting becomes instantaneous, with high-priority verdicts clearly displayed for rapid decision-making. This visualization capability transforms how security teams communicate with leadership, replacing lengthy reports with dynamic dashboards that convey risk and response status at a glance.Real-world deployments demonstrate significant operational improvements. Organizations report faster mean time to detection and response, reduced false positive rates, and improved analyst satisfaction. The platform's learning capabilities mean it becomes more intelligent over time, adapting to each organization's unique threat landscape and operational patterns.As organizations face increasingly sophisticated threats powered by generative AI, Stellar Cyber's human-augmented approach represents a paradigm shift. By combining AI intelligence with human intuition, the platform delivers faster threat detection, reduced false positives, and empowered s

At Black Hat USA 2025, Danny Jenkins, CEO of ThreatLocker, shares how his team is proving that effective cybersecurity doesn’t have to be overly complex. The conversation centers on a straightforward yet powerful principle: security should be simple enough to implement quickly and consistently, while still addressing the evolving needs of diverse organizations.Jenkins emphasizes that the industry has moved beyond selling “magic” solutions that promise to find every threat. Instead, customers are demanding tangible results—tools that block threats by default, simplify approvals, and make exceptions easy to manage. ThreatLocker’s platform is built on this premise, enabling over 54,000 organizations worldwide to maintain a secure environment without slowing business operations.A highlight from the event is ThreatLocker’s Defense Against Configurations (DAC) module. This feature performs 170 daily checks on every endpoint, aligning them with compliance frameworks like NIST and FedRAMP. It not only detects misconfigurations but also explains why they matter and how to fix them. Jenkins admits the tool even revealed gaps in ThreatLocker’s own environment—issues that were resolved in minutes—proving its practical value.The discussion also touches on the company’s recent FedRAMP authorization process, a rigorous journey that validates both the product’s and the company’s security maturity. For federal agencies and contractors, this means faster compliance with CMMC and NIST requirements. For commercial clients, it’s an assurance that they’re working with a partner whose internal security practices meet some of the highest standards in the industry.As ThreatLocker expands its integrations and modules, Jenkins stresses that simplicity remains the guiding principle. This is achieved through constant engagement with customers—at trade shows, in the field, and within the company’s own managed services operations. By actively using their own products at scale, the team identifies friction points and smooths them out before customers encounter them.In short, the message from the booth at Black Hat is clear: effective security comes from strong fundamentals, simplified management, and a relentless focus on the user experience.Learn more about ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Danny Jenkins, CEO of ThreatLocker | On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjenkinscyber/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ThreatLocker: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/threatlockerLearn more and catch more stories from our Black Hat USA 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/bhusa25Learn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today’s connected world, corporate executives and board members live in a digital space that extends far beyond their company’s networks. Chris Pierson, CEO and Founder of BlackCloak, explains how protecting leaders requires more than traditional enterprise security—it calls for securing their personal digital lives.The threat landscape for high-profile individuals includes everything from compromised personal email accounts and hacked home networks to deepfake attacks and targeted identity theft. These risks not only threaten the individual but can cause significant financial and reputational damage to the companies they represent.BlackCloak addresses this by providing digital executive protection—securing executives, their families, and their homes with a blend of technology, privacy measures, and concierge-level service. This includes monitoring and removing data from brokers, detecting threats in the dark web, safeguarding home IoT devices, and even protecting yachts, jets, and vacation properties. The company also acts as an on-call cybersecurity and privacy advisor 24/7/365.A key component is the BlackCloak app, which serves as a security dashboard and communication hub. Through it, clients can see privacy risks being addressed in real time, receive alerts, and contact their dedicated concierge team. Behind the scenes, deception networks and active monitoring provide an extra layer of defense.Pierson highlights the growing convergence of cyber and physical threats. High-profile attacks and incidents in recent years underscore the importance of integrating cybersecurity with physical security, particularly for executives who are constantly in the public eye. With AI accelerating both the speed and sophistication of attacks, organizations need to consider a holistic approach—protecting not only networks and devices but the digital personas of their people.Ultimately, Pierson sees this as part of a broader shift toward making security a lifestyle component for executives, much like comprehensive healthcare benefits. It’s about creating an always-on layer of protection that travels with them—whether they’re in the office, at home, or halfway around the world.Learn more about BlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcwebNote: This story contains promotional content.Learn more.Guest:Chris Pierson, Founder & CEO, BlackCloak | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from BlackCloak: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blackcloakLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: Black Hat 2025, zero trust security, cybersecurity conference, ThreatLocker, default deny strategy, endpoint protection, application control, threat detection, enterprise security, network security, cybersecurity solutions, security automation, malware prevention, cyber threats, information security, security platform, Black Hat USA, cybersecurity innovation, managed detection response, security operations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At Black Hat USA 2025, Rupesh Chokshi, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Akamai Technologies, connected with ITSPmagazine’s Sean Martin to discuss the dual realities shaping enterprise AI adoption—tremendous opportunity and significant risk.AI is driving a seismic transformation in business operations, with executive teams rapidly deploying proof-of-concept projects to capture competitive advantage. Yet, as Chokshi notes, many of these initiatives race ahead without fully integrating security teams into the process. While budgets for AI are expanding, funding for AI-specific security measures often lags behind, leaving organizations exposed.One of the most pressing concerns is the rise of AI bots—Akamai observes 150 billion such bots traversing networks daily. These bots scrape valuable digital content, train models on it, and, in some cases, replace direct customer interactions with summarized answers. The result? Lost marketing leads, disrupted sales funnels, and even manipulated product recommendations—all without traditional “breach” indicators.This is not just a security problem; it’s a business continuity challenge. Organizations must develop strategies to block or manage scraping, including commercial agreements for content usage. Beyond this, the proliferation of conversational AI agents—whether for booking tickets, providing mortgage information, or recommending products—introduces new attack surfaces. Threat actors exploit prompt injections, jailbreaks, and code execution vulnerabilities to compromise these interfaces, risking both customer trust and brand reputation.Akamai’s response includes capabilities such as Firewall for AI, providing in-line visibility and control over AI-driven sessions, and bot mitigation technologies that protect high-value content. By offering real-time threat intelligence tailored to customer environments, Akamai helps enterprises maintain agility without sacrificing protection.Chokshi’s call to action is clear: every company is now an AI company, and security must be embedded from the outset. Boards should view security not as a budget line item, but as the foundation for innovation velocity, brand integrity, and long-term competitiveness.Learn more about Akamai: https://itspm.ag/akamailbwcNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests:Rupesh Chokshi, SVP & General Manager, Application Security, Akamai | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupeshchokshi/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Akamai: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/akamaiLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) has long been burdened by heavy manual processes, slow assessments, and limited visibility. In this Brand Story episode, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli are joined by Anders Søborg, Co-Founder of Eve, and Mark Humphrey, who brings two decades of fraud and cybersecurity experience to the team. Together, they unpack how Eve is challenging traditional GRC tools by offering something entirely different: automation with evidence-based intelligence at its core.Anders shares how his experience as Chief Risk Officer and partner at major firms like Ernst & Young and PwC shaped Eve’s mission. He describes a world where compliance doesn’t have to mean complexity. Eve’s AI engine evaluates more than a thousand controls in under 15 minutes—surpassing manual reviews that could take weeks—and goes a step further by offering recommendations, not just red flags.This isn’t about replacing people. It’s about helping overwhelmed compliance, risk, and audit teams regain control. Mark emphasizes how Eve operates like a true partner, delivering support with no ego and full transparency. Their approach combines deep regulatory knowledge, contextual AI agents trained on real-world frameworks, and a clear respect for data sovereignty and privacy—an essential requirement for global pharma, financial, and consulting clients already relying on the platform.More than a dashboard, Eve acts as an intelligent engine embedded into existing workflows via API, making it a natural complement—not a competitor—to existing GRC platforms. The platform is customizable, evidence-driven, and built with firsthand knowledge of what compliance professionals actually need: clear guidance, real-time answers, and fewer repetitive tasks.The episode leaves listeners with a compelling question: what if your compliance program could coach your team, reduce audit costs, and provide instant visibility—without sacrificing accuracy or control?Learn more about E-V-E GRC: https://itspm.ag/eve-grc-99Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests:Anders Søborg, Co-founder, Director at E-V-E GRC | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anders-s%C3%B8borg-3826702/Mark Humphrey, Senior Sales and Channel Director EMEA at E-V-E GRC | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-humphrey-mba-0020192b1/ResourcesRedefine Compliance. Unleash Your Potential with E-V-E GRC. Command Compliance: https://itspm.ag/e-v-e-i1mlLearn more and catch more stories from E-V-E GRC: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/evegrcLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Digital risk is no longer confined to the enterprise perimeter. Executives and board members—along with their families—are increasingly targeted outside of work, in personal settings, and online. Dr. Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to discuss the current state of digital executive protection and why a piecemeal approach is insufficient.Chris outlines how threats to privacy, cybersecurity, and physical safety intersect across personal and professional domains. A breached home network, a deepfake circulating online, or a targeted social engineering campaign could all become entry points back into a company’s infrastructure—or lead to reputational or financial fallout. That’s why BlackCloak takes a holistic view, combining identity protection, device hardening, social listening, concierge response, and physical risk monitoring into a single service.One of the key resources discussed is the vendor-agnostic Digital Executive Protection Framework. Free to download and use, it offers CISOs and CSOs a 14-point checklist covering areas like financial data protection, social media monitoring, physical threats, and personal cyber hygiene. According to Chris, it’s designed to be practical, actionable, and easy to integrate into quarterly reviews and budget planning cycles.While many security vendors promise protection through tools alone, BlackCloak emphasizes relationships—human connection is built into the service. The platform includes real-time threat response and one-on-one interaction, going far beyond 1-800 numbers or chatbots.Whether you’re managing executive risk for a Fortune 500 company or navigating new board-level cyber obligations, this conversation outlines the real gaps in current corporate protections—and a solution that meets executives where they are.Learn more about BlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcwebNote: This story contains promotional content.Learn more.Guest:Chris Pierson, Founder & CEO, BlackCloak | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from BlackCloak: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blackcloakLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: Black Hat 2025, zero trust security, cybersecurity conference, ThreatLocker, default deny strategy, endpoint protection, application control, threat detection, enterprise security, network security, cybersecurity solutions, security automation, malware prevention, cyber threats, information security, security platform, Black Hat USA, cybersecurity innovation, managed detection response, security operations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As digital infrastructure becomes increasingly interwoven with third-party code, APIs, and AI-generated components, organizations are realizing they can’t ignore the origins—or the risks—of their software. Theresa Lanowitz, Chief Evangelist at LevelBlue, joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to unpack why software supply chain visibility has become a top concern not just for CISOs, but for CEOs as well.Drawing from LevelBlue’s Data and AI Accelerator Report, part of their annual Futures Report series, Theresa highlights a striking correlation: 80% of organizations with low software supply chain visibility experienced a breach in the past year, while only 6% with high visibility did. That data underscores the critical role visibility plays in reducing business risk and maintaining operational resilience.More than a technical concern, software supply chain risk is now a boardroom topic. According to the report, CEOs have the highest awareness of this risk—even more than CIOs and CISOs—because of the direct impact on brand reputation, stock value, and partner trust. As Theresa puts it, software has become the “last mile” of digital business, and that makes it everyone’s problem.The conversation explores why now is the time to act. Government regulations are increasing, adversarial attacks are intensifying, and organizations are finally beginning to connect software vulnerabilities with business outcomes. Theresa outlines four critical actions: leverage CEO awareness, understand and prioritize vulnerabilities, invest in modern security technologies, and demand transparency from third-party providers.Importantly, cybersecurity culture is emerging as a key differentiator. Companies that embed security KPIs across all business units—and align security with business priorities—are not only more secure, they’re also more agile. As software creation moves faster and more modular, the organizations that prioritize visibility and responsibility throughout the supply chain will be best positioned to adapt, grow, and protect their operations.Learn more about LevelBlue: https://itspm.ag/levelblue266f6cNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Theresa Lanowitz, Chief Evangelist of AT&T Cybersecurity / LevelBlue [@LevelBlueCyber]On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalanowitz/ResourcesTo learn more, download the complete findings of the LevelBlue Threat Trends Report here: https://itspm.ag/levelbyqdpTo download the 2025 LevelBlue Data Accelerator: Software Supply Chain and Cybersecurity report, visit: https://itspm.ag/lbdaf6iLearn more and catch more stories from LevelBlue: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/levelblueLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ThreatLocker to Unveil Game-Changing Zero Trust Innovations at Black Hat 2025 | Visit Them at Booth #1933 | A ThreatLocker Pre-Event Coverage of Black Hat USA 2025 Las Vegas | Brand Story with John LillistonJoin ITSP Magazine's Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin as they preview ThreatLocker's exciting Black Hat 2025 presence with Detect Product Director John Lilliston. Discover upcoming major announcements, hands-on hacking demos, and how ThreatLocker's default deny approach is revolutionizing enterprise cybersecurity through comprehensive zero trust implementation.As Black Hat USA 2025 approaches, cybersecurity professionals are gearing up for one of the industry's most anticipated events. ITSP Magazine's Marco Ciappelli and Sean Martin recently sat down with John Lilliston, ThreatLocker's Detect Product Director, to preview what promises to be an exciting showcase of zero trust innovation at booth 1933.ThreatLocker has become synonymous with the "default deny" security approach, a philosophy that fundamentally changes how organizations protect their digital assets. Unlike traditional security models that allow by default and block known threats, ThreatLocker's approach denies everything by default and allows only approved applications, network communications, and storage operations. This comprehensive strategy operates across application, network, and storage levels, creating what Lilliston describes as a "hardened system that stops adversaries in their tracks."The company's rapid growth reflects the industry's embrace of zero trust principles, moving beyond buzzword status to practical, enterprise-ready solutions. Lilliston, who joined ThreatLocker in February after evaluating their products from the enterprise side, emphasizes how the platform's learning mode and ring fencing capabilities set it apart from competitors in the application control space.At Black Hat 2025, ThreatLocker will demonstrate their defense-in-depth strategy through their Detect product line. While their primary zero trust controls rarely fail, Detect provides crucial monitoring for applications that must run in enterprise environments but may have elevated risk profiles. The system can automatically orchestrate responses to threats, such as locking down browsers exhibiting irregular behavior that might indicate data exfiltration attempts.Visitors to booth 1933 can expect hands-on demonstrations and on-demand hacking scenarios that showcase real-world applications of ThreatLocker's technology. The company is preparing major announcements that CEO Danny Houlihan will reveal during the event, promising game-changing developments for both the organization and its client base.ThreatLocker's Black Hat agenda includes a welcome reception on Tuesday, August 5th, from 7-10 PM at the Mandalay Bay Complex, and Houlihan's presentation on "Simplifying Cybersecurity" on Thursday, August 7th, from 10:15-11:05 AM at Mandalay Bay J.The convergence of practical zero trust implementation, cutting-edge threat detection, and automated response capabilities positions ThreatLocker as a key player in the evolving cybersecurity landscape, making their Black Hat presence essential viewing for security professionals seeking comprehensive protection strategies.Keywords: Black Hat 2025, zero trust security, cybersecurity conference, ThreatLocker, default deny strategy, endpoint protection, application control, threat detection, enterprise security, network security, cybersecurity solutions, security automation, malware prevention, cyber threats, information security, security platform, Black Hat USA, cybersecurity innovation, managed detection response, security operationsLearn more about ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974Note: This story contains promotional content.Learn more.Guests:John LillistonCybersecurity Director | Threat Detection & Response | SOC Leadership | DFIR | EDR/XDR Strategy | GCFA, GISP | https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lilliston-4725217b/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ThreatLocker: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/threatlockerThreatLocker® Welcome Reception | Don't gamble with your security! Join us at Black Hat for a lively Welcome Reception hosted by ThreatLocker®. Meet our Cyber Hero® Team and dive into discussions on the latest advancements in ThreatLocker®Endpoint Security. It's a great opportunity to connect and learn together! ‍‍Time: 7PM - 10PM | Location: Mandalay Bay Complex RSVP below and we'll send you a confirmation email with all the details.[ Welcome Reception RSVP ]Learn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://w

Ahead of Black Hat USA 2025, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli sit down once again with Rupesh Chokshi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Application Security Group at Akamai, for a forward-looking conversation on the state of AI security. From new threat trends to enterprise missteps, Rupesh lays out three focal points for this year’s security conversation: protecting generative AI at runtime, addressing the surge in AI scraper bots, and defending the APIs that serve as the foundation for AI systems.Rupesh shares that Akamai is now detecting over 150 billion AI scraping attempts—a staggering signal of the scale and sophistication of machine-to-machine activity. These scraper bots are not only siphoning off data but also undermining digital business models by bypassing monetization channels, especially in publishing, media, and content-driven sectors.While AI introduces productivity gains and operational efficiency, it also introduces new and uncharted risks. Agentic AI, where autonomous systems operate on behalf of users or other systems, is pushing cybersecurity teams to rethink their strategies. Traditional firewalls aren’t enough—because these threats don’t behave like yesterday’s attacks. Prompt injection, toxic output, and AI-generated hallucinations are some of the issues now surfacing in enterprise environments, with over 70% of organizations already experiencing AI-related incidents.This brings the focus to the runtime. Akamai’s newly launched Firewall for AI is purpose-built to detect and mitigate risks in generative AI and LLM applications—without disrupting performance. Designed to flag issues like toxic output, remote code execution, or compliance violations, it operates with real-time visibility across inputs and outputs. It’s not just about defense—it’s about building trust as AI moves deeper into decision-making and workflow automation.CISOs, says Rupesh, need to shift from high-level discussions to deep, tactical understanding of where and how their organizations are deploying AI. This means not only securing AI but also working hand-in-hand with the business to establish governance, drive discovery, and embed security into the fabric of innovation.Learn more about Akamai: https://itspm.ag/akamailbwcNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests:Rupesh Chokshi, SVP & General Manager, Application Security, Akamai | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupeshchokshi/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Akamai: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/akamaiLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Black Hat USA 2025 approaches, the cybersecurity world is buzzing with innovation—and Dropzone AI is right at the center of it. With roots in Seattle and a mission to bring true intelligence into the security operations center (SOC), the Dropzone AI team is gearing up for a packed week in Las Vegas, from BSides to the AI Summit, and finally at Startup City (booth #6427).Founded by Edward Wu, former Head of AI/ML at ExtraHop Networks, Dropzone AI was built on a key realization: the last thing SOCs need is another flood of alerts. Instead, they need help processing and acting on them. That’s where Dropzone comes in—offering an AI-powered security analyst that doesn’t just detect threats, but investigates, correlates, and takes action.During a recent pre-event chat with ITSPmagazine’s Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli, Edward explained the core philosophy behind the platform. Unlike hype-driven claims of “fully autonomous SOCs,” Dropzone takes a practical, tiered approach to automation. Their agentic AI system performs full investigations, determines the nature of alerts (true vs. false positives), and recommends or executes containment actions depending on risk tolerance and policy.The tech has found particular traction with lean security teams, or those expanding toward 24/7 coverage without adding headcount. Rather than replacing humans, the platform augments them—freeing analysts from the drudgery of low-priority alert triage and giving them space to focus on strategic work. As Edward put it, “Nobody wants to be a tier-one analyst forever.” Dropzone helps make sure they don’t have to be.The platform integrates across existing security stacks and data sources, drawing from threat intel, logs, and endpoint signals to build a full picture of every alert. Security teams retain full control, with human-in-the-loop decision-making remaining the standard in most use cases. However, for low-risk assets and off-hours scenarios, some customers are already authorizing autonomous action.With conversations at Black Hat expected to revolve around the reality of AI in production—not just the vision—Dropzone is entering the perfect arena. From demonstrating real-world impact to sharing insights on agentic design and trust boundaries, their presence will resonate with everyone from analysts to CISOs.Whether you’re building out your SOC, questioning your MDR provider, or simply overwhelmed with alert fatigue, this may be your signal. Dropzone AI isn’t selling buzzwords. They’re delivering results. Visit them at Startup City, booth #6427, and see for yourself what the future of alert triage and SOC efficiency looks like—one investigation at a time. Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests:Edward Wu, Founder/CEO at Dropzone AI On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardxwu/DROPZONE AI: https://itspm.ag/dropzoneai-641Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.com______________________ResourcesVisit the DROPZONE Website to learn more: https://itspm.ag/dropzoneai-641Learn more and catch more stories from Dropzone on ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/dropzoneaiLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The HITRUST 2025 Trust Report sheds light on a critical question organizations continue to ask: can you really rely on a certification to mean what it says? According to Vincent Bennekers, Vice President of Quality, and Bimal Sheth, Executive Vice President of Standards Development and Assurance Operations at HITRUST, the answer comes down to one word: reliability.The conversation highlights how HITRUST goes beyond a simple checklist by layering in both threat intelligence and maturity modeling. Their framework isn’t just built on abstract risk—it incorporates real-world attack techniques, aligning controls to the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This means that the certification reflects actual adversarial tactics rather than hypothetical risk scenarios.Bennekers shares that 99.41% of HITRUST-certified organizations did not report a breach in the last year, and that consistency over two annual reports points to meaningful outcomes—not just marketing claims. Sheth explains how each certification is reviewed in full by HITRUST, not just sampled, and every control is assessed for maturity—not pass/fail. It’s a model that helps companies continuously improve, while also giving relying parties better information.For executive teams and boards, the report surfaces where organizations commonly struggle, including access control, vulnerability management, and third-party risk. It also highlights a growing use of external inheritance—leveraging cloud service providers’ security posture—as a strategic move for organizations with tighter budgets.Looking ahead, the conversation points to continuous assurance and the evolving role of AI—both as a source of new risks and a tool to enhance security operations. HITRUST is already exploring certification models that reduce drift and increase visibility year-round.For organizations wanting to build more than just a paper shield, this episode unpacks how certification—done right—can be a strategic, measurable advantage.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests:Bimal Sheth, Executive Vice President of Standards Development and Assurance Operations at HITRUST | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bimal-sheth-248219130/Vincent Bennekers, Vice President of Quality at HITRUST | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-bennekers-a0b3201/Host:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast | https://www.seanmartin.com/______________________Keywords: sean martin, bimal sheth, vincent bennekers, hitrust, trust report, cybersecurity, compliance, certification, quality assurance, risk management, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________ResourcesHITRUST 2025 Trust Report: https://itspm.ag/hitrusz49cWebinar: Beyond the Checkbox: Rethinking SOC 2, Cybersecurity, and Third-Party Risk in 2025 — An ITSPmagazine Webinar with HITRUST (https://www.crowdcast.io/c/beyond-the-checkbox-rethinking-soc-2-cybersecurity-and-third-party-risk-in-2025-an-itspmagazine-webinar-with-hitrust)Visit the HITRUST Website to learn more: https://itspm.ag/itsphitwebLearn more and catch more stories from HITRUST on ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/hitrustLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Getting a start in cybersecurity has never been easy — but for today’s aspiring pen testers, the entry barriers are even higher than they were a decade ago. In this conversation, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli sit down with Greg Hatcher and John Stigerwalt from White Knight Labs to unpack why they decided to flip the script on entry-level offensive security training.Greg, a former Army Special Operations communicator, and John, who got his break as a self-taught hacker, agree that the traditional path — expensive certifications and theoretical labs — doesn’t reflect the reality of the work. That’s why White Knight Labs is launching the Entry Level Pen Tester (ELPT) program. The idea is straightforward: make high-quality, practical training accessible to anyone, anywhere.Unlike other courses that focus purely on the technical side, the ELPT emphasizes the full skill set a junior pen tester needs. This means not just breaking into systems, but learning how to write clear reports, communicate effectively with clients, and operate as part of a real engagement team. John explains that even the best technical find is worthless if it’s not explained properly or delivered with clear guidance for fixing the issue.Greg points out that the team culture at White Knight Labs borrows from his Special Forces days — small, specialized teams where each individual goes deep on a specific domain but works in tight coordination with others. Their goal for trainees mirrors this: to develop focused, practical skills while understanding how their piece fits into bigger, complex attack scenarios.Affordability and global access are key parts of the mission. The team wants the ELPT to open doors for people who might not have thousands to spend on training. By combining hands-on labs, in-depth modules, real-world scenarios, and a tough final exam, they aim to ensure that passing the ELPT means you’re truly job-ready.For anyone considering a start in offensive security, this episode is a glimpse into a program designed to create more than just hackers — it’s building adaptable, communicative professionals ready to hit the ground running.Learn more about White Knight Labs: https://itspm.ag/white-knight-labs-vukrGuests:John Stigerwalt | Founder at White Knight Labs | Red Team Operations Leader | https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stigerwalt-90a9b4110/Greg Hatcher | Founder at White Knight Labs | SOF veteran | Red Team | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryhatcher2/______________________Keywords: sean martin, marco ciappelli, greg hatcher, john stigerwalt, cybersecurity, pentesting, training, certification, whiteknightlabs, hacking, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________ResourcesVisit the White Knight Labs Website to learn more: https://itspm.ag/white-knight-labs-vukrLearn more and catch more stories from White Knight Labs on ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/white-knight-labsLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cyber threats are not static—and HITRUST knows assurance can’t be either. That’s why HITRUST's Michael Moore is leading efforts to ensure the HITRUST framework evolves in step with the threat environment, business needs, and the technologies teams are using to respond.In this episode, Moore outlines how the HITRUST Cyber Threat Adaptive (CTA) program transforms traditional assessment models into something far more dynamic. Instead of relying on outdated frameworks or conducting audits that only capture a point-in-time view, HITRUST is using real-time threat intelligence, breach data, and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and MITRE ATLAS to continuously evaluate and update its assessment requirements.The E1 and I1 assessments—designed for organizations at different points in their security maturity—serve as flexible baselines that shift with current risk. Moore explains that by leveraging CTA, HITRUST can add or update controls in response to rising attack patterns, such as the resurgence of phishing or the emergence of AI-driven exploits. These updates are informed by a broad ecosystem of signals, including insurance claims data and AI-parsed breach reports, offering both frequency and impact context.One of the key advantages Moore highlights is the ability for security teams to benefit from these updates without having to conduct their own exhaustive analysis. As Moore puts it, “You get it by proxy of using our frameworks.” In addition to streamlining how teams manage and demonstrate compliance, the evolving assessments also support conversations with business leaders and boards—giving them visibility into how well the organization is prepared for the threats that matter most right now.HITRUST is also planning to bring more of this intelligence into its assessment platform and reports, including showing how individual assessments align with the top threats at the time of certification. This not only strengthens third-party assurance but also enables more confident internal decision-making—whether that’s about improving phishing defenses or updating incident response playbooks.From AI-enabled moderation of threats to proactive regulatory mapping, HITRUST is building the connective tissue between risk intelligence and real-world action.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Michael Moore, Senior Manager, Digital Innovation at HITRUST | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhmoore04/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast | https://www.seanmartin.com/Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | https://www.marcociappelli.com/______________________Keywords: sean martin, marco ciappelli, michael moore, hitrust, cybersecurity, threat intelligence, risk management, compliance, assurance, ai security, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________ResourcesVisit the HITRUST Website to learn more: https://itspm.ag/itsphitwebLearn more and catch more stories from HITRUST on ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/hitrustLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Security teams often rely on scoring systems like Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS), and Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) to make sense of vulnerability data—but these frameworks don’t always deliver the clarity needed to act. In this episode, Tod Beardsley, Vice President of Security Research at runZero, joins host Sean Martin at InfoSec Europe 2025 to challenge how organizations use these scoring systems and to explain why context is everything when it comes to exposure management.Beardsley shares his experience navigating the limitations of vulnerability scoring. He explains why common outputs—like a CVSS score of 7.8—often leave teams with too many “priorities,” forcing them into ineffective, binary patch-or-don’t-patch decisions. By contrast, he highlights the real value in understanding factors like access vectors and environmental fit, which help security teams focus on what’s relevant to their specific networks and business-critical systems.The conversation also explores SSVC’s ability to drive action through decision-tree logic rather than abstract scores, enabling defenders to justify priorities to leadership based on mission impact. This context-centric approach requires a deep understanding of both the asset and its role in the business—something Beardsley notes can be hard to achieve without support.That’s where runZero steps in. Beardsley outlines how the platform identifies unmanaged or forgotten devices—including IoT, legacy systems, and third-party gear—without needing credentials or agents. From uncovering multi-homed light bulbs that straddle segmented networks to scanning for default passwords and misconfigurations, RunZero shines a light into the forgotten corners of corporate infrastructure.The episode closes with a look at merger and acquisition use cases, where runZero helps acquiring companies understand the actual tech debt and exposure risk in the environments they’re buying. As Beardsley puts it, the goal is simple: give defenders the visibility and context they need to act now—not after something breaks.Whether you’re tracking vulnerabilities, uncovering shadow assets, or preparing for your next acquisition, this episode invites you to rethink what visibility really means—and how you can stop chasing scores and start reducing risk.Learn more about runZero: https://itspm.ag/runzero-5733Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Tod Beardsley, Vice President of Security Research at runZero | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todb/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from runZero: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/runzeroAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: sean martin, tod beardsley, runzero, exposure, vulnerability, asset, risk, ssdc, cvss, iot, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Chief Technology Officer at eSentire, Dustin Hillard brings a deeply rooted background in AI and machine learning—going back over 15 years—to the practical challenges of cybersecurity. In this episode, Hillard discusses how his team is using agentic AI not for the sake of hype, but to augment real human workflows and achieve measurable, high-impact outcomes for clients.The conversation begins with a critical point: AI should be an enabler, not a shiny object. Hillard contrasts the superficial marketing claims that dominate vendor messaging with the grounded, transparent approach his team takes—an approach that fuses technology with hands-on human expertise to deliver results.eSentire’s focus is on containment and control. In over 99% of intrusion cases, their platform successfully stops threats at the first host. That is the benchmark by which Hillard wants AI judged—not by its novelty or buzz, but by whether it helps security teams stop attacks before damage spreads.Key to achieving this is the way automation is used to supercharge analysts. Instead of running just three or five high-value queries in a 15-minute response window, eSentire’s AI framework runs 30. This allows the system to comb through a customer’s historical data, generate hypotheses based on broader knowledge bases, and deliver structured, contextual findings. Analysts can then focus on judgment and decision-making, not searching logs or assembling fragments.Three pillars underpin this approach: direct telemetry gathering from tools like CrowdStrike and Microsoft, threat intelligence correlation, and contextual data from the customer environment. These layers combine to offer rich insights, fast. And importantly, the AI doesn’t operate in a black box. Hillard stresses explainability and auditability—every recommendation must be traceable back to concrete evidence, not just LLM-generated summaries.He also touches on the eight assessment areas his team uses to evaluate AI readiness and safety: from autonomy and guardrails to data privacy, effectiveness metrics, and adversarial resilience. The point isn’t to convince customers with buzzwords, but to earn trust by demonstrating measurable results and opening the door to real conversations.By encoding the investigative playbooks of seasoned analysts and executing them dynamically, agentic AI at eSentire isn’t replacing humans—it’s empowering them to respond faster and more accurately. That’s the difference between checking a marketing box and actually making a difference when every second counts.Guest: Dustin Hillard | CTO, eSentire | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinhillard/RESOURCESSorry We’re So Good: An Open Letter: https://itspm.ag/esentire-sorry4ekVisit the eSentire Website to learn more: https://itspm.ag/esentire-594149Learn more and catch more stories from eSentire on ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/esentireLearn more about ITSPmagazine Brand Story Podcasts: https://www.itspmagazine.com/purchase-programsNewsletter Archive: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/tune-into-the-latest-podcasts-7109347022809309184/Business Newsletter Signup: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-business-updates-sign-upAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-story______________________Keywords: dustin hillard, sean martin, marco ciappelli, cybersecurity, ai, machine learning, automation, investigation, containment, transparency, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When it comes to data protection, the word “immutability” often feels like it belongs in the realm of enterprise giants with complex infrastructure and massive budgets. But during this RSAC Conference conversation, Sterling Wilson, Field CTO at Object First, makes a strong case that immutability should be, and can be, for everyone.Wilson brings a grounded perspective shaped by his experience on the floor at RSAC, where Object First made its debut as a sponsor. The energy, he notes, was contagious: not just among vendors, but also from practitioners expressing serious concerns about their ability to recover data post-incident. These conversations weren’t hypothetical; they were real worries tied to rising insurance premiums, regulatory compliance, and operational survivability. And at the core of all this? Trust in the data backup process.Agentic AI, AI capable of making decisions independently, is one of the trends Wilson flags as both promising and risky. It offers potential for improving preparedness and accelerating recovery. But it also raises concerns around access and control of sensitive data, particularly if exploited by adversaries. For Sterling, the opportunity lies in combining proactive readiness with simplicity and control, especially for those who aren’t traditional security practitioners.Object First is doing just that through OOTBI: Out of the Box Immutability. And yes, there’s a mascot: OOTBI. More than just a marketing hook, OOTBI represents a shift toward making backup and recovery systems approachable, usable, and, importantly, accessible. According to Wilson, the product gets users from “box to backup” in 15 minutes... with encrypted, immutable storage that meets critical requirements for cyber insurance coverage.Cost, Wilson adds, is a key barrier that often prevents organizations from reaching data protection best practices. That’s why Object First now offers consumption-based pricing models. Whether a business is cloud-first or scaling fast, it’s a path to protection that doesn’t require breaking the budget.Ultimately, Wilson emphasizes education and community as critical drivers of progress. From field labs where teams can configure their own Opi, to on-location conference conversations, the company is building awareness, and reducing fear, by making secure storage not just a feature, but a foundation.This episode is a reminder that effective cybersecurity isn’t only about innovation; it’s about inclusion, practicality, and trust... both in your tools and your team.Learn more about Object First: https://itspm.ag/object-first-2gjlNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Sterling Wilson, Field CTO, Object First | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterling-wilson/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Object First: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/object-firstLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, marco ciappelli, sterling wilson, immutability, agentic, ai, backup, recovery, cybersecurity, insurance, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Manico’s passion for secure coding has always been rooted in deeply technical practices—methods that matter most to developers writing code day in and day out. At OWASP Global AppSec EU 2025 Conference in Barcelona, Manico brings that same precision and care to a broader conversation around the intersection of application security and artificial intelligence.While many are still just beginning to assess how AI impacts application development, Manico has been preparing for this moment for years. Two and a half years ago, he saw a shift—traditional low-level technical bugs were being mitigated effectively by mature organizations. The new challenge? Business logic flaws and access control issues that scanners can’t easily detect. This change signaled a new direction, prompting him to dive into AI security long before it became fashionable.Now, Manico is delivering AI-flavored AppSec training, helping developers understand the risks of insecure code generated by large language models. His research shows that even the best AI coding tools—from Claude to Copilot—still generate insecure code out of the box. That’s where his work becomes transformative: by developing detailed, framework-specific prompts grounded in decades of secure coding knowledge, he has trained these tools to write safer code, using React, Django, Vue, and more.Beyond teaching, he’s building. With 200 volunteers, he’s leading the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Security Verification Standard (AISVS), a new OWASP project inspired by the well-known Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS). Generated with both AI and human collaboration, the AISVS already has a v0.1 release and aims for a major update by summer.For Manico, this isn’t just a technical evolution—it’s a personal renaissance. His deep catalog of secure coding techniques, once used primarily for human education, is now fueling a new generation of AI-assisted development. And he’s just getting started.This episode isn’t just about where AppSec is going. It’s a call to developers and security professionals to rethink how we teach, how we build, and how we can use AI to enhance—not endanger—the software we create.Learn more about Manicode: https://itspm.ag/manicode-security-7q8iNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Jim Manico, Founder and Secure Coding Educator at Manicode Security | On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmanico/ResourcesJim's OWASP Session: https://owasp2025globalappseceu.sched.com/event/1wfpM/leveraging-ai-for-secure-react-development-with-effective-prompt-engineeringDownload the Course Catalog: https://itspm.ag/manicode-x684Learn more and catch more stories from Manicode Security: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/manicode-securityAre you interested in telling your story?https://www.itspmagazine.com/telling-your-storyKeywords: jim manico, sean martin, appsec, ai, owasp, securecoding, developers, aisvs, training, react, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As InfoSecurity Europe prepares to welcome cybersecurity professionals from across the globe, Rob Allen, Chief Product Officer at ThreatLocker, shares why this moment—and this location—matters. Allen doesn’t frame the conversation around hype or headlines. Instead, he focuses on a universal truth: organizations want to sleep better at night knowing their environments are secure.ThreatLocker’s mission is grounded in achieving Zero Trust in a simple, operationally feasible way. But more than that, Allen emphasizes their value as enablers of peace of mind. Whether helping customers prevent ransomware attacks or meet regional regulatory requirements like GDPR or Australia’s Essential Eight, the company is working toward real-world solutions that reduce complexity without sacrificing security. Their presence at events like InfoSecurity Europe is key—not just for outreach, but to hear directly from customers and partners about what’s working and where they need help.Why Being There MattersDifferent regions have different pressures. In Australia, adoption surged without any local team initially on the ground—driven purely by alignment with the Essential Eight framework. In the UK, it’s conversations about Cyber Essentials that shape booth discussions. Regulations aren’t just compliance checklists; they’re also conversation starters that change how organizations prioritize security.The ThreatLocker team doesn’t rely on generic demos or vague promises. They bring targeted examples to the booth—like asking attendees if they know what software can be run on their machines without alerting anyone. If tools like remote desktop applications or archive utilities can be freely executed, attackers can use them too. This is where ThreatLocker steps in: controlling what runs, identifying what’s necessary, and blocking what isn’t.Booth D90 and BeyondRob Allen invites anyone—whether they’re new to ThreatLocker or longtime users—to visit booth D90. The team, built with a mix of technical skill and humor (ask about the “second-best beard” in the company), is there to listen and help. It’s not just about showcasing technology; it’s about building relationships and reinforcing a shared goal: practical, proactive cybersecurity that makes a measurable difference.If you’re at InfoSecurity Europe, stop by. If you’re not, this episode offers a meaningful glimpse into why showing up—both physically and philosophically—matters in cybersecurity.Learn more about ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Rob Allen, Chief Product Officer, ThreatLocker | https://www.linkedin.com/in/threatlockerrob/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ThreatLocker: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/threatlockerCyber Essentials Guide: https://threatlocker.kb.help/threatlocker-and-cyber-essentials-compliance/?utm_source=itsp&utm_medium=sponsor&utm_campaign=infosec_europe_pre_interview_rob_q2_25&utm_content=infosec_europe_pre_interview_rob&utm_term=podcastAustralia's Essential Eight Guide: https://www.threatlocker.com/whitepaper/australia-essential-eight?utm_source=itsp&utm_medium=sponsor&utm_campaign=infosec_europe_pre_interview_rob_q2_25&utm_content=infosec_europe_pre_interviLearn more and catch more event coverage stories from Infosecurity Europe 2025 in London: https://www.itspmagazine.com/infosec25 ______________________Keywords:sean martin, marco ciappelli, rob allen, cybersecurity, zero trust, infosec, compliance, ransomware, endpoint, regulation, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At RSAC Conference 2025, the conversation with Rob Allen, Chief Product Officer at ThreatLocker, centered on something deceptively simple: making cybersecurity effective by making it manageable.During this on-location recap episode, Rob shares how ThreatLocker cut through the noise of flashy booths and AI buzzwords by focusing on meaningful, face-to-face conversations with customers and prospects. Their booth was an open, no-frills space—designed for real dialogue, not distractions. What caught people’s attention, though, wasn’t the booth layout—it was a live demonstration of a PowerShell-based attack using a rubber ducky device. It visually captured how traditional tools often miss malicious scripts and how ThreatLocker’s controls shut it down immediately. That kind of simplicity, Rob explains, is the real differentiator.Zero Trust Is a Journey—But It Doesn’t Have to Be ComplicatedOne key message Rob emphasizes is that true security doesn’t come from piling on more tools. Too many organizations rely on overlapping detection and response solutions, which leads to confusion and technical debt. “If you have five different jackets and they’re all winter coats, you’re not prepared for summer,” Sean Martin jokes, reinforcing Rob’s point that layers should be distinct, not redundant.ThreatLocker’s approach simplifies Zero Trust by focusing on proactive control—limiting what can execute or communicate in the first place. Rob also points to the importance of vendor consolidation—not just from a purchasing standpoint but from an operational one. With ThreatLocker, multiple security capabilities are built natively into a single platform with one agent and one portal, avoiding the chaos of disjointed systems.From Technical Wins to Human ConnectionsThe conversation wraps with a reminder that cybersecurity isn’t just about tools—it’s about the people and community that make the work worthwhile. Rob, Marco Ciappelli, and Sean Martin reflect on their shared experiences around the event and even the lessons learned over a slice of Detroit-style pizza. While the crust may have been debatable, the camaraderie and commitment to doing security better were not.Learn more about ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974⸻Guest: Rob Allen, Chief Product Officer, ThreatLocker | https://www.linkedin.com/in/threatlockerrob/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ThreatLocker: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/threatlockerLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, marco ciappelli, rob allen, cybersecurity, zero trust, threat prevention, powerShell, vendor consolidation, rsac2025, endpoint security, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At RSAC 2025, the most urgent signals weren’t necessarily the loudest. As ISACA board member and cybersecurity veteran Rob Clyde joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli for a post-conference recap, it’s clear that conversations about the future of the profession—and its people—mattered just as much as discussions on AI and cryptography.More Than a Job: Why Community MattersRob Clyde shares his long-standing involvement with ISACA and reflects on the powerful role that professional associations play in cybersecurity careers. It’s not just about certifications—though Clyde notes that employers often value them more than degrees—it’s also about community, mentorship, and mutual support. When asked how many people landed a job because of someone in their local ISACA chapter, half the room raised their hands. That kind of connection is difficult to overstate.Clyde urges cybersecurity professionals to look beyond their company roles and invest in something that gives back—whether through volunteering, speaking, or simply showing up. “It’s your career,” he says. “Take back control.”Facing Burnout and Legal Risk Head-OnThe group also addresses a growing issue: burnout. ISACA’s latest research shows 66% of cybersecurity professionals are feeling more burned out than last year. For CISOs in particular, that pressure is compounded by personal liability—as in the case of former SolarWinds CISO Tim Brown being sued by the SEC. Clyde warns that such actions have a chilling effect, discouraging internal risk discussions and openness.To counteract that, he emphasizes the need for continuous learning and peer support as a defense, not only against burnout, but also isolation and fear.The Silent Threat of QuantumWhile AI dominated RSAC’s headlines, Clyde raises a quieter but equally pressing concern: quantum computing. ISACA chose to focus its latest poll on this topic, revealing a significant gap between awareness and action. Despite widespread recognition that a breakthrough could “break the internet,” only 5% of respondents are taking proactive steps. Clyde sees this as a wake-up call. “The algorithms exist. Q Day is coming. We just don’t know when.”From mental health to quantum readiness, this conversation makes it clear: cybersecurity isn’t just a technology issue—it’s a people issue. Listen to the full episode to hear what else we’re missing.Learn more about ISACA: https://itspm.ag/isaca-96808⸻Guest: Rob Clyde, Board Director, Chair, Past Chair of the Board Directors at ISACA | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robclyde/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ISACA: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/isacaStay tuned for an upcoming ITSPmagazine Webinar with ISACA: https://www.itspmagazine.com/webinarsISACA Quantum Pulse Poll 2025 and related resources: https://www.isaca.org/quantum-pulse-pollISACA State of Cybersecurity 2024 survey report: https://www.isaca.org/resources/reports/state-of-cybersecurity-2024Learn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, marco ciappelli, rob clyde, rsac2025, burnout, quantum, cryptography, certification, isaca, cybersecurity, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this post-RSAC 2025 Brand Story, Marco Ciappelli catches up with Steve Schlarman, Senior Director of Product Management at Archer, to discuss the evolving intersection of GRC, AI, and business value. From regulatory overload to AI-enhanced policy generation, this conversation explores how meaningful innovation—grounded in real customer needs—is shaping the future of risk and compliance.Not All AI Is Created Equal: The Archer ApproachRSAC 2025 was buzzing with innovation, but for Steve Schlarman and the Archer team, it wasn’t about showing off shiny new toys—it was about proving that AI, when used with purpose and context, can truly enhance the risk and compliance function.Steve, Senior Director of Product Management at Archer, breaks down how Archer Evolve and the recent integration of Compliance.ai are helping organizations address regulatory change in a more holistic, automated, and scalable way. With silos still slowing down many companies, the need for tools that actually do something is more urgent than ever.From Policy Generation to Risk NarrativesOne of the most practical applications discussed? Using AI not just to detect risk, but to help write better risk statements, control documentation, and even policy language that actually communicates clearly. Steve explains how Archer is focused on closing the loop between data and business impact—translating technical risk outputs into narratives the business can actually act on.AI with a Human TouchAs Marco notes, AI in cybersecurity has moved from hype to hesitation to strategy. Steve is candid: some customers are still on the fence. But when AI is delivered in a contextual way, backed by customer-driven innovation, it becomes a bridge—not a wedge—between people and process. The key is not AI for the sake of AI, but for solving real, grounded problems.What’s Next in Risk? Better ConversationsLooking ahead, Schlarman sees a shift from “no, we can’t” to “yes, and here’s how.” With a better grasp on loss exposure and control costs, the business conversation is changing. AI-powered storytelling and smart interfaces might just help risk teams have their most effective conversations yet.From regulatory change to real-time translation of risk data, this is where tech meets trust.⸻Guest: Steve Schlarman, Senior Director, Product Management, Archert | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveschlarman/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Archer: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/archerLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:steve schlarman, marco ciappelli, rsac2025, archer evolve, compliance.ai, regulatory change, grc, risk management, ai storytelling, cybersecurity, compliance, brand story, rsa conference, cybersecurity strategy, risk communication, ai in compliance, automation, contextual ai, integrated risk management, business risk narrative, itspmagazine______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fred Wilmot, CEO and co-founder of Detecteam, and Sebastien Tricaud, CTO and co-founder, bring a candid and critical take on cybersecurity’s detection and response problem. Drawing on their collective experience—from roles at Splunk, Devo, and time spent in defense and offensive operations—they raise a core question: does any of the content, detections, or tooling security teams deploy actually work?The Detecteam founders challenge the industry’s obsession with metrics like mean time to detect or respond, pointing out that these often measure operational efficiency—not true risk readiness. Instead, they propose a shift in thinking: stop optimizing broken processes and start creating better ones.At the heart of their work is a new approach to detection engineering—one that continuously generates and validates detections based on actual behavior, environmental context, and adversary tactics. It’s about moving away from one-size-fits-all IOCs toward purpose-built, context-aware detections that evolve as threats do.Sebastien highlights the absurdity of relying on static, signature-based detection in a world of dynamic threats. Adversaries constantly change tactics, yet detection rules often sit unchanged for months. The platform they’ve built breaks detection down into a testable, iterative process—closing the gap between intel, engineering, and operations. Teams no longer need to rely on hope or external content packs—they can build, test, and validate detections in minutes.Fred explains the benefit in terms any CISO can understand: this isn’t just detection—it’s readiness. If a team can build a working detection in under 15 minutes, they beat the average breakout time of many attackers. That’s a tangible advantage, especially when operating with limited personnel.This conversation isn’t about a silver bullet or more noise—it’s about clarity. What’s working? What’s not? And how do you know? For organizations seeking real impact in their security operations—not just activity—this episode explores a path forward that’s faster, smarter, and grounded in reality.Learn more about Detecteam: https://itspm.ag/detecteam-21686Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guests: Fred Wilmot, Co-Founder & CEO, Detecteam | https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredwilmot/Sebastien Tricaud, Co-Founder & CTO, Detecteam | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricaud/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Detecteam: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/detecteamWebinar: Rethink, Don’t Just Optimize: A New Philosophy for Intelligent Detection and Response — An ITSPmagazine Webinar with Detecteam | https://www.crowdcast.io/c/rethink-dont-just-optimize-a-new-philosophy-for-intelligent-detection-and-response-an-itspmagazine-webinar-with-detecteam-314ca046e634Learn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, fred wilmot, sebastien tricaud, detecteam, detection, cybersecurity, behavior, automation, red team, blue team, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Subo Guha, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Stellar Cyber, shares how the company is reshaping cybersecurity operations for managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers. Stellar Cyber’s mission is to simplify security without compromising depth—making advanced cybersecurity capabilities accessible to organizations without enterprise-level resources.Subo walks through the foundations of their open XDR platform, which allows customers to retain the endpoint and network tools they already use—such as CrowdStrike or SentinelOne—without being locked into a single ecosystem. This flexibility proves especially valuable to MSSPs managing dozens or hundreds of customers with diverse toolsets, including those that have grown through acquisitions. The platform’s modular sensor technology supports IT, OT, and hybrid environments, offering deep packet inspection, network detection, and even user behavior analytics to flag potential lateral movement or anomalous activity.One of the most compelling updates from the conversation is the introduction of their autonomous SOC capability. Subo emphasizes this is not about replacing humans but amplifying their efforts. The platform groups alerts into actionable cases, reducing noise and allowing analysts to respond faster. Built-in machine learning and threat intelligence feeds enrich data as it enters the system, helping determine if something is benign or a real threat.The episode also highlights new program launches like Infinity, which enhances business development and peer collaboration for MSSP partners, and their Cybersecurity Alliance, which deepens integration across a wide variety of security tools. These efforts reflect Stellar Cyber’s strong commitment to ecosystem support and customer-centric growth.Subo closes by reinforcing the importance of scalability and affordability. Stellar Cyber offers a single platform with unified licensing to help MSSPs grow without adding complexity or cost. It’s a clear statement: powerful security doesn’t need to be out of reach for smaller teams or companies.This episode offers a practical view into what it takes to operationalize cybersecurity across diverse environments—and why automation with human collaboration is the path forward.Learn more about Stellar Cyber: https://itspm.ag/stellar-cyber--inc--357947Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Subo Guha, Senior Vice President Product, Stellar Cyber | https://www.linkedin.com/in/suboguha/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Stellar Cyber: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/stellarcyberLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, subo guha, xdr, mssp, cybersecurity, automation, soc, ai, ot, threat detection, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Organizations are demanding more from their IT management platforms—not just toolsets, but tailored systems that meet specific business and security objectives. Vivin Sathyan, Senior Technology Evangelist at ManageEngine, shares how the company is responding with an integrated approach that connects IT, security, and business outcomes.ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation, now offers a suite of over 60 products that span identity and access management, SIEM, endpoint protection, service management, and analytics. These components don’t just coexist—they interact contextually. Vivin outlines a real-world example from the healthcare sector, where a SIM tool detects abnormal login behavior, triggers an identity system to challenge access, and then logs the incident for IT service resolution. This integrated chain reflects a philosophy where response is not just fast, but connected and accountable.At the heart of the platform’s effectiveness is contextual intelligence—layered between artificial intelligence and business insights—to power decision-making that aligns with enterprise risk and compliance needs. Whether it’s SOC analysts triaging events, CIS admins handling system hygiene, or CISOs aligning actions with corporate goals, the tools are tailored to fit roles, not just generic functions. According to Vivin, this role-based approach is critical to eliminating silos and ensuring teams speak the same operational and risk language.AI continues to play a role in enhancing that coordination, but ManageEngine is cautious not to follow hype for its own sake. The company has invested in its own AI and ML capabilities since 2012, and recently launched an agent studio—but only after evaluating how new models can meaningfully add value. Vivin points out that enterprise use cases often benefit more from small, purpose-built language models than from massive general-purpose ones.Perhaps most compelling is ManageEngine’s global-first strategy. With operations in nearly 190 countries and 18+ of its own data centers, the company prioritizes proximity to customers—not just for technical support, but for cultural understanding and local compliance. That closeness informs both product design and customer trust, especially as regulations around data sovereignty intensify.This episode challenges listeners to consider whether their tools are merely present—or actually connected. Are you enabling collaboration through context, or just stitching systems together and calling it a platform?Learn more about ManageEngine: https://itspm.ag/manageen-631623Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Vivin Sathyan, Senior Technology Evangelist, ManageEngine | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivin-sathyan/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from ManageEngine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/manageengineLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, vivin sathyan, cybersecurity, ai, siem, identity, analytics, integration, platform, risk, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Charles Henderson, who leads the cybersecurity services division at Coalfire, shares how the company is reimagining offensive and defensive operations through a programmatic lens that prioritizes outcomes over checkboxes. His team, made up of practitioners with deep experience and creative drive, brings offensive testing and exposure management together with defensive services and managed offerings to address full-spectrum cybersecurity needs. The focus isn’t on commoditized services—it’s on what actually makes a difference.At the heart of the conversation is the idea that cybersecurity is a team sport. Henderson draws parallels between the improvisation of music and the tactics of both attackers and defenders. Both require rhythm, creativity, and cohesion. The myth of the lone hero doesn’t hold up anymore—effective cybersecurity programs are driven by collaboration across specialties and by combining services in ways that amplify their value.Coalfire’s evolution reflects this shift. It’s not just about running a penetration test or red team operation in isolation. It’s about integrating those efforts into a broader mission-focused program, tailored to real threats and measured against what matters most. Henderson emphasizes that CISOs are no longer content with piecemeal assessments; they’re seeking simplified, strategic programs with measurable outcomes.The conversation also touches on the importance of storytelling in cybersecurity reporting. Henderson underscores the need for findings to be communicated in ways that resonate with technical teams, security leaders, and the board. It’s about enabling CISOs to own the narrative, armed with context, clarity, and confidence.Henderson’s reflections on the early days of hacker culture—when gatherings like HoCon and early Def Cons were more about curiosity and camaraderie than business—bring a human dimension to the discussion. That same passion still fuels many practitioners today, and Coalfire is committed to nurturing it through talent development and internships, helping the next generation find their voice, their challenge, and yes, even their hacker handle.This episode offers a look at how to build programs, teams, and mindsets that are ready to lead—not follow—on the cybersecurity front.Learn more about Coalfire: https://itspm.ag/coalfire-yj4wNote: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Charles Henderson, Executive Vice President of Cyber Security Services, Coalfire | https://www.linkedin.com/in/angustx/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Coalfire: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/coalfireLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:charles henderson, sean martin, coalfire, red teaming, penetration testing, cybersecurity services, exposure management, ciso, threat intelligence, hacker culture, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kubernetes revolutionized the way software is built, deployed, and managed, offering engineers unprecedented agility and portability. But as Edera co-founder and CEO Emily Long shares, the speed and flexibility of containerization came with overlooked tradeoffs—especially in security. What started as a developer-driven movement to accelerate software delivery has now left security and infrastructure teams scrambling to contain risks that were never part of Kubernetes’ original design.Emily outlines a critical flaw: Kubernetes wasn’t built for multi-tenancy. As a result, shared kernels across workloads—whether across customers or internal environments—introduce lateral movement risks. In her words, “A container isn’t real—it’s just a set of processes.” And when containers share a kernel, a single exploit can become a system-wide threat.Edera addresses this gap by rethinking how containers are run—not rebuilt. Drawing from hypervisor tech like Xen and modernizing it with memory-safe Rust, Edera creates isolated “zones” for containers that enforce true separation without the overhead and complexity of traditional virtual machines. This isolation doesn’t disrupt developer workflows, integrates easily at the infrastructure layer, and doesn’t require retraining or restructuring CI/CD pipelines. It’s secure by design, without compromising performance or portability.The impact is significant. Infrastructure teams gain the ability to enforce security policies without sacrificing cost efficiency. Developers keep their flow. And security professionals get something rare in today’s ecosystem: true prevention. Instead of chasing billions of alerts and layering multiple observability tools in hopes of finding the needle in the haystack, teams using Edera can reduce the noise and gain context that actually matters.Emily also touches on the future—including the role of AI and “vibe coding,” and why true infrastructure-level security is essential as code generation becomes more automated and complex. With GPU security on their radar and a hardware-agnostic architecture, Edera is preparing not just for today’s container sprawl, but tomorrow’s AI-powered compute environments.This is more than a product pitch—it’s a reframing of how we define and implement security at the container level. The full conversation reveals what’s possible when performance, portability, and protection are no longer at odds.Learn more about Edera: https://itspm.ag/edera-434868Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Emily Long, Founder and CEO, Edera | https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-long-7a194b4/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Edera: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/ederaLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, emily long, containers, kubernetes, hypervisor, multi-tenancy, devsecops, infrastructure, virtualization, cybersecurity, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Sean Martin speaks with Richard Seiersen, Chief Risk Technology Officer at Qualys, about a new way to think about cybersecurity—one that puts value and business resilience at the center, not just threats.Richard shares the thinking behind Qualys’ Risk Operations Center, a new approach that responds directly to a common pain point: organizations struggling to manage vast amounts of telemetry from dozens of security tools without clear direction on how to act. Instead of forcing companies to build and maintain massive internal platforms just to piece together asset, vulnerability, and threat data, Qualys is creating a system to operationalize risk as a real-time, measurable business function.With a background that includes serving as Chief Risk Officer at a cyber insurance firm and co-authoring foundational books like How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk and The Metrics Manifesto, Richard frames the conversation in practical business terms. He emphasizes that success is not just about detecting threats, but about understanding where value exists in the business, and how to protect it efficiently.From Security Operations to Risk OperationsWhile a traditional SOC focuses on attack surface and compromise detection, the Risk Operations Center is designed to understand, prioritize, and mitigate value at risk. Richard describes how this involves normalizing data across environments, connecting asset identities—including ephemeral and composite digital assets—and aligning technical activity to business impact.The Risk Operations Center enables teams to think in terms of risk surface, not just threat surface, by giving security leaders visibility into what matters most—and the tools to act accordingly. And importantly, it does so without increasing headcount.A CISO’s Role in the Business of RiskRichard challenges security leaders to break away from purely tactical work and lean into business alignment. He argues that boards want CISOs who think strategically—who can talk about capital reserves, residual risk, and how mitigation and transfer can be measured against business outcomes. In his words, “A successful business is in the business of exposing more value to more people… security must understand and support that mission.”This episode is packed with ideas worth listening to and sharing. What would your version of a Risk Operations Center look like?Learn more about Qualys: https://itspm.ag/qualys-908446Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Rich Seiersen, Chief Risk Technology Officer, Qualys | https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardseiersen/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from Qualys: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/qualysLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, richard seiersen, risk, cybersecurity, data, resilience, telemetry, automation, ciso, soc, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this on-location conversation recorded during RSAC 2025, attorney, investor, and strategic advisor Yair Geva shares a global perspective shaped by years of legal counsel, venture investing, and deal-making across Israel, Europe, and the U.S. Geva offers unique insight into how cybersecurity, AI, and M&A are not only intersecting—but actively reshaping—the tech ecosystem.More than just a legal expert, Geva advises early-stage founders and institutional investors across markets, helping them navigate cultural, legal, and strategic gaps. With over 50 personal investments and a strong focus on cybersecurity in recent institutional activity, his perspective reflects where real momentum is building—and how smart capital is being deployed.AI Acceleration and M&A HesitationAccording to Geva, the accelerating capabilities of AI have created a strange paradox: in some sectors, VCs are hesitant to invest because the pace of change undermines long-term confidence. Yet in cybersecurity, AI is acting as a catalyst, not a caution. Cyber-AI combinations are among the few domains where deals are still moving quickly. He points to recent acquisitions—such as Palo Alto Networks’ move on Protect AI—as a sign that strategic consolidation is alive and well, even if overall deal volume remains lighter than expected.Cyber Due Diligence Is Now Table StakesAcross all industries, cybersecurity evaluations have become a non-negotiable part of M&A. Whether acquiring a fashion brand or a software firm, buyers now expect a clear security posture, detailed risk management plans, and full disclosure of any prior breaches. Geva notes that incident response experience, when managed professionally, can actually serve as a confidence builder in the eyes of strategic buyers.From Global Hubs to Human ConnectionsWhile San Francisco remains a major force, Geva sees increasing momentum in New York, London, and Tel Aviv. Yet across all markets, he emphasizes that human relationships—trust, cultural understanding, and cross-border collaboration—ultimately drive deal success more than any legal document or term sheet.With a front-row seat to innovation and a hand in building the bridges that power global tech growth, Yair Geva is helping define the next chapter of cybersecurity, AI, and strategic investment.Listen to the full conversation to hear what’s shaping the deals behind tomorrow’s cybersecurity innovations.Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.Guest: Yair Geva, Attorney and Investor | https://www.linkedin.com/in/yairgeva/ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25______________________Keywords:sean martin, marco ciappelli, yair geva, cybersecurity, investment, ai, m&a, venture, resilience, innovation, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast______________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrfWant Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.