Episodios

  • The RevOps Whisperer: How Joe Aurilia Fixes the Stuff No One Wants to Touch
    Apr 2 2025
    Episode Summary: This week, we’ve got an extra special guest, Joe Aurilia, Jr., SVP of Operations at Cyware. Joining Gianna and Maria to talk more about the art of scaling, automating, and just plain getting stuff done. Joe takes us on a ride from being Cyware’s first U.S. hire (aka "the guinea pig") to building and overseeing every corner of operations from legal and IT to rev ops and marketing ops. We chat about how to spot and fix the messiest processes, why RevOps is the unsung hero of the GTM engine, and what happens when contracts, people, and data collide. Joe also drops gems on internal sales/marketing for change management, and we close out with his dream career as an ice cream shop owner. Plus: purple dashboards, auctioneer aspirations, and a serious stance on free sprinkles. Timestamps: 03:02 - What even is "Operations"? Joe breaks it down. 07:55 - Being Cyware’s first U.S. hire and building from scratch. 10:10 - Automate and scale: Joe’s operational north star. 13:48 - The birth of RevOps and tackling the mess no one else wants. 18:12 - Walking through change across departments and people. 22:44 - On avoiding fiefdoms and removing blockers. 27:02 - Asana, tears of joy, and operational adoption. 30:50 - Data integrity: The holy grail of RevOps. 36:40 - Working with leadership and enabling decision-making. 41:12 - Tactical wins to streamline GTM and shorten deal cycles. 47:10 - Contracts as living documents and reducing friction. 📢 Upcoming Events: RSAC 2025 Marketers Party Sunday, April 27th — Join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society for the best pre-RSAC bash with drinks, Wagyu, and your GTM friends. Get tickets at https://www.cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com/event/party-for-marketers-rsac-2024. CyberMarketingCon 2025 – CFP Open! Speak, learn, and network with 700+ marketers and GTM pros in Austin, TX. 🗓️ December 7–10, 2025 📝 CFP closes April 15th! 🔗Links & Resources Mentioned: Cyware Asana Cybersecurity Marketing Society CyberMarketingCon25 🔔 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and brings you more awesome guests! 📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at podcast@cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉 Gianna Whitver 👉 Maria Velasquez Thanks for tuning in. Remember, every Wednesday, we drop a new episode guaranteed to knock your SOCs off. 😎
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    33 m
  • How to Run B2B Social Media Without Losing Your Mind (or Creativity) with Jacqui Morgan
    Mar 26 2025
    Episode Summary: Running social media isn’t easy; so many expectations and trade-offs. You need to be informative yet fun, creative yet professional, and engaging yet consistent, all while keeping things fresh. Even worse, when you manage a massive cybersecurity brand, it’s about more than just posting. It’s about making an impact in a sea of corporate noise. No one does that better than Jacqui Morgan, Global Social Lead at Palo Alto Networks. Jacqui is the force behind high-impact, creative content that breaks through the typical B2B jargon and excites people about cybersecurity. In this episode, she pulls back the curtain on how her team strikes the perfect balance between strategy and spontaneity, why less can mean more, and how to inject personality into cybersecurity marketing. We also talk about big social media wins, some not-so-great flops, and her dream career outside of tech (hint: it’s delicious). If you’re ready to remove the boring in your B2B social strategy, this episode is for you! Timestamps: [05:15] Running a lean global team without losing creativity: Jacqui breaks down how her small-but-mighty team supports every part of Palo Alto Networks, balancing global regions, creative partners, and agencies while keeping their sanity. [10:45] Less is more, cutting through the noise: How Jacqui prioritizes quality over quantity, scales back on low-impact requests, and positions the social team as strategic partners—not order takers. [15:30] Making cybersecurity social fun: Why creativity is crucial, how her team injects personality into LinkedIn content, and their approach to standing out in a traditionally dry space. [20:20] Agency partnerships done right: Jacqui shares how to transform agency relationships from transactional to true creative partnerships and how trust plays a key role. [25:15] Campaign wins & lessons from flops: Hear the story of a bold, standout campaign at a significant conference, plus a candid look at a past misstep and the lessons Jacqui walked away with. [30:40] Getting leadership buy-in: Why building internal trust and strong relationships with executives, marketers, and sales teams is key to social media success. [35:10] Jacqui’s dream career (hint: it’s delicious): We wrap up with her fun, non-tech dream job—and it’s something you might just want to visit one day. 🔗Links & Resources Mentioned: Palo Alto Networks on LinkedIn. Jacqui Morgan on LinkedIn. 📢 Upcoming Events: 🚀 Join us at the RSAC 2025 Conference! Secure your spot for the ultimate Cybersecurity Marketing Society Party at RSAC. 🎉 Get tickets here. 🔔 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and brings you more awesome guests! 📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at podcast@cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter.
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    29 m
  • Why Founder-Led Marketing is the Future of Cybersecurity Awareness with Tatianna Harris
    Mar 19 2025
    Episode Summary: In cybersecurity marketing, messaging is everything, but what happens when your audience doesn’t understand your language? This week, we sit down with Tatianna Harris, Head of Digital Marketing at EchoMark, to discuss the nuances of building brand awareness in a category that barely exists in the market’s vocabulary. From navigating the complexities of insider risk messaging to executing a founder-led thought leadership strategy, Tatianna shares what it takes to market cybersecurity solutions while wearing every marketing hat as a solo practitioner. Timestamps: [03:12] - How Tatianna got her job at EchoMark through networking [06:40] - The power of word-of-mouth in career growth [09:55] - What EchoMark does and Tatianna’s role as a solo marketer [14:30] - Challenges of marketing at a cybersecurity startup [18:20] - Why EchoMark pivoted its messaging from “Forensic Watermarking” to “Invisible Watermarking” [22:45] - How Tatianna worked with leadership to change messaging [27:15] - Thought leadership and CEO-led marketing strategies [32:05] - How Tatianna prioritizes her time as the only marketer 🔗Links & Resources Mentioned: EchoMark on their Website or LinkedIn. Follow Tatianna on LinkedIn. 📢 Upcoming Events: 🚀 Join us at RSAC 2025 Conference! Secure your spot for the ultimate Cybersecurity Marketing Society Party at RSAC. 🎉 Get tickets here. 🔔 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and brings you more awesome guests! 📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at podcast@cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter.
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    25 m
  • Beyond Clicks: Crafting Cybersecurity Content That Works with David J. Ebner
    Mar 12 2025
    Episode Summary: Content isn’t just something you create and forget—it’s an asset, a living, evolving piece of your brand’s identity. According to David J. Ebner, great content isn’t about chasing trends or churning out endless articles; it’s about crafting something that stands the test of time, resonates with the right audience, and drives meaningful business outcomes. In this episode, David, CEO and Founder of Content Workshop, discusses how companies of all sizes can fine-tune their messaging, build effective content strategies, and avoid the common mistakes that hold marketing teams back. He also discusses why content should be treated as a long-term business investment, how to navigate AI’s role in content creation, and what makes a difference in SEO and backlinking. We also explore how cybersecurity marketers can make a real impact at RSAC 2025—from standing out in a crowded space to building trust with the right audience. Whether you’re leading a marketing team or running solo, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use immediately. Timestamps: 05:30 Content Strategies for Small vs. Large Companies – Adjusting marketing tactics based on team size and resources. 12:45 Persona Building & Message Mapping – Understanding your audience and structuring effective messaging. 18:20 Why Calling Your Product a Solution Matters – How positioning influences buyer perception and engagement. 24:10 Content Production Challenges & Best Practices – Overcoming bottlenecks and keeping content high-quality. 30:50 The Power of Backlinking & SEO in Cybersecurity – Strengthening domain authority and search visibility. 38:15 AI’s Role in Content Marketing: Hype vs. Reality – Where AI adds value and human creativity still leads. 45:00 How to Stand Out at RSAC 2025 – Strategies to make a lasting impact at cybersecurity’s biggest event. 52:35 The Morality of Marketing & Creating Meaningful Content – Ethical considerations and why authenticity matters. Links & Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Content Workshop: www.contentworkshop.com 🔗 Follow David J. Ebner on LinkedIn: David J. Ebner 🔗 Clutch - Professional Services Reviews: www.clutch.co 🔗 G2 - Software & Service Reviews: www.g2.com 🔗 Capterra - Software Reviews & Comparisons: www.capterra.com 🔗 RSAC 2025 Conference Information: www.rsaconference.com 🔗 Cybersecurity Marketing Society & Content Workshop Webinar on Backlinks (May 15): Register here 📢 Upcoming Events: 🚀 Join us at RSAC 2025 Conference! Secure your spot for the ultimate Cybersecurity Marketing Society Party at RSAC. 🎉 Get tickets here. 🔔 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and brings you more awesome guests! 📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at podcast@cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter.
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    41 m
  • The CISO Obsession Is a Mistake—Here’s Who Makes Decisions with Parham Eftekhari
    Mar 5 2025
    Episode Summary: Most cybersecurity events feel the same: a packed schedule, a few familiar faces, and vendors trying to grab your attention. But does any of it build a lasting community? Parham Eftekhari, EVP of Communities at CyberRisk Alliance (CRA), has spent years figuring out what security professionals want. CRA runs 150+ in-person events annually, but its focus isn’t just filling rooms—it’s creating connections beyond a name badge. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔹 The role of community-building in cybersecurity marketing. 🔹 Why mid-market cybersecurity teams need more attention. 🔹 How CISOs and their teams make buying decisions. 🔹 The shift from traditional marketing to community-led initiatives. 🔹 The upcoming expansion of CRA’s membership and what it means for vendors. Timestamps: [02:30] What Does an EVP of Communities Do? Parham explains his role at CyberRisk Alliance and how CRA supports 3.2 million cybersecurity professionals. The three key divisions of CRA are events, Connect (Media), and Communities. [06:15] Scaling Cybersecurity Events & Summits CRA organizes 150+ in-person events annually, plus weekly virtual events. The strategy behind community-driven event planning—members nominate speakers & topics. How CRA balances technical and leadership content for practitioners and executives. [11:50] The Shift Toward Community-Led Marketing More vendors are shifting marketing budgets to community-led initiatives over traditional events. Why peer-driven engagement is more effective than sales-heavy webinars. The importance of vendor partnerships in community-building. [16:30] Why Mid-Market is a Huge Opportunity Many vendors overlook mid-market organizations despite their cybersecurity needs. Mid-market companies lack dedicated security teams and need more support. How CRA is expanding membership to include companies with $50M+ revenue. [21:00] Who Makes Cybersecurity Buying Decisions? Myth: CISOs are the only decision-makers. Reality: CISO direct reports & technical teams drive research, evaluation, and vendor selection. Advice for marketers: Target the security team and the CFO, not just the CISO. [26:40] Expanding CRA’s Membership Model CRA’s next phase: A new membership tier for mid-senior level leaders. The challenge of creating valuable community experiences for different leadership levels. Why vendor-side CISOs will soon have a place in the CRA community. [33:15] Ensuring Vendor Trust in the Community Guardrails to prevent sales-heavy interactions in CRA’s membership model. CRA’s commitment to non-biased content, peer-driven insights, and ethical engagement. How CRA handles bad actors who misuse the community. Links & Resources: 🌐 Connect with Parham Eftekari: LinkedIn: Parham Eftekhari Website: CyberRisk Alliance 📢 Upcoming Events: 🚀 Join us at RSAC 2025 Conference! Secure your spot for the ultimate Cybersecurity Marketing Society Party at RSAC. 🎉 Get tickets here. 🔔 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating & review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us grow and brings you more awesome guests! 📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at podcast@cybersecuritymarketingsociety.com Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter. See you in the next episode!
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    39 m
  • The Hidden Power of Cybersecurity Podcasts (and How to Make Yours Stand Out) with David Moulton
    Feb 26 2025
    Episode Summary: This week’s episode is about love—the love of great content, storytelling, and marketing. Gianna and Maria sit down with David Moulton, host of the Threat Vector Podcast at Palo Alto Networks, to discuss the secrets to making a cybersecurity podcast that works. Forget boring, “salesy” content—David shares the Three E’s of Podcasting (Education, Engagement, and Entertainment) and explains why a killer podcast is one of the most powerful (yet underrated) tools in cybersecurity marketing. But that’s not all—David also reveals his ROI formula for proving a podcast’s value (yes, there’s math, but the fun kind!), his dream career if he wasn’t in cybersecurity, and why marketing is just like chocolate—you have to savor the good stuff. 🍫 If you’re thinking about launching a podcast or proving its value to leadership, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss. Timestamps: [01:22] - David’s Journey Into Cybersecurity Podcasting - How David got into his role at Palo Alto Networks and his experience with internal and external podcasts. [02:56] - The Secret to a Great Podcast: The 3 E’s - Education, Engagement, and Entertainment – A framework for successful content. [05:35] - Creating Value for Listeners, Not Just Leads - The importance of thought leadership over hard selling. [06:50] - Doing the Hard Things in Marketing - Why cybersecurity marketing must go beyond Google-able content. [08:54] - The ROI of Podcasting: How to Prove It Works - Ear-minutes x $1.03 per minute – The formula for podcast attention value. [12:14] - The Hardest Part of Running a Podcast - Balancing content strategy, editing, and distribution. [16:01] - The Problem of Podcast “Pod Fade” - Why most podcasts fail by episode six and how to stay consistent and build momentum. [19:47] - Getting Executive Buy-In for Podcasts - Overcoming objections to attribution challenges and how BP, universities, and Fortune 50 companies validate podcast success. [24:12] - What You Can Learn About Your Podcast Audience - Using data from Megaphone (geo, devices, listener trends). [26:42] - The Self-Attribution Hack for Proving Impact - Why add "How did you hear about us?" fields matter, and how does traditional attribution miss the human element? Resources & Mentions Threat Vector Podcast – Listen Here The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson is a seminal book that introduces a new approach to sales, emphasizing the importance of challenging customers' thinking to add value.​ You can find more details and purchase the book on Amazon or read reviews on Goodreads. Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter. See you in the next episode!
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    40 m
  • Empowering Cybersecurity: RSAC's Expanded Vision
    Feb 19 2025
    Episode Summary: This week, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most significant shifts in cybersecurity events—RSAC’s bold rebrand and vision for the future. Joining us are two insiders, Ben Waring, Director of Global PR & Communications, and Jessica Porter, Senior Director of Marketing, who will reveal the strategy behind the transformation, the impact on the global security community, and what’s in store for 2025 and beyond. If you want the inside scoop on industry trends, new opportunities, and what’s next for the world’s leading cybersecurity event, this episode is a must-listen! Timestamps: 01:26: RSAC’s rebrand: Why and what it means—RSAC is changing things up with a brand refresh that resonates with the cybersecurity community and aligns with its future goals. 03:28: Expanding RSAC beyond a conference into a year-round community – A cybersecurity conference is valuable, but what happens when the event ends? 05:29: Behind the scenes of the rebrand: Process and key decisions – A rebrand of this scale takes time, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of the community’s needs. Ben and Jessica take us through the months-long process, their challenges, and the key decisions that shaped RSAC’s new identity. 09:07: Upcoming RSAC initiatives and events – What’s next for RSAC? We explore some of the new initiatives, expanded programming, and upcoming events. 12:40: How RSAC engages vendors and cybersecurity professionals –RSAC is a large community that connects vendors, practitioners, and industry leaders. It enables exhibitors and sponsors to engage with attendees while emphasizing education and innovation. 20:45: The new “Cybersecurity Together” theme—Community is at the heart of everything RSAC does, and this new theme encapsulates its commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and collective growth in the cybersecurity space. We discuss how this theme influences programming, partnerships, and plans. 25:13: Inspiration from other conferences and industry trends—From South by Southwest to niche industry gatherings, we discuss what RSAC has learned from other successful events and how those insights shape its future. 30:33 - Will RSAC move from San Francisco? – RSAC has called the Bay Area home for decades, but will it stay? 34:02—Big announcement: RSAC expands to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts—Growth is key, and RSAC is physically broadening its footprint by adding space at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. What does this mean for attendees, exhibitors, and programming? We break down the impact of this exciting development. 34:53 - RSAC introduces its booth (#S-3425) – For the first time, RSAC will have a dedicated booth where attendees can learn more about the brand's evolution, upcoming events, and community initiatives. Be sure to stop by! Resources & Links 🔗 Stay updated at OneRSAC.com 🔗 Join the RSAC community: OneRSAC.com/joinus 📍 Visit RAC's booth at the concourse between North & South Expo (#S-3425) Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter. See you in the next episode!
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    39 m
  • AI, LLMs & Cybersecurity: The Good, The Bad, and The Deepfakes with Dr. Andrea Isoni
    Feb 12 2025
    Episode Summary: The race to be the best in artificial intelligence (AI) is getting stronger. Open-source models are now competing with closed systems, which affects how we create new technology and keep it safe. Will open AI help us make significant discoveries quickly, or could it be too risky? How will governments, businesses, and hackers use this new technology? In this episode, Dr. Andrea Isoni, the Chief AI Officer at AI Technologies, discusses the latest advances in AI, from computer chips and deepfakes to cybersecurity threats Timestamps: [02:30] - The cost and performance of new AI models vs. OpenAI [06:45] - The LLM arms race: Open vs. Closed AI models [12:10] - The importance of optimization in pre-training and post-training AI models [18:00] - China's AI strategy and global AI adoption challenges [22:40] - The battle for GPU dominance: NVIDIA, AMD, and upcoming players [29:15] - Cybersecurity and AI: Threats and solutions [35:20] - The impact of the EU AI Act and global AI regulations [42:00] - Deepfakes and how AI can protect against AI-powered attacks [48:50] - The future of AI security: Blockchain, cryptographic verification, and watermarking Key Takeaways: AI Optimization is Important: The next wave of large language models (LLMs) will focus on improving optimization, using synthetic data to boost efficiency. China’s AI Game Plan: Even with all the geopolitical bumps, China is making serious strides in AI and chip manufacturing. Cybersecurity & AI: AI-driven cyber threats like deepfakes, phishing, and AI poisoning are becoming more sophisticated, so developing AI defenses is essential now. Regulation is Key: The EU AI Act and other global regulations will play a significant role in adopting AI and developing security measures. The GPU Race: While NVIDIA is still the top dog, AMD and some newer brands are catching up, prioritizing cost efficiency and innovation. Resources & Links: State of Artificial Intelligence Report: stateofartificialintelligence.com AI Research & Insights: AI Technologies - Click on the "AI Insights" section for more reports and analysis. EU AI Act Overview: European Commission AI Regulations OECD AI Incident Index: OECD AI Policy Observatory Reality Defender (Deepfake Detection Startup): Reality Defender Be sure also to follow our hosts on LinkedIn: 👉Gianna Whitver 👉Maria Velasquez Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, main LinkedIn page, or podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter. See you in the next episode!
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    29 m