EP 13 - Pizza parties and profit margins: The business of cybercrime
Cybercriminals today operate more like startups than stereotypes—complete with org charts, sprint cycles, and pizza parties to celebrate successful breaches. In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner talks with former CISO and U.S. Air Force veteran Ian Schneller about the evolving sophistication of threat actors and what it takes to stay ahead.From zero-day vulnerabilities and machine identity risks to AI-powered attacks and insider threats, Ian shares practical strategies drawn from his experience in military intelligence, offensive cyber operations, and corporate security leadership. Learn how to build resilience, translate cyber risk into business outcomes, and lead with mission-driven clarity in a threat landscape that never slows down.
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40:29
EP 12 - From assumptions to accountability: A CISO’s take on cloud risk
What does "secure by default" really mean—and is it enough? In this episode of CyberArk’s Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Scott Barronton, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Diebold Nixdorf, to explore the often-overlooked risks of cloud default settings and how assumptions can lead to vulnerabilities.Drawing on over 25 years in cybersecurity, Scott shares how he balances product and corporate security, leads a global team, and chairs his company’s AI steering committee. He discusses the importance of machine identity management, certificate automation, and building security programs that support both innovation and accountability.Plus, Scott reflects on how his passion for travel—including a group trip to Antarctica—informs his leadership style and security mindset.
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EP 11 - The calm CISO: Strength under pressure
What does it take to stay calm in the face of constant cyber pressure—and why does that mindset matter more than ever? In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner speaks with Den Jones, founder and CEO of 909Cyber, about his transition from enterprise chief security officer (CSO) to cybersecurity consultant. They explore what it means to lead with clarity and composure in a high-stakes environment, the realities of launching a firm in a crowded market, and how pragmatic security strategies—especially around identity, AI, and Zero Trust—can help organizations navigate AI-driven threats, talent shortages, and operational complexity. It’s a candid conversation about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to modern security leadership.
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46:14
EP 10 - A new identity crisis: governance in the AI age
In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Deepak Taneja, co-founder of Zilla Security and General Manager of Identity Governance at CyberArk, to explore why 2025 marks a pivotal moment for identity security. From the explosion of machine identities—now outnumbering human identities 80 to 1—to the convergence of IGA, PAM, and AI-driven automation, Deepak shares insights from his decades-long career at the forefront of identity innovation.Listeners will learn:Why legacy identity governance models are breaking under cloud scaleHow AI agents are reshaping entitlement management and threat detectionWhat organizations must do to secure non-human identities and interlinked dependenciesWhy time-to-value and outcome-driven metrics are essential for modern IGA successWhether you're a CISO, identity architect, or security strategist, this episode delivers actionable guidance for navigating the evolving identity security landscape.
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36:20
EP 9 - J&J’s former CISO on trust, identity, and the future of cybersecurity
In this episode of Security Matters, host David Puner sits down with Marene Allison, former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Johnson & Johnson, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on trust, identity, and leadership in cybersecurity. From securing global vaccine supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic to navigating the rise of AI and machine identities, Marene shares hard-earned insights from her decades-long career in national security and the private sector.They explore what it means to be a mission-driven CISO, how to build trust from the boardroom to the front lines, and why identity has always been the true perimeter. Marene also reflects on her post-CISO chapter and the evolving role of cybersecurity leaders in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Security Matters is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights on navigating today’s rapidly evolving digital threat landscape. Featuring expert insights from frontline practitioners, each episode gives you a deep dive into today’s most critical issues, from securing identities to protecting hybrid, multi-cloud and emerging environments to staying ahead of new attack methods and beyond. Because in this increasingly complex world, how you approach security matters.