Rob Hughes — CISO at RSA and Champion of a Passwordless Future

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 1 - Rob Hughes

Rob Hughes, the CISO at RSA, has more than 25 years of experience leading security and cloud infrastructure teams. In this episode, he reflects on his unconventional career path, from co-founding the original Geek.com and serving as its Chief Technologist during the early days of the internet, to leading security and systems design at Philips Home Monitoring.

Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A. and Kayley Melton welcome Rob for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, leadership, and the realities of modern cybersecurity. Rob currently leads RSA’s Security and Risk Office, overseeing cybersecurity, information security governance, and risk across both RSA’s products and corporate environment.

Rob explains his dream for a passwordless future. He unpacks why passwords remain one of the largest sources of cyber risk, how real-world incidents and password-spraying attacks have accelerated change, and why phishing-resistant technologies like passkeys may finally be reaching a tipping point.

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Rob lightens the conversation with stories about gaming with his kids, underrated horror films, and classic cars.

Follow Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hughes-816067a4/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to No Password Required

01:43 Meet Rob Hughes, CISO at RSA

02:05 The Role of a CISO in a Security Company

05:09 Transitioning to the CISO Role

08:00 The Early Days of Geek.com

12:14 Launching a Startup During the Dot Com Boom

14:30 The Push for a Passwordless Future

18:21 Tipping Point for Passwordless Adoption

20:20 Ongoing Learning in Cybersecurity

26:09 Managing Stress in High-Pressure Environments

33:46 The Lifestyle Polygraph Begins

34:15 Career Insights in Cybersecurity

36:08 Dream Cars and Personal Preferences

39:58 Underrated Horror Films

41:19 Creating a Cybersecurity Monster

Gina Yacone — Virtual CISO at Trace3 and Roller Derby Penalty Box Visitor

Live from B-Sides Jacksonville, No Password Required welcomes Gina Yacone, Virtual CISO at Trace3. Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A. and Sarina Gandy, host and producer of the CyberBay Podcast, host a conversation on Gina’s unconventional career path, leadership under pressure, and the power of community in cybersecurity. With career stops in private investigation, digital forensics, and executive security, Gina brings a people-first, purpose-driven perspective to complex cyber risk.

Gina shares how her early work as a private investigator on high-profile criminal defense cases laid the foundation for her success in cybersecurity. She also reflects on raising her hand for big challenges, the rewards and risks of always saying yes, and how authenticity has guided her. She offers insight on why conference hallway conversations can be just as impactful as keynote sessions.

A visible advocate for the cybersecurity community, Gina speaks openly about setting healthy mentorship boundaries and building resilient professional networks.

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Gina lightens the mood with stories from her roller derby days, dream Amazing Race partners, and why John Wick might just be the ultimate executive assistant.

Follow Gina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginayacone/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and B-Sides Jacksonville

01:16 Gina Yacone's Unique Journey to Cybersecurity

06:22 Navigating Burnout in Cybersecurity

08:06 The Importance of Raising Your Hand

10:04 Adapting Leadership Styles in Different Roles

14:03 Being a Role Model for Women in Cybersecurity

16:34 How to Establish a Good Mentee and Mentor Relationship

18:50 Feedback and Constructive Criticism

22:55 The Value of Hallway Conversations

26:19 The Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun and Insights

38:54 Conclusion and Future Connections

Danny Jenkins — Founder of ThreatLocker and the Zero-Trust Revolution

Danny Jenkins is the CEO of ThreatLocker, the leading cybersecurity company that he built alongside his wife. Hosts Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and Kayley Melton of the Cognitive Security Institute follow Danny’s journey from a scrappy IT consultant to leading one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the world.

Danny shares the moment everything changed: watching a small business nearly collapse after a catastrophic ransomware attack. That experience reshaped his mission and ultimately sparked the creation of ThreatLocker. He also reflects on the gritty early days—cold-calling from his living room, coding through the night, and taking on debt before finally landing their first $5,000 customer.

Danny explains the origins of Zero Trust World, his passion for educating IT teams, and why adopting a hacker mindset is essential for modern defenders.

In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Danny relates his early “revenge tech” against school bullies, the place he escapes to when celebrating big wins, and the movie franchise he insists is absolutely a Christmas classic.

Follow Danny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjenkins/

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and ThreatLocker

02:26 The Birth of ThreatLocker: A Personal Journey

05:42 The Evolution of Zero Trust Security

08:35 Real-World Impact of Cyber Attacks

11:25 The Importance of a Hacker Mindset

14:46 The Role of SOC Teams in Cybersecurity

17:34 Building a Culture of Security

20:23 Hiring for Passion and Skill in Cybersecurity

23:44 Understanding Zero Trust: Trust No One

26:32 Lifestyle Polygraph: Personal Insights and Fun

29:41 Conclusion and Future of ThreatLocker