Security Unfiltered
The Role of Lawyers in Cybersecurity Aren't What You Think — Here's Why It Matters
Feb 03, 2026
Episode 221
Joe South
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Most cybersecurity talks focus on technical solutions, but this episode reveals a game-changing perspective: building trust is at the core of cybersecurity success. Danielle Sheer, Chief Trust Officer at Commvault, shares how her legal background and emotional connection strategies transform organizations’ approach to security—making cybersecurity relatable, manageable, and resilient.
You'll discover:
The surprising skills lawyers develop that elevate cybersecurity leadership—like seeing multiple sides of a problem and translating complex threats into business language.
How trust, not just technology, is the secret to effective security—why relationships matter more than firewalls alone.
Practical insights on handling breaches, from crisis communication to resilience strategies that go beyond spending more.
The role of AI in expanding the threat landscape, and why understanding and simplifying cybersecurity is crucial as attacks get more advanced.
Why the future of cybersecurity hinges on your ability to foster trust, build internal alignment, and communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams.
If you're a security professional, a leader trying to bridge the tech-human gap, or anyone interested in how trust can be your greatest shield—this episode is your must-listen. Danielle Sheer’s unique journey from law to security offers lessons on leadership, relationship-building, and proactive resilience that could redefine how your organization defends itself in a digital age.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Danielle Sheer and her career journey
02:07 - From law to leadership: Building emotional connections and trust
04:28 - Defining the Chief Trust Officer role and its organizational value
05:59 - Skills gained in law school that translate across industries
08:38 - The importance of perspective-taking and storytelling in cybersecurity
09:34 - Strategies for communicating cybersecurity issues effectively to non-technical stakeholders
11:53 - Managing internal security processes and building trust through transparency
13:12 - The anatomy of breaches and translating between technical and business language
15:24 - The importance of resilience, employee education, and business continuity plans
17:00 - Conducting effective tabletop exercises and lessons from breach simulations
20:36 - Ransomware payments and industry responses to emerging threats
22:29 - How AI is transforming cybersecurity: skill gaps and threat detection challenges
26:13 - State-sponsored attacks, malware timelines, and geopolitical cybersecurity concerns
28:37 - The need for global cooperation and continuous vigilance in cybersecurity
30:27 - Final thoughts: connecting organizations and sharing resources
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