Dodging the Ball and ways for CISOs to avoid: Essential Strategies for CISOs | A Black Hat USA 2024 Conversation with Jess Nall | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

ITSPmagazine Podcasts

Guest: Jess Nall, Partner, Defense Against Government Investigations, Baker McKenzie, LLP [@bakermckenzie]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-nall/

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Hosts:

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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Episode Notes

As the countdown to Black Hat 2024 begins, ITSP Magazine’s “Chats On the Road” series kicks off with a compelling pre-event discussion featuring Jess Nall, a partner at Baker McKenzie with over two decades of experience in federal investigations and defending Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Hosted by Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli, the episode blends humor and serious insights to tackle the evolving challenges faced by CISOs today.

The Dodgeball Analogy: Setting the Stage

The conversation starts on a light-hearted note with a playful dodgeball analogy, a clever metaphor used to illustrate the growing complexities in the cybersecurity landscape. This sets the tone for a deeper exploration of the pressures and responsibilities that modern CISOs face, bridging the gap between legacy technology and contemporary cybersecurity challenges.

Legacy Technology vs. Modern Cybersecurity

Drawing from the dodgeball metaphor, Sean and Marco highlight the burden of legacy technology and its impact on current cybersecurity practices. Jess Nall shares her perspective on how past business operations influence today’s cybersecurity strategies, emphasizing the need for CISOs to adapt and innovate continually.

ITSP Magazine’s Milestone and Black Hat Connections

This episode also marks a celebratory milestone for ITSP Magazine. Sean and Marco reflect on their journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, the birthplace of ITSP Magazine, and how their experiences have shaped the publication’s mission and growth. As they gear up for Black Hat 2024, they express their excitement about reconnecting with the cybersecurity community and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

Introducing Jess Nall: Expertise and Experience

Jess Nall, a seasoned expert in federal investigations, brings invaluable insights to the discussion. She underscores the severe implications of government scrutiny on CISOs, drawing from high-profile cases like SEC v. SolarWinds and Tim Brown. Jess provides practical advice for CISOs to avoid regulatory pitfalls and highlights the importance of staying vigilant and proactive in their roles.

The Internet’s Troubled History and Its Impact

Marco steers the conversation towards the Internet’s troubled history and its initial lack of security foresight. Jess reflects on how these historical challenges have shaped modern cybersecurity practices, emphasizing the difficulties of keeping up with evolving threats and expanding attack surfaces. She also discusses the controversial strategy of targeting CISOs to influence corporate cybersecurity measures, a practice she staunchly opposes.

The Perfect Storm: AI and Cybersecurity

The discussion turns to the increasing complexity of cybersecurity in the age of AI. Sean and Jess delve into the pressures CISOs face as they balance the incorporation of AI technologies with maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. Jess describes this scenario as a “perfect storm,” making the role of a CISO more challenging than ever.

Regulation and Legislation: A Critical Examination

Marco raises critical concerns about the reactive nature of current cybersecurity legislation and regulation. Jess discusses how federal agencies often target individuals closest to a cybersecurity breach and outlines the topics she will cover in her upcoming Black Hat presentation. She aims to educate CISOs on preventive measures and strategic responses to navigate these challenges effectively.

Looking Ahead: Black Hat 2024

As the episode concludes, Sean emphasizes the importance of awareness and proactive measures among CISOs. Marco encourages listeners to attend Jess Nall’s presentation at Black Hat 2024 on August 7th at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. This critical discussion promises to equip CISOs and their teams with the knowledge and tools to navigate their increasingly scrutinized roles.

Stay Tuned with ITSP Magazine

Sean and Marco remind their audience that this episode is just the beginning of a series of insightful conversations leading up to Black Hat 2024. They invite listeners to stay tuned for more engaging episodes that will continue to explore the dynamic world of cybersecurity.

Be sure to follow our Coverage Journey and subscribe to our podcasts!

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Resources

Learn more about Black Hat USA 2024: https://www.blackhat.com/us-24/

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