Root To CISO
Do you aspire to become a Chief Information Security Officer?
The Root to CISO podcast provides firsthand career stories from experienced CISOs on their journey to success in the cybersecurity industry. Offering valuable guidance for aspiring professionals in the field through personal experiences and practical advice.
Episodes
56 episodes
Own the Losses, Share the Wins | Cybersecurity Career Advice | Root to CISO Podcast
In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides speaks with Amanda Hartle, CSO and CIO at Prove Identity, about one of the most important leadership lessons she’s learned — and the advice she wishes she could give her younger s...
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3:20
Building Trust and Balance in Cybersecurity Leadership | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, host Kris Rides sits down with Andrew Wilder, cybersecurity leader and former CISO at Nestlé, to discuss how he made the leap from enterprise security to his first CISO role. Andrew shares how moving...
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6:38
You Don’t Need 10 Certifications to Get Hired in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast
CISO Barbee Mooneyhan joins The Root to CISO Podcast to discuss what truly matters when building a cybersecurity career — and it’s not just degrees or certifications. Barbee explains why hands-on experience, community involvement, ...
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6:08
Cybersecurity: Soft Skills for Success | Root To CISO Podcast
In this highlight clip, CISO Don Baham shares why soft skills are just as critical as technical expertise in cybersecurity hiring. From problem-solving and emotional intelligence to learning how to “figure things out,” Don explains what truly m...
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4:33
Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Skills and Certs That Get You Hired | Root To CISO Podcast
In this highlight from The Root to CISO Podcast, Global CISO of Carnival Cruises, Margarita Rivera, shares how she transitioned into cybersecurity without a technical background — and how transferable skills, a strong business mindset, and cont...
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5:32
Career Growth in Cybersecurity | CISO Wisdom from Lori Anello | Root To CISO Podcast
In this Root to CISO highlight, Lori Anello shares the advice she wishes she could give her younger self: don’t let fear hold you back. From taking risks to embracing opportunities, Lori explains why careers in cybersecurity are never a straigh...
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4:15
What Makes a Successful Cybersecurity Leader? More Than You Think | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard, we dive into the lessons she’s learned leading across industries — from healthcare and technology to financial services. Dr. Jay shar...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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37:26
From Public Service to Global Security: A CISO’s Journey | Root to CISO Podcast
In the Season 2 finale of Root to CISO, we sit down with Dr. Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Mastercard and former Deputy CIO of the White House under President Obama. Her path to cybersecurity was anything but tradi...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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34:31
Resumes, Interviews, and Resilience: Career Lessons from a CISO | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part Two of our conversation with Barbee Mooneyhan, CISO at Uplight, we dive into one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity—and beyond: breaking into the industry and advancing your career. Barbee shares practical advice on how to...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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45:58
Finding Your Path in Cybersecurity with Barbee Mooneyhan | Root To CISO Podcast
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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38:10
Navigating the Cybersecurity World with CISO Don Baham | Root To CISO Podcast
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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45:07
Cybersecurity Careers: Building Leadership and Credibility | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of Root to CISO, we sit down with Don Baham, President of Kraft Technology Group and a seasoned security leader, for an open and insightful conversation about the road to executive leadership. Don shares his approach to building...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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38:04
Leading with Accountability and Authenticity in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of Root to CISO, Amanda Hartle, Chief Information Security Officer, reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her career—from early ambitions to executive decision-making. She shares the pivotal advice she’d give her younge...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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56:26
How to Grow In Cybersecurity By Asking the Right Questions | Amanda Hartle | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Amanda Fennell (Hartle)—Chief Security Officer and CIO at Prove Identity—shares her journey from digital forensics to leading enterprise security and technology strategy. Amanda discusses the pivotal...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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47:15
Discovering Cybersecurity and Owning It: With CISO Melina Scotto | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity and how she transformed early career uncertainty into executive leadership. From discovering cybersecurity later in life to leading lar...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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37:57
The Realities of Building a Career in Cybersecurity with Melina Scotto | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, Melina Scotto shares her powerful story of breaking into cybersecurity, growing her career through persistence, and eventually becoming a CISO. From her early days as a network engineer to navigating...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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34:18
Advice for Future Cybersecurity Leaders: Andrew Wilder's Guide | Root To CISO Podcast
Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with cybersecurity executive Andrew Wilder on The Root to CISO Podcast. In this episode, Andrew reflects on his 18-year tenure at Nestlé and shares what kept him there, how strong leadership and succession ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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38:09
Breaking into Cybersecurity: Leadership and Lessons with Andrew Wilder | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Wilder — Top Global CISO, CCISO Hall of Famer, and LinkedIn Top Information Security Voice — to explore his journey from warehouse work to the boardroom. Now the first-ever CI...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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36:27
Career Tips from a Cybersecurity Leader | Kristina Belnap | Root To CISO Podcast
In this follow-up episode, Kristina dives deeper into breaking into cybersecurity, gaining certifications, and the importance of having a mentor. She emphasizes the need for effective communication at all levels, especially when influencing ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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41:54
Breaking Into Cybersecurity: Why Experience Beats Perfect Timing | Root To CISO Podcast
Kristina Belnap, teacher-turned-technologist, and cybersecurity leader joins the Root to CISO Podcast to share her nontraditional career journey. In this episode, Kristina breaks down how her early experience in educat...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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33:17
Risk-Averse to Risk Leader: Lori Anello on Cybersecurity Leadership | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part 2 of our conversation with Lori Anello, she opens up about the emotional and professional transition from a specialized threat role into the CISO seat. Lori talks candidly about being “on the back nine” of her career—no longer chasin...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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37:27
Creating Opportunities: Lori Anello on Hustle, Hard Work and Leadership | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Lori Anello shares her incredible journey — starting work at just 17, discovering a passion for computing by accident, and forging a cybersecurity career long before the wor...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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38:03
Leveling Up in Cybersecurity: Certifications and Career Growth | Root To CISO Podcast
In Part 2 of our conversation with Margarita Rivera, Global CISO at Carnival Corporation, we dive into the certifications that helped shape her cybersecurity career. Margarita shares why the CISSP was both the hardest and most rewarding certifi...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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33:29
How to Become a CISO Without a Tech Background | Root To CISO Podcast
In this episode of The Root to CISO Podcast, Kris chats with Margarita Rivera, Global CISO at Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company. Margarita shares her incredible journey — from starting her career...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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41:51