Office of The CISO

by Michael Pruett

Office of The CISO is a podcast featuring 2 Chief Information Security Officers (plus guests) discussing and providing opinions / guidance on the latest cybersecurity news, information security processes, and more.

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Cybersecurity Burnout Causes and Remedies

    Cybersecurity Burnout Causes and Remedies

    There are several reasons why cybersecurity teams may be overworked: Growing cybersecurity threats: With the increasing number of cybersecurity threats and attacks, cybersecurity teams are under constant pressure to stay vigilant and respond quickly to protect their organization's data and systems. Lack of skilled professionals: There is a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in the industry, which means that the workload falls on a limited number of experienced individuals. Constantly evolving technology: As technology continues to evolve, so do the methods and tactics of cyber attackers. This requires cybersecurity teams to keep up with the latest threats and security measures, which can be time-consuming and demanding. Complexity of systems and networks: Many organizations have complex systems and networks that require specialized knowledge and skills to secure. This complexity can lead to longer hours and increased workloads for cybersecurity professionals. Compliance and regulatory requirements: Many industries have compliance and regulatory requirements that mandate certain levels of cybersecurity, which can add to the workload of cybersecurity teams who are responsible for meeting these requirements. Overall, the combination of these factors can create a high-pressure environment for cybersecurity teams, leading to overwork and burnout. It is important for organizations to recognize this and take steps to support their cybersecurity teams, such as investing in automation and other tools to streamline processes and alleviate workload, as well as providing adequate resources and support for employee well-being. There are several strategies that cybersecurity teams can use to counter the issues that lead to overwork and burnout: Prioritize tasks: Prioritizing tasks based on their level of importance and urgency can help cybersecurity teams manage their workload effectively. This allows them to focus on the most critical tasks first and ensure that they are addressing the most pressing security issues. Automation and technology: Investing in automation and technology can help reduce the workload for cybersecurity teams by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more complex and critical tasks. This includes using tools for threat detection, incident response, and security monitoring. Continuous training and development: Cybersecurity threats and technology are constantly evolving, so it is important for cybersecurity teams to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. Continuous training and development can help improve skills and knowledge, making it easier to stay on top of emerging threats and technologies. Collaboration and communication: Cybersecurity teams should collaborate and communicate regularly with other teams within the organization, including IT, legal, and compliance. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to security issues and that resources are being used effectively. Employee well-being: Burnout and overwork can be addressed by promoting employee well-being. This includes encouraging breaks, time off, and healthy work habits. Additionally, providing resources for mental health and wellness can help support the overall well-being of the cybersecurity team. By implementing these strategies, cybersecurity teams can improve their workload management, reduce burnout and fatigue, and ensure that they are effectively addressing security threats and protecting the organization's data and systems.

  • What Goes Into Running a Security Team?

    What Goes Into Running a Security Team?

    Running an information security team involves several key elements, including: Planning: Before setting up an information security team, it's essential to define the scope of its responsibilities, the team's goals and objectives, and the resources it needs to accomplish its mission. Team Composition: The team composition may vary depending on the organization's size and complexity. The team typically consists of information security analysts, engineers, and managers. Policies and Procedures: Developing and implementing policies and procedures are essential to ensure that the team operates efficiently and effectively. These policies should cover security incident response, security training and awareness, risk assessment and management, and access controls. Tools and Technologies: The team needs various tools and technologies to monitor and secure the organization's systems, networks, and data. These tools can include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, antivirus software, and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions. Risk Management: The team should conduct regular risk assessments to identify and prioritize security threats and vulnerabilities. Based on these assessments, the team should develop strategies to mitigate these risks and establish risk management plans. Training and Awareness: The team should provide training and awareness programs to educate employees on information security policies and procedures. This education can help reduce the risk of human error, such as clicking on phishing links or falling for social engineering scams. Incident Response: The team should have a robust incident response plan in place to respond to security incidents promptly. This plan should include procedures for identifying, containing, and resolving security incidents. Continuous Improvement: Running an information security team is an ongoing process. The team should continually evaluate its policies, procedures, and tools to identify areas for improvement and ensure that it keeps pace with emerging threats and technologies. In summary, running an information security team requires careful planning, policies and procedures, the right tools and technologies, effective risk management, and ongoing training and improvement.

  • Nation States, Mandiant, Ransomware

    Nation States, Mandiant, Ransomware

    In today's episode we discuss nation state threat actors, misc legislation that may put you at risk if you pay the ransom, ransomware in general, and some funny thoughts that cross our minds about all of these things! Get Consulting: http://bit.ly/3R04Lsr OCISO Social Media Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3iuSwYa Twitter: http://bit.ly/3EUkDIG LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3GIDQOY Website: http://bit.ly/3gwN6uO Facebook: http://bit.ly/3i9Wzsn Sponsorship Request: If you are interested in Sponsoring Office of The CISO Videos Please Email sponsors@officeoftheciso.com Topics Discussed: Ransomware Mandiant Adware Ransomware, North Korea Legislation Cybersecurity Information Security Hackers Cyber Criminals

  • Security Frameworks

    Security Frameworks

    You aren't really a security professional (or you aren't a mature one at least) until you have dove head first into some security frameworks and learned their ins and outs. The GRC side of the CISO organization is a tough one because the documentation is rough, hard to read, for a lot of people the understanding of it is quite difficult, and then you have to figure out how to structure it in a manner where you can apply it across your organization. In today's episode we discuss security frameworks and what we feel are the pros and cons of each. Get Consulting: http://bit.ly/3R04Lsr OCISO Social Media Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3iuSwYa Twitter: http://bit.ly/3EUkDIG LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3GIDQOY Website: http://bit.ly/3gwN6uO Facebook: http://bit.ly/3i9Wzsn Sponsorship Request: If you are interested in Sponsoring Office of The CISO Videos Please Email sponsors@officeoftheciso.com Topics Discussed: Cybersecurity Framework NIST 800-53 SOC Type 2 NIST 800-37 NIST 800-39 NIST 7621 HIPAA The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Information Security Cybersecurity

  • Who Should A CISO Report To?

    Who Should A CISO Report To?

    A Chief Information Security Officer can be a polarizing role. There are a lot of opinions on who that person should report to. In today's episode we discuss the pros and cons of having a CISO report to a CEO, Board of Directors, CIO, CFO, and more! Get Consulting: http://bit.ly/3R04Lsr OCISO Social Media Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3iuSwYa Twitter: http://bit.ly/3EUkDIG LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3GIDQOY Website: http://bit.ly/3gwN6uO Facebook: http://bit.ly/3i9Wzsn Sponsorship Request: If you are interested in Sponsoring Office of The CISO Videos Please Email sponsors@officeoftheciso.com Topics Discussed: CISO Chief Information Security Officer Who should they report to