How to Become a CISO: Insights from Industry Professionals on the Root to CISO Podcast
The journey to becoming a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) isn’t always straightforward; it’s a combination of technical skills, leadership growth, and continuous learning. That’s exactly what we explore on the Root to CISO Podcast, where host Kris Rides sits down with cybersecurity executives, thought leaders, and industry veterans to uncover their career paths, challenges, and lessons learned.
From mentorship and skill-building to navigating executive roles, our guests share real-world advice to help aspiring CISOs and cybersecurity professionals take their careers to the next level. Here’s a look back at some of the incredible guests who have joined us:
🔹 Jameeka Aaron (CISO, Headspace)
Jameeka shared how her military background in naval communications built the foundation for her cybersecurity career. She emphasized the importance of mission-driven leadership and protecting privacy in today’s digital world.
🔹 Jason Woloz (CISO, Cloud Security Alliance)
Jason talked about thought leadership and how small, incremental career moves can lead to big opportunities. He also discussed the role of networking and how founding a Cloud Security Alliance chapter helped him grow his career.
🔹 Ray Espinoza (Security Executive, Elite Technology)
Ray’s journey began at eBay in 2000, where he transitioned from IT to leading incident response and building security programs. Through mentorship, self-learning, and a drive to solve complex problems, Ray crafted a remarkable career, proving that skills and determination can outweigh traditional pathways.
🔹 Yaron Levi (CISO, Dolby)
Yaron discussed security tinkering and the importance of curiosity in cybersecurity. He also shared insights on how security leaders can work more effectively with executives and board members.
🔹 Justin Somani (CISO, Yahoo)
Justin’s episode focused on managing security at scale, dealing with executive expectations, and balancing security with business needs in a high-profile organization.
🔹 Gary Hayslip (CISO, SoftBank Investment Advisers)
Gary has been featured in a two-part episode, where he breaks down the technical skills every security leader needs, how to stand out and move up in your career, and managing stress and workload as a CISO.
Why Tune In?
Whether you’re a security analyst, a security engineer, or an aspiring CISO, the Root to CISO Podcast gives you insider knowledge from those who’ve successfully navigated the field. Our goal is to break down the road to cybersecurity roles and provide practical advice that helps you grow in your career. If you aspire to be a CISO, have thought about becoming one, or even just want to move your career path forward, the podcast will provide you with insightful information for all levels of the cybersecurity career field.
New episodes drop weekly, so don’t miss out! Subscribe and listen on:
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