In this episode of The New CISO, host Steve Moore speaks with Iain Paterson, Chief Information Security Officer at Well Health Technologies, about his unconventional path into cybersecurity and the lessons learned from building programs across industries—from banking and healthcare to breach response and beyond.

From skipping college to take an eight-month technical boot camp to leading enterprise security programs, Iain shares how curiosity, hands-on experience, and communication skills shaped his journey. He opens up about the realities of hiring in cybersecurity, why foundational IT work still matters, and how soft skills like empathy and composure are essential for effective leadership. Iain also reflects on leading through high-stress incidents, including the Ashley Madison breach, and explains why staying calm, communicating clearly, and maintaining emotional intelligence define the “new CISO.”

Key Topics Covered:

• A nontraditional start: skipping college for certifications and hands-on learning
• Why technical foundations—servers, networks, and support—still matter
• The problem with “boilerplate” resumes and lack of real-world experience
• Why soft skills are a security superpower: communication, patience, and empathy
• Transitioning from technician to business enabler in cybersecurity
• How early help desk experience builds composure and problem-solving ability
• Lessons from running vulnerability management in large-scale banking
• Learning resilience and resourcefulness as a one-person security team in healthcare
• Behind the scenes of the Ashley Madison breach: stress, responsibility, and empathy
• Why composure, calm communication, and credibility matter in crisis response
• The leadership evolution from technical expert to executive decision-maker
• Building peer networks and finding mentorship to combat isolation as a CISO

Iain’s story highlights how real experience, emotional intelligence, and community support transform good technologists into exceptional leaders. His insights remind us that cybersecurity isn’t just about defense—it’s about communication, composure, and connection.

In this episode of The New CISO (Episode 137), host Steve Moore speaks with Gideon Knocke, CISO at Visage Imaging, about rethinking how we grow in our careers and why learning to “think outside the job” is key to long-term success.

From studying cybersecurity when the field was still new to leading security for millions of patient records in healthcare, Gideon shares how his early curiosity and “career accidents” helped shape his mindset as a modern CISO. He reflects on shifting from technical problem-solving to people-centric leadership, learning how visibility and credibility shape opportunity, and why networking—inside and outside your company—is essential for resilience and growth. Gideon also explains why risk quantification isn’t just about numbers, but about decision-making, communication, and understanding what your organization truly values.

Key Topics Covered:

• Early lessons from studying cybersecurity before it went mainstream
• Why some of the best careers evolve through “happy accidents” and curiosity
• How to build visibility and relevance beyond doing good work
• The difference between being seen as an asset versus a person
• How networking and outreach can transform your mindset and open new doors
• Turning fear of public speaking into confidence through preparation and iteration
• The leadership balance between taking accountability and fostering team candor
• Why large-organization politics can hinder honest communication
• The art of quantifying risk for better decision-making, not just reporting
• Why the new CISO must start with company beliefs and build security on shared values

Gideon’s journey reveals that career success often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone—whether that’s reaching out to 100 strangers on LinkedIn, giving your first talk, or reframing how you communicate risk. His insights remind leaders that growth begins when you stop thinking only about your job and start thinking about your impact.

In this episode of The New CISO (Episode 136), host Steve Moore speaks with Carl Cahill, CISO, about a deliberate, methodical approach to career growth—and why every leader must “pick their pain” to progress.

From combat arms in the U.S. Army to Active Directory engineering and large-enterprise incident response, Carl shares the pivotal choices that shaped his leadership. He opens up about moving from certifications to business fluency, using a personal gap analysis to chart his path to the C-suite, and how feedback like being called a “propeller head” pushed him to translate geek speak into the language of finance, law, and strategy. Carl also explains his five-phase 100-day plan, why IR readiness comes first, and how “radical collaboration” defines the modern CISO.

Key Topics Covered:

• Early career pivots: Army leadership, perseverance, and precision → IT foundations
• Certifications as a fast track (then) vs. blended learning and passion projects (now)
• The “pick your pain” decision: staying comfortable vs. returning to school to advance
• Building a CISO gap analysis from job reqs and targeting stretch assignments
• Upgrading the lexicon: finance, legal, and general management (e.g., Wharton GMP)
• Turning tough feedback into growth: from geek speak to boardroom dialogue
• Consulting variety vs. ownership: when to switch for long-term impact
• The 100-day plan: assess → plan → act → measure → adjust (with IR first)
• Stakeholder mapping, team SWOTs, and making strategy stick beyond 90 days
• Metrics as a “health language” and why today’s CISO must be a radical collaborator

Carl’s story shows how intentional trade-offs—education, language, and leadership style—compound into career momentum. His roadmap helps CISOs and aspiring leaders navigate transitions with discipline, communicate across the business, and build resilient teams that lead with clarity.