‘Cyber Touches Everything’: Innovation In The Security Domain

“Task Force 7 Radio” host and information security executive George Rettas was joined by SINET Chairman and Founder Robert Rodriguez on the Feb. 12 broadcast of his show. Topics included Silicon Valley innovation, pressing cyber security needs, technology collaboration across sectors and the current tone of tenor of the cyber topics in the boardroom.

Rettas kicked off the show with a discussion of security risk at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“If you’re not using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technologies, just turn them off,” Rettas said of device usage at sports’ biggest stage. “It’s almost akin to attending a Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. It seems that if you even turn your phone or laptop on, you’re bound to get hacked, in a matter of seconds.”

Rettas said that in the emerging technology space, security must be at the forefront of what’s developed and built.

“Cyber security initiatives have to evolve from risk and value,” Rettas repeated.

The host was then joined by Rodriguez, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service, who’s now the chairman and founder of the Security Innovation Network (SINET), which connects buyers, builders, investors, and others in the cyber ecosystem. It accelerates opportunities via strategic advisory services and community-building.

On his own background, Rodriguez said, “The mission and culture of the Secret Service shaped me into more of an individual and as a founder and chairman of SINET, bringing core principles and values to the integrity of our brand.”

“I fell in love with the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley,” Rodriguez said. “I saw an opportunity to make a difference, and I’ve never looked back since then.”

On collaborating across sectors, Rodriguez said, “The importance of collaboration is critical between the public and private sector. In, say, 2001, or 2002, those words meant nothing – they were overused. There was a lack of deliverables. The words took a hit. But, over the last five years…they’ve been used more meaningfully.”

Rodriguez suggested that there must be financial support from governments to ensure the growth and security of critical infrastructure, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers in the cyber domain.

“CISOs have been elevated to executive risk officers,” Rodriguez continued. “They’re not as highly technical as they were five or 10 years ago… CISOs sit on publicly traded organizations as board members. That’s the transition and change I’ve witnessed over the years.”

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On advancements in the space, Rodriguez said that it comes down to the “ability to move at warp speed within industry and the dynamic environment that’s been created – with dynamic platforms, the gig economy (etc.).”

Although private industry does not have the same regulations and barriers as government, Rodriguez still said that the talent embedded in the public sector is strong.

“They’re working not because of money but because of passion and a mission they believe in,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a purpose and commitment to protect the well-being of citizens, our privacy and our freedoms.”

In terms of research and development (R&D), Rodriguez hinted that private industry may still have the lead in innovation.

In a CISO role, the workload often comes down to prioritizing and maximizing resources in place. On the matter, Rodriguez said, “At the end of the day, the CISO, or CIO, has $1 they can spend on five things out of 20. I believe knowledge is king. AI, machine learning, deep learning – they’re going to transform the way we view the insider threat.”

Rodriguez called the “needle in the haystack” approach “old news.” Now it’s about finding needles in the haystack and prioritizing that, making it actionable in real time.

Another crucial area Rodriguez pointed to was “resiliency,” and managing imminent threats – and keeping damage to the network(s) minimal.

“There’s so much noise out there between vendors, emails, data, LinkedIn (etc.),” Rodriguez said. “I believe in that old bank commercial: ‘One customer at a time.’ I’m old-school in that regard. When I evangelize…I have a mission statement, purpose and commitment – a tone, to what I’m talking about. All of us have a calling. We’re blessed to be in this field.”

Rodriguez said that, oftentimes, it’s about taking a step back to realize how significant cyber security is in protecting privacy, brands and inherent freedoms.

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Much of the progress in cyber security, Rodriguez confirmed, will come down to innovation and entrepreneurial spirit and vision. He said that these folks have: vision, passion, the ability to dream and to see gaps within the marketplace.

“The best way to advance innovation is increase awareness that betters society,” the SINET founder said.

He also touched upon the meteoric rise in cyber security and its standing within the enterprise and government. He said that according to interviews conducted in Davos, CEOs cited natural disasters, the climate, and cyber security as their top concerns.

“Cyber touches everything,” the SINET founder said. “It has become like the air we breathe. Cyber is everywhere. Because of that, the footprint of vulnerabilities continues to increase with the proliferation of phones, apps, the IoT market (which is massive and unprotected) and third party risk management, which is another difficult and challenging area.”

What makes the day-to-day particularly challenging? CEOs of early-stage and emerging companies say that they have a difficult time getting to the CISO, Rodriguez said. His prescription: building more of a mission-based business culture that fosters partnership and trust.

“Even though we’re in this digitized world…you’re never going to replace trust and a handshake,” Rodriguez said.

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