CISO Perspectives (public)

Please enjoy this encore of CISO Perspectives. In the season finale of CISOP, Kim Jones is joined by N2K’s own Ethan Cook to reflect on the conversations that shaped this season. Together, they revisit standout moments from Kim’s interviews, unpacking their significance and getting Ethan’s fresh perspective on the cybersecurity workforce challenge—as someone viewing the industry from the outside. Since the mid-season reflection, Kim has explored a wide range of workforce issues, including skills mapping, talent identification, and the evolving strategies needed to close cybersecurity’s talent gap.

As the emphasis on improving cybersecurity has continued to grow, so has the number of vendors offering a range of cybersecurity services. However, despite the value many of these vendors bring, the relationship between vendors and clients has become strained. In this episode, Kim explores this relationship, offering his thoughts on this relationship and what both sides can do to better to improve this dynamic. Want more CISO Perspectives? Check out a companion ⁠⁠blog post⁠⁠ by our very own Ethan Cook, where he breaks down key insights, shares behind-the-scenes context, and highlights research that complements this episode. It’s the perfect follow-up if you’re curious about the cyber talent crunch and how we can reshape the ecosystem for future professionals.

Despite being adopted and prioritized by many organizations, cybersecurity still faces a significant challenge where leaders still cannot articulate their needs, and find and develop talent. Rather, organizations oftentimes follow the same strategy many others are utilizing, which involves poaching talent with enticing salaries. In this episode of CISO Perspectives, host ⁠Kim Jones⁠ sits down with Ed Vasko, the CEO at High Wire Networks, to discuss this approach and the impacts it is having on the cyber talent ecosystem. Throughout the conversation, Ed and Kim discuss their experience when assessing talent and some of the mistakes made by the industry, and what can be done to begin correcting this approach. Want more CISO Perspectives? Check out a companion ⁠⁠blog post⁠⁠ by our very own Ethan Cook, where he breaks down key insights, shares behind-the-scenes context, and highlights research that complements this episode. It’s the perfect follow-up if you’re curious about the cyber talent crunch and how we can reshape the ecosystem for future professionals.

Even as cybersecurity has grown and become universially accepted, the field has continued to struggle when attempting to assess and aquire talent. Oftentimes, there is a disconnect between what organizations need and what they interview for leading vague job postings and ineffective hirings. In this episode of CISO Perspectives, host ⁠Kim Jones⁠ sits down with Jeff Welgan, the Chief Strategist and CEO at SkillRex, to discuss how we assess talent. Throughout the conversation, Jeff and Kim will discuss the problems associated with traditional workforce management and how modernizing this approach can provide a strategic advantage. Want more CISO Perspectives? Check out a companion ⁠⁠blog post⁠⁠ by our very own Ethan Cook, where he breaks down key insights, shares behind-the-scenes context, and highlights research that complements this episode. It’s the perfect follow-up if you’re curious about the cyber talent crunch and how we can reshape the ecosystem for future professionals.

In this mid-season episode, Kim takes a step back to reflect on the journey so far—revisiting key conversations, standout moments, and recurring themes that have shaped the season. During the episode, Kim sits down with N2K's own Ethan Cook to connect the dots across episodes, uncovering deeper patterns and takeaways. Whether you're catching up or tuning in weekly, this episode offers a thoughtful recap and fresh perspective on where we've been—and what's still to come.