In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy sits down with Matt Hillary, the Chief Information Security Officer of Drata, to discuss governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and trust management. They explore key topics such as the evolution of GRC, trust management, compliance automation, and the advent of AI in compliance processes. Matt shares insights on building a world-class GRC program, the challenges and opportunities in modern-day compliance, and the mental health aspects of being a cybersecurity leader. This episode is a must-watch for any cybersecurity professional looking to enhance their GRC strategies and compliance operations.

Big Thanks to our Sponsor Drata. You can learn more about them at https://drata.com/

Connect with Matt Hillary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhillary/

Transcripts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzRQSEvgUwenDERlNn2bwlIpnz4QPQ15/

Chapters

• 01:39 Meet Matt Hillary: CISO of Drata
• 06:06 The Evolution of GRC and Trust Management
• 14:48 Continuous Compliance and Automation
• 19:26 Compliance as Code: The Future of GRC
• 22:18 The Importance of Getting It Right the First Time
• 23:15 Customer Compliance Challenges
• 24:21 Vendor Risk Management and Trust Building
• 26:26 Leveraging AI for Compliance and Risk Management
• 31:43 Evaluating Credibility of Third-Party Evidence
• 41:09 Common Mistakes in GRC Programs
• 43:56 Final Thoughts and Industry Call to Action

Join G Mark Hardy at THOTCON in Chicago for an insightful podcast episode on building a successful cybersecurity career. Featuring guest Ryan Gooler, they discuss the non-linear paths to success, the value of mentorship, financial planning, and the importance of continuous learning and adapting. Learn how to navigate career transitions, embrace risks, and find joy in teaching and learning from others in the cybersecurity community.

Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nsd61mkIWbmIL1qube0-cdqINsDujAVH

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome to THOTCON: Meeting Amazing People
• 00:26 Introducing Ryan Gooler: A Journey into Cybersecurity
• 04:09 The Value of Mentorship in Cybersecurity
• 06:22 Career Management and Setting Goals
• 09:33 Financial Planning for Cybersecurity Professionals
• 16:40 Automating Finances and Smart Spending
• 21:25 Financial Sophistication and Mutual Funds
• 22:07 Automating Life Tasks
• 22:41 The Concept of a Finishing Stamp
• 24:17 Leadership and Delegation in the Navy
• 26:06 Building and Maintaining Culture
• 27:21 Surviving Toxic Environments
• 29:55 Taking Risks and Finding Joy
• 34:34 Advice for Cybersecurity Careers
• 39:01 The Importance of Teaching and Learning
• 40:29 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy delves into the emerging concept of Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its significance in AI and enterprise security. Launched by Anthropic in November 2024, MCP is designed to standardize how AI systems interact with external data sources and applications. Hardy explores how MCP differs from traditional APIs, its implications for security, and the steps organizations need to take to prepare for its adoption. Key topics include the stateful nature of MCP, security risks such as prompt injection and tool poisoning, and the importance of developing a robust governance framework. By the end of the episode, listeners will have a comprehensive understanding of MCP and practical recommendations for safeguarding their AI-driven workflows.

Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vyfFJgTbsH73CcQhtBBkOfDoTrJYqzl_

References

Model Context Protocol specification and security best practices, https://modelcontextprotocol.io ⁠

Security risks of MCP, https://pillar.security ⁠ ⁠

MCP security considerations, https://writer.com

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Model Context Protocol (MCP)
• 00:27 Understanding MCP and Its Importance
• 01:41 How MCP Works and Its Security Implications
• 04:23 Comparing MCP to Traditional APIs
• 08:41 MCP Architecture and Security Benefits
• 12:07 Top Security Risks of MCP
• 18:00 Implementing Security Controls for MCP
• 25:00 Governance Framework for MCP
• 28:03 Future Trends and Strategic Recommendations
• 30:34 Conclusion and Next Steps

Web 3.0 Explained: Business Cases, Security, and Future Prospects | CISO Tradecraft In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy welcomes special guest Aaron Markell to discuss the intricacies of Web 3.0. They explore the evolution from Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 to the decentralized structure of Web 3.0, describing its application in various industries like finance, healthcare, and supply chain. The conversation dives into blockchain technology, the role of tokens, smart contracts, and consensus mechanisms like proof of work and proof of stake. They also touch on potential future developments involving AI in Web 3.0, offering valuable insights for business leaders and cybersecurity professionals looking to understand and leverage this emerging technology.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Web 3.0
• 00:31 Meet the Expert: Aaron Markell
• 01:39 Aaron's Journey into Web 3.0
• 03:51 Understanding Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0
• 04:36 Decentralization and Blockchain Basics
• 05:51 The SETI Project and Distributed Workloads
• 08:09 Proof of Work and Blockchain Security
• 17:22 Smart Contracts Explained
• 20:10 Proof of Stake vs. Proof of Work
• 23:51 The Role of Tokens in Web 3.0
• 24:22 Understanding Microtransactions and Ownership
• 25:05 What is an NFT?
• 26:40 The Rise and Fall of NFTs
• 28:36 Web 3.0 and Its Impact on Industries
• 30:10 Blockchain in Finance and Commerce
• 30:55 Private Blockchains and Government Transparency
• 34:09 Blockchain in Legal and Healthcare Sectors
• 36:59 Supply Chain Transformation with Web 3.0
• 39:59 The Future of Web 3.0 and AI Integration
• 41:03 Final Thoughts and Security Tips

Join G Mark Hardy, host of CISO Tradecraft, as he breaks down the latest insights from the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). In this episode, discover the top 10 takeaways for cybersecurity leaders including the surge in third-party breaches, the persistence of ransomware, and the human factors in security incidents. Learn actionable strategies to enhance your organization's security posture, from improving vendor risk management to understanding industry-specific threats. Stay ahead of cybercriminals and secure your data with practical, data-driven advice straight from one of the industry's most anticipated reports.

Verizon DBIR - https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/

Transcripts - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h_YMpJvhAMB9wRyx92WkPYiKpFYyW2qz

Chapters

• 00:35 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) Introduction
• 01:16 Accessing the DBIR Report
• 02:38 Key Takeaways from the DBIR
• 03:15 Third-Party Breaches
• 04:32 Ransomware Insights
• 08:08 Exploitation of Vulnerabilities
• 09:39 Credential Abuse
• 12:25 Espionage Attacks
• 14:04 System Intrusions in APAC
• 15:04 Business Email Compromise (BEC)
• 18:07 Human Risk and Security Awareness
• 19:19 Industry-Specific Trends
• 20:06 Multi-Layered Defense Strategy
• 21:08 Data Leakage to Gen AI

Join G Mark Hardy in this eye-opening episode of CISO Tradecraft as he shares a personal story about his dog Shelby's near-fatal experience and the costly lesson it taught him about technical debt. Discover how small overlooked issues in cybersecurity can compound and lead to significant risks and learn actionable steps to tackle technical debt before it turns into a crisis.

Pictures of Dog https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBc9e3bBJVW0BQt5inGryhP3ahBz4XsQ/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/12V_DuwhgNBKgxJL0yqNq9Fopa4dauJfd/view?usp=drive_link

Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-_X_9RQrurOLKRvbXyMjgbygESsabcCK

Chapters

• 00:21 Welcome to CISO Tradecraft
• 00:36 RSAC 2025 Conference Experience
• 01:22 Shelby's Health Scare
• 02:08 Understanding Technical Debt
• 02:41 The Consequences of Technical Debt
• 04:09 Shelby's Story as a Technical Debt Analogy
• 09:28 Lessons Learned from Shelby's Story
• 13:09 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy and guest Sounil Yu delve into the dual-edged sword of implementing Microsoft 365 Copilot in enterprises. While this productivity tool has transformative potential, it introduces significant oversharing risks that can be mitigated with the right strategies. Discover how Sounil and his team at Knostic have been tackling these challenges for over a year, presenting innovative solutions to ensure both productivity and security. They discuss the importance of 'need to know' principles and knowledge segmentation, providing insight into how organizations can harness the power of Microsoft 365 Copilot safely and effectively. Tune in to learn how to avoid becoming the 'department of no' and start being the 'department of know.'

Transcripts https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CT9HXdDmKojuXzWTbNYUE4Kgp_D64GyB

Knostic's Website - https://www.knostic.ai/solution-brief-request

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Microsoft Copilot Risks
• 00:32 Meet the Guest: Sounil Yu
• 02:51 Understanding Microsoft 365 Copilot
• 06:09 The DIKW Pyramid and Knowledge Management
• 08:34 Challenges of Data Permissions and Oversharing
• 19:01 Need to Know: A New Approach to Access Control
• 35:10 Measuring and Mitigating Risks with Copilot
• 39:46 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy delves into the crucial topic of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) and the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). Learn about the history, structure, and significance of the CVE database, the recent funding crisis, and what it means for the future of cybersecurity. We also explore the intricacies of CVE scoring and how it aids in prioritizing vulnerabilities. Tune in to understand how as a CISO, you can better prepare your organization against cyber threats and manage vulnerabilities efficiently.

Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13VzyzG5uUVLGVhPA5Ws0UFbHPnfHbsII

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to CVE and CVSS
• 01:13 History of Vulnerability Tracking
• 03:07 The CVE System Explained
• 06:47 Understanding CVSS Scoring
• 13:11 Recent Funding Crisis and Its Impact
• 15:53 Future of the CVE Program
• 18:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts