In this episode, Michael Piacente shares insights on career transitions in IT and security, the evolving role of CISOs, and the impact of AI on security talent and practices. Discover how community, storytelling, and strategic hiring shape the future of cybersecurity leadership.

Resources

The 2026 Global CISO Leadership Report

Hitch Partners

NIST AI Framework

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This episode of the Cloud Security Today podcast is a little different from the others because this time host Matthew Chiodi gives the interviewer’s seat over to Yousuf Khan and they talk about an exciting new development in Matt’s career.

Matt announces a big career move and talks about how he’s hoping to fix some of the biggest problems in SaaS security today. He tells Yousuf about his new role and the fresh approach that his new company is bringing to the field. At the end of the episode, they discuss working in a start-up environment and give advice to anyone considering working in a start-up.

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Timestamps

[0:28] Matt introduces the topic for today’s episode

[1:50] Exciting news from Matt about his latest career move

[5:10] Matt explains one of the biggest challenges in app security today

[7:25] How have we managed app security up to now?

[9:20] So how does Cerby work?

[11:32] Matt’s new role at Cerby and an outline of his first few months

[12:50] Why Matt likes working in a start-up environment

[14:05] How Matt became interested in Cerby

[16:20] What’s next for Cerby?

[18:10] The advice that Matt would give to anyone looking to join a start-up

[20:40] Yousuf adds his thoughts about working for a start-up

Episode Links
Ridge Ventures
Yousuf Khan's Linkedin Profile
Cerby's website
Matt's Linkedin Profile

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In this conversation, MK Palmore shares insights from his diverse leadership journey, spanning the Marine Corps, FBI, and cybersecurity. He emphasizes the importance of a people-centered leadership approach, the balance between technical and leadership skills, and the significance of effective communication. MK reflects on his experiences, the impact of mentorship, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in leadership roles. MK highlights the challenges in attracting diverse talent to cybersecurity and the necessity of nurturing new professionals. He concludes with insights on continuous learning and the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset.

Takeaways

• Diverse experiences shape leadership philosophy.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in professional development.
• Silence from leaders can lead to assumptions and uncertainty.
• Leaders should increase communication during times of uncertainty.
• Maintaining a mindset of continuous learning is vital for personal growth.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Leadership and Music

02:57
Diverse Leadership Experiences

06:05
The Importance of People-Centered Leadership

09:05
Technical Skills vs. Leadership Skills

11:49
Communication as a Leadership Skill

14:53
Learning from Mistakes in Communication

18:01
The Impact of Silence in Leadership

20:44
Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership

25:06
Bridging the Gap: Technical and Business Communication

30:22
Building Personal Brand and Eminence

32:53
Overcoming Barriers in Cybersecurity Talent Acquisition

38:31
Staying Sharp: Continuous Learning and Adaptability