Understanding and achieving CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is vital for businesses working with the Department of Defense, and it's not as simple as saying, "Trust me, we're secure." In this episode, John Riley sits down with the passionate and insightful Valerie Cobb, a CMMC expert with Omnistruct, to dissect the complexities and necessities of CMMC. Valerie doesn't hold back, addressing common misconceptions like "we're too small" or "Congress will change it," with a direct, no-nonsense approach that matches her zeal for protecting critical data. Together, they dive into why CMMC is crucial now more than ever, contrasting it with the limitations of FedRAMP and highlighting the shift from self-attestation to third-party and DOD audits. Valerie emphasizes that compliance is not just a cost, but an opportunity for businesses to stand out, encouraging proactive steps towards certification and leveraging it as a strategic advantage in securing government contracts. If you're looking to understand CMMC and how it can transform your business's security posture and growth potential, this episode is a must-listen!

The Trump administration’s deregulation effort is causing underlying risks for the cybersecurity space. With compliance rules getting blurry across states, how can you protect your data from hackers and keep them private? John Riley and Valerie Cobb discuss how businesses can deal with data breaches, information processing, and confidential data management as deregulation is being rolled out. They also emphasize why compliance should be seen not just as a goal to be accomplished but as a never-ending journey of keeping up with the rapid pace of technology.

In today’s digital landscape, organizations need to build a secure foundation to protect their data. Yasir Ali is the Founder and CEO of PolymerHQ DLP, a company that offers a unique approach to data loss prevention designed for SaaS applications. He brings valuable insights about protecting your organization’s data and his approach to data loss prevention. He also shares emerging trends impacting the future. Yasir also draws the curtain to show how PolymerHQ DLP started. Join us in this conversation about protecting your organization’s data.

Artificial intelligence is sweeping every aspect of the digital space right now, and it always finds its way into our personal lives in more ways than one. Despite its many benefits, concerns regarding data privacy arise. Caroline McCaffery of ClearOPS is here to discuss the state of data privacy laws and regulations as AI becomes more ubiquitous. Joining John Riley and George Usi, she discusses how to ensure data protection and prepare ample cybersecurity budgets amid the ever-evolving AI landscape. Caroline also explains the right way to handle a cyber crisis without having to delete all of your data.

Cybersecurity incidents usually stem from human-enabled actions. But to err is human; it is only by learning from those mistakes that we can improve. In this episode, John Riley and George Usi sit down with Wendy Epley, Principal Analyst and Information Security expert at the University of Arizona. As a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in regulatory trade compliance, Wendy discusses the critical importance of understanding cybersecurity contracts. She emphasizes the need for organizations to carefully review and negotiate terms, ensuring robust security clauses to protect against potential threats. Wendy shares insights into the evolving landscape of cyber risk management, shedding light on the emergence of NIST Special Publication 800-171 as a pivotal framework. Tune in to learn about Wendy's exciting project, "CyBoRG," an internal resource at the University fostering knowledge sharing and aligning security practices. Don't miss this episode full of practical advice for building a resilient cybersecurity posture.

Effective cybersecurity isn't just a checkbox – it's an ongoing investment in resilience. It starts from the top, where collaboration between IT and leadership paves the way for a secure digital future. In this episode, we have Seth Guntharp to shed light on the challenges and triumphs of achieving CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification). Seth spares no details— he discusses CMMC's evolution, the changing landscape of compliance regulations, the crucial roles of CEOs, and more. Tune in and learn how to be ready to tackle cybersecurity challenges head-on!

In this pilot episode, John Riley and George Usi discuss the recent cyberattacks on Las Vegas casino giants MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment. Their conversation centers not so much on the technical aspect but more on the leadership side, discussing how business executives should swiftly act and appropriately react. John and George compare cyberattacks to arson, drawing effective response tactics from firefighting operations. They also discuss why executives must never let their emotions cloud their judgment when addressing these attacks and how to regain the trust of clients (and employees) after hackers blemish your well-guarded reputation.

As technologies become even more interconnected and deeply embedded in our lives, facing cyber risks has become more real than ever. Cyber security could be the only thing that keeps you and your business safe. In this episode, John Riley and George Usi sit down with the President of PingWind, Inc., Clarence Dingman, to discuss how executives and leaders can prevent cyber-attacks from happening and keep their businesses safe. What is the most significant cyber threat executives are facing right now? How should a CEO prioritize cyber risks and how can a CFO budget for that? What does a cyber disaster look like for executives? Bringing insights not only from his experience in the industry but also from his background as a former military, Clarence gives a fresh point-of-view on facing the dangers in today’s cyber world. Join him as he shares more about fortifying cybersecurity as leaders today!