CISO Series Podcast

David Spark, Mike Johnson, and Andy Ellis

Discussions, tips, and debates from security practitioners and vendors on how to work better together to improve security for themselves and everyone else.

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20 episodes
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Avg 41 min
English

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Yesterday · 44 min
Data Is the New Oil, in That It's Useless Until You Refine It
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining us is Jake Lorz, vp information technology and CISO, Cintas. In this episode: Security's identity crisis The AI that never has a bad day Your permissions have secrets Nobody wrote it down A huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker An AI-generated attack may be new, but it still needs to execute, access data, and move through your environment. ThreatLocker applies enforceable controls at each of those points, limiting what attackers can do regardless of how their code was created. Book a demo at threatlocker.com/ciso.
September 29 · 42 min
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who Has the Best Infrastructure of Them All?
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Geoff Belknap. Joining us is our sponsored guest Ryan Lloyd, chief product officer, GuardSquare. In this episode: Determinism was never the point Every MCP server is an uncontracted vendor Mobile security, the version everyone's tired of hearing Architectural vanity A huge thanks to our sponsor, Guardsquare Guardsquare delivers mobile app security without compromise, providing advanced protections for both Android and iOS apps. From app security testing to code hardening to real-time visibility into the threat landscape, Guardsquare solutions provide enhanced mobile application security from early in the development process through publication. Learn more about how to protect your app at Guardsquare.com.
September 22 · 46 min
Our AI Agents Are So Safe and Reliable You Can't Buy Insurance for Them
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining us is Aaron Stanley, former vp of security, DBT Labs. In this episode: Saying no just hides the agent Communication is not a side project Even OpenAI can't buy enough coverage Identity governance beats the illusion of control A huge thanks to our sponsor, Arctic Wolf Security leaders need to reduce complexity, strengthen resilience, and prove value. Arctic Wolf's Security Operations ROI Calculator helps estimate operational value, potential risk exposure reduction, and projected payback based on your environment. See what a modern, AI-powered security operations model could mean for your business at arcticwolf.com/CISO today, right now.
September 21 · 21 min
BONUS EPISODE: Super Cyber Friday Express - Hacking Vendor Selection
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This is a bonus episode of our brand new podcast, Super Cyber Friday Express — a 20-minute highlight version of our live one-hour show we do every available Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern. In this episode, David Spark is joined by Karl Mattson, founder and managing director of Squared Circle Ventures, and Howard Holton, founder and principal analyst at Phronia Counsel LLC, to discuss how your existing environment shapes what you buy next — and whether that's a strategy or just inertia. Watch the full one-hour show at Crowdcast. Subscribe to Super Cyber Friday Express, or any show on CISO Series, at CISOseries.com/subscribe.
September 15 · 43 min
We Strongly Value Your Willingness to Accept Less
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining us is Gina Ciavarro, former managing director of infrastructure and CISO at Accordion. In this episode: Patching won't evict a squatter Boards accept risk by saying nothing Fast enough to hide the damage Job posting for a unicorn A huge thanks to our sponsor, Arctic Wolf Security leaders need to reduce complexity, strengthen resilience, and prove value. Arctic Wolf's Security Operations ROI Calculator helps estimate operational value, potential risk exposure reduction, and projected payback based on your environment. See what a modern, AI-powered security operations model could mean for your business at arcticwolf.com/CISO today, right now.
September 8 · 41 min
Backlogs? Where We're Going We Don't Need Backlogs.
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Steve Zalewski. Joining us is Varsha Agrawal, head of information security, Prosper Marketplace. In this episode: Lock-in was never about the tech The board wants a green light, not a lesson Time was never the constraint What founders keep getting wrong about security A huge thanks to our sponsor, Vanta No, it's not your imagination. Risk and regulations ARE ramping up—and customers now expect proof of security just to do business. That's why Vanta is a game-changer. Vanta automates your compliance process and brings compliance, risk, and customer trust together on one AI-powered platform. So whether you're prepping for a SOC 2 or running an enterprise GRC program, Vanta keeps you secure—and keeps your deals moving. Companies like Ramp and Writer spend 82% less time on audits with Vanta. That's not just faster compliance—it's more time for growth. Get started at Vanta.com/CISO.
September 1 · 37 min
When Frameworks Stop Being Polite and Start Getting Real
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Will Gregorian, CISO, Galileo Medical. Joining us is Ryan Brown, director and head of cybersecurity operations, Children's National Hospital. In this episode: Policy is easy. The exam room isn't. Robotics, Asimov, and the gap before regulation The token bill nobody can explain The 3 AM call is a warning sign A huge thanks to our sponsor, Guardsquare Guardsquare delivers mobile app security without compromise, providing advanced protections for both Android and iOS apps. From app security testing to code hardening to real-time visibility into the threat landscape, Guardsquare solutions provide enhanced mobile application security from early in the development process through publication. Learn more about how to protect your app at Guardsquare.com/CISO.
August 25 · 39 min
"Ignorance Is Bliss" Is Our Acceptable Use Policy
http://www.Threatlocker.com/cisoAll links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Edward Contreras, senior evp and CISO, Frost Bank. Joining is sponsored guest Rob Allen, chief product officer, ThreatLocker. In this episode: Not my job, still my problem The tools people actually use Mac, Windows, and the debate that won't quit Hiring for imagination, not acronyms A huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker delivers Zero Trust Network Access and Zero Trust Cloud Access that verifies both user and device before granting access to specific applications. No broad access, nothing exposed, and no reliance on credentials alone. It's a smarter way to control access and reduce risk. Learn more at ThreatLocker.com/CISO.
August 18 · 37 min
Secure by Design. Ignored by Default.
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is Julie Davila, president, Security Tinkerers. In this episode: Two paths, one dead end One size fits nobody Own it or orphan it The agent you should worry about A huge thanks to our sponsor, Guardsquare Guardsquare delivers mobile app security without compromise, providing advanced protections for both Android and iOS apps. From app security testing to code hardening to real-time visibility into the threat landscape, Guardsquare solutions provide enhanced mobile application security from early in the development process through publication. Learn more about how to protect your app at Guardsquare.com/CISO.
August 11 · 41 min
Why Solve Your Problems When We Can Just Scare You?
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is Nada Noaman, SVP and CISO, Estee Lauder Companies. In this episode: Skipping the apprenticeship Privileged users nobody manages like one Findings without the authority to fix them Security was always behavioral A huge thanks to our sponsor, Native The Cloud Security Control Plane. Native helps enterprises turn built-in cloud security controls into active, operational defenses across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and OCI, so teams can enforce secure-by-design architecture at the source, preview impact before rollout, and keep guardrails aligned as cloud environments change. Learn more at native.security.
August 4 · 43 min
See, Our Compliance Framework Includes a Checkbox for Resilience
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining us is our sponsored guest, Khush Kashyap, senior director of GRC at Vanta. In this episode: Running up the token meter Some risks resist a price tag Resilience isn't a vacation policy Compliance is the wrong finish line A huge thanks to our sponsor, Vanta Still stuck on the quarterly audit treadmill? Meet Calm-pliance. Vanta combines compliance, risk, and proof on one Agentic Trust Platform—and continuously monitors your controls, keeping you audit-ready all year round. Find your Calm-pliance here.
July 28 · 48 min
Why Don't You Tell Me Which Metrics Sound Most Impressive?
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is Pavi Ramamurthy, Global CISO and CIO, Blackhawk Network. In this episode: Numbers that make the board feel good and nothing else The audit is not the same thing as the truth Receipts aren't a strategy Stop blaming the human, fix the system they're standing in A huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker delivers Zero Trust Network Access and Zero Trust Cloud Access that verifies both user and device before granting access to specific applications. No broad access, nothing exposed, and no reliance on credentials alone. It's a smarter way to control access and reduce risk. Learn more at ThreatLocker.com/CISO.
July 21 · 47 min
With AI, I Can Now Be Pulled in 5x More Directions at Once!
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series, and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is our sponsored guest, Brian Long, CEO, Adaptive Security. In this episode: Nobody clocks out anymore The rules nobody wrote down are the ones that count AI doesn't drain your empathy, it just shows your hand Loyalty runs both directions, even out the door A huge thanks to our sponsor, Adaptive Security Adaptive Security helps organizations stay ahead of AI-powered social engineering, including deepfake phishing, vishing, and multi-channel attacks. With simulations and personalized training, teams learn to recognize and respond to modern threats before they cause harm. Turn human risk into resilience with security awareness built for the AI era. Learn more at adaptivesecurity.com.
July 14 · 43 min
The Only Thing Worse Than Technical Debt is Newly Discovered Technical Debt
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series, and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining them is Tim Callahan, CIO/CISO, AFLAC. In this episode: Week one is the wrong time to overreach Nobody has the AI playbook Vulnerability management wasn't built for this clock Stop blaming the human, fix the system A huge thanks to our sponsor, Vanta No, it's not your imagination. Risk and regulations ARE ramping up—and customers now expect proof of security just to do business. That's why Vanta is a game-changer. Vanta automates your compliance process and brings compliance, risk, and customer trust together on one AI-powered platform. So whether you're prepping for a SOC 2 or running an enterprise GRC program, Vanta keeps you secure—and keeps your deals moving. Companies like Ramp and Writer spend 82% less time on audits with Vanta. That's not just faster compliance—it's more time for growth. Get started at Vanta.com/CISO.
July 7 · 37 min
What Part of Zero Trust Does Your Exception Not Understand?
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series, and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is Patti Degnan, operating partner, Andreessen Horowitz. In this episode: Identity built for one person at a time Patching can't outrun the exploit timeline The exception hiding inside zero trust A revenue question nobody's answered yet A huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker delivers Zero Trust Network Access and Zero Trust Cloud Access that verifies both user and device before granting access to specific applications. No broad access, nothing exposed, and no reliance on credentials alone. It's a smarter way to control access and reduce risk. Learn more at ThreatLocker.com/CISO.
June 30 · 42 min
These Aren't Speed Bumps, They're Opportunity Ramps! (LIVE in NYC)
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Nick Vigier, CISO, Oscar Health. Joining is our sponsored guest, Mitchem Boles, field CTO, Intezer. This episode was recorded live at Intezer's AI SOC event held at the NASDAQ in NYC. In this episode: Who owns the risk Before it gets better The SOC of zero The decision bottleneck A huge thanks to our sponsor, Intezer Intezer Forensic AI SOC is designed for enterprises managing high alert volumes across SIEM, EDR Network, identity, phishing, and cloud systems. These organizations often rely on MDRs to fill coverage gaps but face frustration with limited visibility, too many escalations, and missed incidents hiding in low-severity alerts. Learn more at Intezer.com.
June 23 · 40 min
It's Not That We Don't Value Your Experience, We Just Don't Want to Pay for It
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is Megan Samford, vp product and supply chain security, Schneider Electric. In this episode: Two modes of CISO The vendor has the keys The economic argument for secure code Burning through the talent A huge thanks to our sponsor, Native Security Native makes secure-by-design inherent to how the cloud operates. It's the control plane for built-in cloud security, unifying and governing native controls, so security intent is defined once and applied consistently across providers. Learn more at native.security.
June 16 · 48 min
Boards Love to Hear Jargon," Says Soon-to-Be-Fired CISO (LIVE in Boston)
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by me, David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining us is Dmitriy Sokolovskiy, senior vice president, information security, Semrush. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the offices of Aqueduct Technologies in Canton, MA. See photos from the event. In this episode: A clock on everything The oversight loop Not a better tool, a different one It's not the alerts A huge thanks to our sponsor, Strike48 It's no secret that AI is only as good as the data available to it. Strike48 unifies agentic AI with unmatched log visibility while avoiding the typical hefty price tag. Build and deploy agents for phishing detection, alert triage, threat correlation and more. Queries existing logs where they currently live, so you can keep the technology you already have. Learn more at Strike48.com. A huge thanks to our sponsor, Dropzone AI Dropzone AI delivers a team of AI agents that investigate alerts, hunt threats, and respond to attacks across your full security stack. No playbooks required. No hidden humans in the critical path. Your analysts stay in control, directing strategy while AI agents handle the investigation workload at machine speed. Learn more at dropzone.ai.
June 9 · 44 min
There's Nothing an LLM Can Screw Up That the Cloud Didn't Do First
All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series and Andy Ellis, principal of Duha. Joining is our sponsored guest, Danny Jenkins, CEO, ThreatLocker. In this episode: Permission creep at machine speed The pattern we keep calling a mistake Stop authenticating the human Vibe coded out of existence A huge thanks to our sponsor, ThreatLocker ThreatLocker delivers Zero Trust Network Access and Zero Trust Cloud Access that verifies both user and device before granting access to specific applications. No broad access, nothing exposed, and no reliance on credentials alone. It's a smarter way to control access and reduce risk. Learn more at ThreatLocker.com/CISO.
June 2 · 37 min
Our Data Security Policy Is Transparent in That It Doesn't Exist
Our Data Security Policy Is Transparent in That It Doesn't Exist All links and images can be found on CISO Series This week's episode is hosted by David Spark, producer of CISO Series, and Mike Johnson, CISO, Rivian. Joining is Mike Melo, CISO, TMX Group. In this episode: The weight of old controls Data you can actually see 68 vendors and counting Authority you never had to claim A huge thanks to our sponsor, Vanta Still stuck on the quarterly audit treadmill? Meet Calm-pliance. Vanta combines compliance, risk, and proof on one Agentic Trust Platform—and continuously monitors your controls, keeping you audit-ready all year round. Find your Calm-pliance here.

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