As I join CyberSaint as Chief Product Officer, I can't help but reflect on the path that led me to this opportunity. In college, I remember listening to Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in my dorm room and being intrigued by its cyclical nature, the beginning tied to the end to create a complete circle. Joining CyberSaint is a very similar path joining the beginning to the end of my professional journey.
Undoubtedly, my journey to CyberSaint is deeply rooted in a sense of unfinished business. My venture into the world of cybersecurity, specifically cyber risk management, began many years ago, September of 1996 to be exact. From the early days of deploying Symantec antivirus, CheckPoint firewalls, and Cisco networking gear to building my first startup in the control compliance space to the present moment, this journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. My first foray into the startup world changed my journey forever, and while we achieved significant milestones, there was always a lingering sense that there was more to be done. Luckily, the dynamic nature of the cybersecurity landscape ensures that there are always new challenges to address and new solutions to be crafted.
What I eventually realized… is that it’s all about risk. But not a risk score or a new fancy algorithm; it’s about quantifying risk to dollars and cents. Security leadership has struggled to get a seat at the table and truly become a C-level executive. That’s because they have not communicated security risks in a way that the CEO, CFO, and Board of Directors understand money. Whether we like it or not, security is a risk that needs to be measured financially, allowing executives to make financial decisions. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one who had realized this, and now, I’m lucky enough to be paired up with those people to solve this problem at CyberSaint.
When the opportunity to join CyberSaint arose, it felt like a calling. At the core of my decision was the company's commitment to its vision for what a true solution to cyber risk could look like. Here was a company fueled by individuals who not only understood the intricacies of cyber risk management but were also leading the charge in redefining how organizations solve it. By starting with quantifiable risks, organizations can now prioritize assessment, measurement, and remediation to communicate the financial impact of cyber risk effectively. Then, by continually assessing controls in an automated fashion, organizations can effectively communicate the financial impact of cyber risk in real-time. You see, we’ve been doing it all wrong, and this was a chance to bring my learnings to a team that shared the same vision.
But beyond the cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas, the people at CyberSaint truly captivated me. The passion and dedication that permeate the company culture are infectious. It's a team that shares a common goal and a relentless drive to make a meaningful impact on the cybersecurity industry in a way that has never been done before.
As I step into the role of Chief Product Officer, I am fueled by a sense of purpose and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. My journey with CyberSaint is not just a continuation of my past experiences but an opportunity to build the future, where possibilities are limitless.
Ultimately, it's about more than just joining a company and having success – it's about changing our industry for the better… a collective effort to redefine how we approach and manage cyber risks. The journey ahead is bound to be challenging as building any startup is, but it is precisely this challenge that fuels my determination and inspires me to make a lasting impact.
Here's to an exciting road ahead.
