Root To CISO
Do you aspire to become a Chief Information Security Officer?
The Root to CISO podcast provides firsthand career stories from experienced CISOs on their journey to success in the cybersecurity industry. Offering valuable guidance for aspiring professionals in the field through personal experiences and practical advice.
Episodes
64 episodes
How CISOs Create Real Business Value | With CISO Nick Bruno | Root To CISO Podcast
In this bite-size episode of The Root To CISO Podcast, Kris Rides sits down with Nick Bruno to explore how cybersecurity leaders can create meaningful business impact. The conversation focuses on aligning security initiatives with executive pri...
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15:24
Building Your Cybersecurity Network | With Greg Rogers | Root to CISO Podcast
In this bite-size episode of The Root To CISO Podcast, Kris Rides and Greg Rogers dive into how cybersecurity professionals can get real value from conferences. The conversation focuses entirely on conferences, from starting with local meetups ...
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18:51
The Mindset That Accelerates a Cybersecurity Career | Root To CISO Podcast
In this Byte-Size episode of Root To CISO, Kris Rides chats with Nick Demeo from the InfoSec World expo floor about making intentional cybersecurity career moves. They explore why mindset, EQ, and situational awareness often matter more than te...
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13:50
Happy New Year! A Message of Thanks and Remembrance | Root To CISO Podcast
This short message is a pause from our regular programming to reflect, remember, and give thanks. In this episode, Kris shares appreciation for the Root To CISO community and honors members of the cybersecurity industry we’ve recently lost. We’...
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2:49
Cyber Careers Today: AI, Burnout & What Comes Next | Root To CISO Podcast
Recorded live from InfoSec World in Orlando, this Root To CISO Byte-Size episode features a candid conversation between Kris Rides and Michael Powell on the realities facing today’s cybersecurity professionals. From rapid AI adoption and shadow...
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13:08
Root to CISO: Rural Risk, AI Skills & Community Defense | Root To CISO Podcast
In this byte-size episode, Kris Rides sits down with longtime friend John Yeoh, Chief Scientific Officer at the Cloud Security Alliance, immediately following their keynote at the North Central Washington Cybersecurity Summit. Together, they ex...
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17:59
Managing Stress In Cybersecurity | With Anil Karmel | Root To CISO Podcast
In this Byte Size episode, Kris sits down with cybersecurity entrepreneur Anil Karmel to unpack one of the most asked-about topics in the industry: how to manage stress and pressure in high-stakes environments. Recorded live at the North Centra...
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11:51
AI in Cybersecurity: Opportunities and What to Know | Root To CISO Podcast
In this Byte-Size Episode, Kris Rides chats with cybersecurity leader Jenai Marinkovic, President & Co-Founder of GRCIE, during the North Central Washington Cybersecurity Summit. Together, they explore how AI is transforming every layer of ...
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13:03
Own the Losses, Share the Wins | Cybersecurity Career Advice | Root to CISO Podcast
In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides speaks with Amanda Hartle, CSO and CIO at Prove Identity, about one of the most important leadership lessons she’s learned — and the advice she wishes she could give her younger s...
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3:20
Building Trust and Balance in Cybersecurity Leadership | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides sits down with Andrew Wilder, cybersecurity leader and former CISO at Nestlé, to discuss how he made the leap from enterprise security to his first CISO role. Andrew shares how moving...
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6:38
You Don’t Need 10 Certifications to Get Hired in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast
CISO Barbee Mooneyhan joins The Root to CISO Podcast to discuss what truly matters when building a cybersecurity career — and it’s not just degrees or certifications. Barbee explains why hands-on experience, community involvement, ...
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6:08
Cybersecurity: Soft Skills for Success | Root To CISO Podcast
In this highlight clip, CISO Don Baham shares why soft skills are just as critical as technical expertise in cybersecurity hiring. From problem-solving and emotional intelligence to learning how to “figure things out,” Don explains what truly m...
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4:33
Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Skills and Certs That Get You Hired | Root To CISO Podcast
In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, Global CISO of Carnival Cruises, Margarita Rivera, shares how she transitioned into cybersecurity without a technical background — and how transferable skills, a strong business mindset, and cont...
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5:32
Career Growth in Cybersecurity | CISO Wisdom from Lori Anello | Root To CISO Podcast
In this Root to CISO highlight, Lori Anello shares the advice she wishes she could give her younger self: don’t let fear hold you back. From taking risks to embracing opportunities, Lori explains why careers in cybersecurity are never a straigh...
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4:15
What Makes a Successful Cybersecurity Leader? More Than You Think | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard, we dive into the lessons she’s learned leading across industries — from healthcare and technology to financial services. Dr. Jay shar...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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37:26
From Public Service to Global Security: A CISO’s Journey | Root to CISO Podcast
In the Season 2 finale of Root to CISO, we sit down with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard and former Deputy CIO of the White House under President Obama. Her path to cybersecurity was anything but tradi...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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34:31
Resumes, Interviews, and Resilience: Career Lessons from a CISO | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part Two of our conversation with Barbee Mooneyhan, CISO at Uplight, we dive into one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity—and beyond: breaking into the industry and advancing your career. Barbee shares practical advice on how to...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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45:58
Finding Your Path in Cybersecurity with Barbee Mooneyhan | Root To CISO Podcast
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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38:10
Navigating the Cybersecurity World with CISO Don Baham | Root To CISO Podcast
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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45:07
Cybersecurity Careers: Building Leadership and Credibility | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of Root to CISO, we sit down with Don Baham, President of Kraft Technology Group and a seasoned security leader, for an open and insightful conversation about the road to executive leadership. Don shares his approach to building...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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38:04
Leading with Accountability and Authenticity in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of Root to CISO, Amanda Hartle, Chief Information Security Officer, reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her career—from early ambitions to executive decision-making. She shares the pivotal advice she’d give her younge...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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56:26
How to Grow In Cybersecurity By Asking the Right Questions | Amanda Hartle | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Amanda Fennell (Hartle)—Chief Security Officer and CIO at Prove Identity—shares her journey from digital forensics to leading enterprise security and technology strategy. Amanda discusses the pivotal...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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47:15
Discovering Cybersecurity and Owning It: With CISO Melina Scotto | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity and how she transformed early career uncertainty into executive leadership. From discovering cybersecurity later in life to leading lar...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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37:57
The Realities of Building a Career in Cybersecurity with Melina Scotto | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her powerful story of breaking into cybersecurity, growing her career through persistence, and eventually becoming a CISO. From her early days as a network engineer to navigating...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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34:18