Today, Steve is speaking about security leadership with executive coach and CEO and Founder of Serenity in Leadership Thom Dennis. Thom brings his expertise in psychology to bear in their discussion of the role of leaders in culture change, how to let go and trust your workforce, and practical tips for embracing the challenges leaders face day to day. Key Takeaways: 1. Fast-paced change and unease about people being away from work for extended periods of time are impacting leadership...

Today, Steve is speaking with Erik Avakian, who served as CISO for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States for more than twelve years before moving into the private sector, where he currently works as the technical counselor at Info-Tech Research Group. Erik brings his passion and experience to a lively conversation in which he and Steve discuss coping with change through multiple leadership turnovers, practical examples of how security leaders can demonstrate their department’s...

Today, Steve and producer Tavia Gilbert discuss the impact artificial intelligence is having on the threat landscape and how businesses can leverage this new technology and collaborate with it successfully. Key Takeaways: 1.  AI risk is best presented in business-friendly terms when seeking to engage executives at the board level. 2. Steve Durbin takes the position that AI will not replace leadership roles, as human strengths like emotional intelligence and complex decision making are still...

This is the second of a two-part conversation between Steve and Brian Lord, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Protection Group International. Prior to joining PGI, Brian served as the Deputy Director of a UK Government Agency governing the organization's Cyber and Intelligence Operations. Today, Steve and Brian discuss the proliferation of mis- and disinformation online, the potential security threats posed by AI, and the need for educating children in cyber awareness from a...

This episode is the first of two conversations between Steve and Brian Lord, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Protection Group International. Prior to joining PGI, Brian served as the Deputy Director of a UK Government Agency governing the organization's Cyber and Intelligence Operations. He brings his knowledge of both the public and private sector to bear in this wide-ranging conversation. Steve and Brian touch on the challenges small-midsize enterprises face in implementing...

Today, Steve is in conversation with AI expert Eric Siegel. A former professor at Columbia University, Eric is the founder of the long-running Machine Learning Week conference series and a bestselling author. His latest book, The AI Playbook, looks at how businesses outside Big Tech can leverage machine learning to grow. He and Steve discuss the differences between generative and predictive AI, the most effective ways to implement AI into an organization’s operations, and how we might expect...

Today, Steve is speaking with Mariarosaria Taddeo, Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies and Dslt Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. Mariarosaria brings her expertise as a philosopher to bear in this discussion of why and how we must develop agreed-upon ethical principles and governance for cyber warfare. Key Takeaways: 1. As cyber attacks increase, international humanitarian law and rules of war require a conceptual shift. 2. To maintain competitive advantage while...

A repeat of one of our top episodes from 2023: October is Cyber Awareness Month, and we’re marking the occasion with a series of three episodes featuring Steve in conversation with ISF’s Regional Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Dan Norman. Today, Steve and Dan discuss the importance of cyber resilience and how organisations can prepare for cyber attacks. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF...

Today’s episode was recorded at ISF’s 2023 Congress in Rotterdam. Steve sat down with Tali Sharot, professor of neuroscience at University College London, to talk about her fascinating research on optimism bias. Tali offers fresh, evidence-based ideas on effective communication for security leaders seeking to present their message to their board and raise cyber awareness within the organisation. Key Takeaways: 1. Innately, the brain is an optimist. 2. Implications for the business...

This week, we’ve got another fascinating conversation recorded at the 2023 ISF Congress in Rotterdam. This time, Steve speaks with generative AI expert Nina Schick. Nina and Steve discuss how AI, along with other technological trends that are evolving at exponential speed, are shaping both geopolitics and individual lives. Key Takeaways: 1. Generative AI is reshaping the geopolitical landscape. 2. Educating ourselves and others about the implications of quickly evolving tech in global...

This week, we have a rare repeat guest on the podcast. Listeners may remember innovator and thought leader Peter Hinssen from the 2019 ISF Congress in Dublin. We had him back this year at ISF’s 2023 Congress in Rotterdam. He and Steve had a chance to talk about the future of work post-pandemic. Their conversation offers lots of practical tips for leaders working to prevent workforce burnout and how boards can approach adopting new technologies like AI. Key Takeaways: 1. COVID has made...

Today,  Steve is in conversation with Christy Pretzinger, founder, president and CEO of WriterGirl. Over the past 20 years, Christy has grown the company from a modest freelance writing business into a healthcare content consultancy. She speaks with Steve about some of the practical tools she has implemented in order to grow the company’s culture, the role of leadership in training and retaining emotionally intelligent employees, and the impact her focus as a leader on the company’s cultural...

Today, Steve is speaking with American football coach Randy Jackson. During his 30-year tenure coaching high school football in Texas, Randy earned a reputation for transforming struggling programs. In 2022, in a move reminiscent of Ted Lasso, he moved to Germany to coach the Potsdam Royals, and with Jackson as the offensive coordinator, the Royals went all the way to the German Bowl. When he’s not coaching football, Randy is a business consultant. Today, he and Steve talk about how he...

Today's installment of the ISF Podcast revisits an earlier episode published February of 2023.  In this episode, ISF CEO Steve Durbin is speaking with author and former Chief Business Officer of Google X Mo Gawdat. Mo and Steve discuss the complicated relationship humans have with technology, particularly AI, and how both individuals and businesses can navigate that wisely. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the...

Steve is in conversation with quantum computing expert Konstantinos Karagiannis. Konstantinos is the Director of Quantum Computing Services at Protiviti, where he helps companies prepare for quantum opportunities and threats. He talks to Steve about how this nascent technology is already a security concern and what security leaders can do now to prevent problems down the road. He also offers ideas for overcoming the skills shortages that both the security and quantum computing fields...

Today’s episode is the second part of journalist Nick Witchell’s conversation with Steve at the 2023 ISF Congress in Rotterdam. As organisations become increasingly data-driven, technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing will have a huge impact on data security. Today, Steve looks at how security professionals can help their organisations adopt these technologies safely and smartly. Key Takeaways: 1. Trade policy is feeling the effects of geopolitical conflicts. 2....

Today’s episode is the first of two interviews with Steve Durbin in discussion with journalist Nick Witchell. Today they discuss cybersecurity in the current geopolitical moment. Steve looks at the current security landscape in that context, and touches on how security leaders can help guide their organisations in these turbulent times. Key Takeaways: 1. Boards and CISOs need to be ready to step in with the necessary mitigation measures when increased cyber risks manifest themselves and when...

At the 2023 ISF Congress in Rotterdam, Steve sits down with keynote speaker Beau Lotto. Beau holds his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Developmental Neuroscience, and he teaches organizations how to apply scientific truths about perception to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. He has helped brands like Cirque du Soleil, Microsoft and L’oreal gain valuable, science-backed insights into their businesses and customers. Beau talks to Steve about how security leaders can change their way of...

Today, we’re previewing some of the best moments from the episodes you’ll be hearing from the podcast this season. Most of these were recorded at ISF Congress 2023 in Rotterdam this past October, with a few others in the mix. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority on cyber,...

Today’s episode features Steve’s recent presentation to ISF members on Emerging Threats for next year. He offers a picture of the evolution of cyber, and the resulting challenges and opportunities for security professionals, in 2024. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter From the Information Security Forum, the leading authority...

Today’s episode features an interview Steve gave for Infosys, the Indian multinational IT consulting firm. Steve addresses how organisations can adopt AI securely, considers how this new technology could change the way we work, and looks at how businesses can make themselves resilient in the face of emerging threats. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast Read the transcript of this episode Subscribe to the ISF Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts Connect with us...

ISF CEO Steve Durbin and producer Tavia Gilbert discuss Artificial Intelligence and the Board — what they need to know, updates on evolving regulations in the EU and the US, and how security professionals can best communicate with organisational leadership on this topic. Mentioned in this episode: ISF Analyst Insight Podcast European Union AI Act President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence Read the transcript...

In this episode, Steve speaks with Dragos Tudorache, one of the members of the European Parliament who is responsible for writing the EU’s AI Act. Dragos explains the thought process that went into developing the new law and tells Steve what organisations can expect and how they can prepare for its implementation. Mentioned in and related to this episode: ISF Podcast: Ellie Pavlick - Balancing the Risk and Reward of AI ISF Podcast: The Ethical Dilemma of AI & Innovation ISF Podcast:...

In this episode, Steve speaks with Clinton Mixon, Information Security Lead at The New School, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Center for Global Affairs at New York University. Clinton has been a leader in cyber for more than 30 years. He was one of the founders of the Air Force Cyber College, where members of the US Air Force train in cybersecurity, and he also has been responsible for running training exercises for the New York City government. Clinton and Steve talk about his work...