Opening Opportunities: Lowering Barriers to Entry Into Cybersecurity

Robyn Frye, Vice President at Workday join’s Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Robin has spent the last 20 years working in security and compliance consulting and is currently the Vice President of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Workday. Robyn shares her background, growing up in Silicon Valley and her journey into cybersecurity. The conversation touches on the significance of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth, with Robyn providing practical advice on how individuals can seek out mentors and sponsors to support their professional development. Ann and Robyn provide insights into the current landscape of cybersecurity and offer actionable strategies for promoting diversity, inclusion, and talent development within organizations.    Resources:  View Robyn Frye on LinkedIn      View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Geoff Belknap, Chief Information Security Officer and Vice President of Engineering at LinkedIn join’s Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Before his tenure at LinkedIn, Jeff was instrumental in fortifying the defenses at Slack, ensuring that both physical and digital assets remained impervious to malicious intent. With a track record of leadership roles in various technology firms, he's been at the forefront of shaping industry standards and best practices. Ann and Geoff discuss the intersection of AI and cybersecurity talent, highlighting its potential impact on the industry, the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in high-stress roles like cybersecurity, and how diverse perspectives are essential for building robust security programs.  Resources:  View Geoff Belknap on LinkedIn     View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn   Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Jason Healey, founding scholar and director for cyber efforts at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs join’s Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Jason is a seasoned speaker, analyst, and author, boasting extensive expertise in cybersecurity and risk management across diverse sectors including think tanks, finance, the White House, military, intelligence, and academia. Jason highlights the importance of frameworks for understanding complex issues like AI's role in cybersecurity and shares his reasons for optimism in the field, such as advancements in secure design and the potential benefits of cloud technology. Jason and Ann also discuss the evolution of cybersecurity, the role of diplomacy in addressing cyber threats, and the importance of building alliances in defending against cyber-attacks.    Resources:  View Jason Healey on LinkedIn    View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn   Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Podcaster, writer, and information security consultant Carole Theriault, along with award-winning cybersecurity public speaker, podcaster, blogger, and analyst Graham Cluley, join Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Graham and Carole are hosts of the Smashing Security podcast, which offers a helpful and hilarious take on tech SNAFUs, chat about cybercrime, hacking, online privacy, and more. Carole, Graham, and Ann discuss the story behind how the podcast came to be, cybersecurity trends they are currently tracking, and how individuals and business leaders can better protect digital systems.    Resources:  View Carole Theriault on LinkedIn   View Graham Cluley on LinkedIn   View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Keren Elazari, internationally recognized security analyst, researcher, author, and speaker, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Keren writes about emerging cyber security issues and is a frequent commentator on national & international broadcast media and the press. Her TED talk has helped shape the global conversation about hackers and their growing role in our digital society and has been viewed by millions around the world. Ann and Keren discuss how a hacker mindset can help protect data and systems, the maturity of deepfake videos versus deepfake audio and being able to work with cybersecurity AI systems.      Resources:  View Keren Elazari on LinkedIn   View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks          Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Mike Hanley, Chief Security Officer and the Senior Vice President of Engineering at GitHub, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Ann and Mike discuss the complexities of software supply chain security, the unique integration of security and engineering at GitHub, the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, and explore how emerging technologies contribute to digital defense.     Resources:  View Mike Hanley on LinkedIn  View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:   Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Frank Cilluffo, Director of the McCrary Institute, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Frank is the Director for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University, which fuses theory with practice and policy with technology to protect and advance U.S. interests in national and economic security. Before joining Auburn, Frank served in senior roles at George Washington University, where he founded and led the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security. Ann and Frank discuss his role at Auburn, the National Cybersecurity Strategy released earlier this year, and what type of work needs to happen between the private and public sectors to make progress on the National Strategy.  Resources: View Frank Cilluffo on LinkedIn  View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn  Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks     Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Deneen DeFiore, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at United Airlines, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Deneen shares insights into her Aviation Information Sharing and Analysis Center (A-ISAC) chairperson role, focusing on priorities such as building a trusted community, supply chain security, and global collaboration with government entities. Both Ann and Deneen express optimism about the future of cybersecurity, citing advancements in technology, responsible AI implementation, and the growing recognition of cyber risk management. They believe a collective defense and protection strategy and improved relationships between private companies and government sectors will contribute to a safer digital landscape.   Resources:  View Deneen DeFiore on LinkedIn  View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks  Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Caitlin Sarian, known to many as Cybersecurity Girl, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Caitlin is a leading influencer with a cybersecurity-focused social presence, primarily on TikTok and Instagram, where she provides insights on data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity. Caitlin shares her journey into cybersecurity, starting from a background in aerospace mechanical engineering and transitioning to cybersecurity. She emphasizes breaking down complex cybersecurity concepts to make them accessible to a broader audience and the challenges of educating the public about the consequences of online activities. Caitlin offers practical tips for individuals starting their journey in cybersecurity awareness and advises people to take an inventory of their online accounts.      Resources:  View Caitlin Sarian on LinkedIn  View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  -Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  -The BlueHat Podcast   -Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Tanya Janca, head of Community and Education at Semgrep and the founder of WeHackPurple, joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. Tanya brings over two decades of coding and IT experience, navigating diverse landscapes from startups to tech giants like Microsoft, Adobe, and Nokia. Tanya is not just a seasoned professional; she's also the acclaimed author of 'Alice and Bob Learn Application Security,’ a groundbreaking book that goes beyond the fundamentals, delving into intricate subjects such as threat modeling and security testing. She is a dynamic force in the cybersecurity community, an award-winning public speaker, and an engaging streamer, sharing her expertise through hundreds of talks and training sessions spanning six continents. Ann and Tanya unravel the layers of Tanya's journey, shedding light on the ever-evolving landscape of application security and beyond.     Resources:  View Tanya Janca on LinkedIn  View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:  Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  The BlueHat Podcast   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.