Episodes

  • Episode 25- Building a Worldclass Product Security Program
    Apr 15 2025

    In this episode of Securing the Future podcast, we sat down with James Zollinger, one of the first security hires at Netflix, to unpack what made their product security team one of the best in the business.🧠 From helping Netflix scale securely from DVDs to streaming🔐 To embedding security into user experience from Day 1📈 To leading cross-functional privacy and security initiatives at Humane⚠️ And learning the hard truths about what breaks when companies grow past 1,500 people…James drops lessons that every CISO, security engineer, and product leader should hear — especially if you’re trying to shift left, build a security-first culture, or lead with context, not compliance.💥 You’ll hear: • Why UX matters more than you think in product security • The hard pivot from organic security culture to consultant-style models • How Netflix redefined product security org structures • Why building your own security protocol might make sense • And what “making a breach embarrassing (for others)” actually means 😮🎙️ Hosted by Jesse Meadors & Ramin LameiIf you’re serious about securing the future of your product — don’t miss this one.#ProductSecurity #Cybersecurity #SecuringTheFuture #PrivacyByDesign #SecurityLeadership #StartupSecurity #ShiftingLeft

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    40 mins
  • Episode 24 - Founder Mentality, Building a Successful Cybersecurity Company
    Apr 2 2025

    In this episode of Securing the Future podcast we interviewed Andrew Peterson who is the co-founder of Signal Sciences a successful cybersecurity start up that was acquired by Fastly for $775M in 2020! Since then Andrew and his partner Nick have invested into 36 different cybersecurity companies and through this experience he has learned the keys to success in not only building a company but specifically a cybersecurity focused company. In this episode, we answer some of the following questions:-How do I know if I have a product that clients will actually use?-Should I consider paying for a coach to help me as a founder?-What is the value of coaching?-What is a day in the life of a founder like?-What are the biggest struggles you face when founding a company?-Is there somewhat of a formula for success in building a successful cybersecurity company?Check out this episode and don't forget to like and subscribe to see more great content!#cybersecurity #founder #company #building #coaching #securingthefuture

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    42 mins
  • Episode 22- Fastest Growing Cybersecurity Sector
    Feb 12 2025

    📢 The Fastest Growing Trend in Cybersecurity: Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) 🚀


    🔒 In this episode ofSecuring the Future, we explore theexplosive growth of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) and why it’s becoming amust-have for modern cybersecurity teams.


    We sit down withGuy Shani, CEO and co-founder ofPolar Security (acquired by IBM), to discuss:

    ✅ Thebiggest challenges companies face withcloud data security

    ✅ HowAI adoption is increasingdata risk and what to do about it

    ✅ The critical need forcontinuous monitoring & compliance

    ✅ Thefuture of data protection and how companies can stay ahead


    If yourdata is in the cloud, SaaS apps, or data warehouses, this episode is a must-listen! Protecting yoursensitive data is no longer optional—it’s essential.


    🎧Listen now and future-proof your security strategy!


    📢 Don’t forget tolike, comment, and subscribe for more cutting-edge cybersecurity insights!


    #Cybersecurity #DataSecurity #CloudSecurity #DSPM #SecOps #AI #CyberRisk #CloudComputing #TechPodcast #CyberThreats #InfoSec #SecuringTheFuture

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    33 mins
  • Episode 21 - Evolution of AppSec
    Jan 21 2025

    Kick off the new year with Jesse Meadors and Ramin Lamei in the first Securing the Future episode of 2025! This time, we’re joined by Derek Samford, a seasoned security leader with over 25 years of experience in IT, network engineering, and application security, currently heading product and infrastructure security for a leading fintech company. In This Episode: • 🚀 The Evolution of Application Security: From perimeter-based models to zero trust and beyond. • 🤖 Generative AI in Security: Exploring tools, risks, and the future of AI-assisted threat modeling and remediation. • 🌐 Cloud Security Challenges: Visibility, the convergence of tools, and securing highly regulated industries. • 💡 Security Champions Programs: How they drive cultural change, foster ownership, and build empathy across engineering teams. Derek brings invaluable insights into how to navigate the rapidly shifting security landscape, adopt effective tools, and align security strategies with business goals. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting in cybersecurity, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stay ahead in 2025. 🔒 Let’s work together to secure the future. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert insights! #SecuringTheFuture #Cybersecurity #ApplicationSecurity #GenerativeAI #CloudSecurity

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    36 mins
  • Episode 20 - Security Leadership, Back to the Basics
    Nov 18 2024

    Leadership in cybersecurity isn’t just about managing risk—it’s about inspiring others, fostering trust, and creating a culture where security becomes everyone’s responsibility. In this episode, Jesse Meadors and Ramin Lamaie dive deep into what makes a great security leader with special guest Wayne Dennis, a seasoned security executive with expertise in product and engineering leadership.


    🛡️ Key Topics Covered:

    • The difference between leadership and management in security roles.

    • The three fundamentals of cybersecurity leadership: competency, empathy, and a bias for action.

    • Balancing technical expertise with the business acumen required for modern CISOs.

    • How to influence and communicate effectively as a security leader in complex environments.

    • Building the next generation of leaders and the importance of mentorship.

    • Game-changing book recommendations that shaped today’s top leaders.


    Wayne shares invaluable insights from his career, including how to align security leadership with broader business goals, develop leaders within your team, and foster an organization-wide culture of security awareness. Whether you’re an aspiring CISO or a seasoned security pro, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and actionable takeaways.


    🔗 Don’t miss this insightful episode! Like, subscribe, and join us for more conversations at the intersection of security, leadership, and innovation.

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    35 mins
  • Episode 19 - Am I Dreaming? Unified API for Security Tools?
    Oct 23 2024

    In this episode of the Securing the Future podcast, hosts Jesse Meadors and Ramin Lamei dive into an exciting new solution for security tooling integrations. For the first time, they conduct a vendor review with Kabir, co-founder of Lean, a company developing a unified API for security tools.


    Kabir shares the fascinating origin story behind Lean, detailing how their team—despite limited security backgrounds—came together to address the challenge of tool sprawl in cybersecurity. With over 4,000 security vendors and tens of thousands of products in the market, Lean’s unified API helps normalize and streamline data across multiple platforms, making security operations more efficient.


    Join the discussion to learn about the team’s journey, Lean’s innovative solution, and how it’s already being used by security vendors, MSSPs, and more. Whether you’re a CISO, security practitioner, or a tech startup founder, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of security integrations and the challenges of building internal tooling.


    🔗 Explore Lean’s platform: leen.dev

    📚 Learn more from their documentation: docs.leen.dev


    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with industry leaders!


    #CyberSecurity #APIs #SecurityTools #SecOps #VendorReview #SecuringTheFuture #LeanAPI #SecurityIntegrations

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    34 mins
  • Episode 18 - Evolution of Next Generation SecOps
    Oct 9 2024

    Welcome to another insightful episode of the Securing the Future podcast, hosted by Jesse Meadors and Ramin Lamei. In this episode, titled “Evolution of Next Gen SecOps”, we are joined by Chris Bates, former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of SentinelOne, to dive into the transformation of Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and how next-generation tools are reshaping the way security teams operate.


    Chris shares his expert insights on how security has evolved, focusing on key innovations such as big data platforms, XDR (Extended Detection and Response), and the automation that is driving a new way of thinking in the SOC. He details the challenges of alert fatigue, the importance of context-driven threat modeling, and how automation can provide real-time responses to security threats.


    Ramin reflects on his experience running SOCs in the past, highlighting how tools and practices have changed, while Jesse facilitates a discussion on how these advancements enable security teams to reduce burnout, streamline incident response, and develop stronger communication with business stakeholders.


    Key takeaways include:


    • The shift from traditional SOC models to AI-driven, automated threat response systems.

    • The role of big data and tools like XDR in transforming SOC efficiency.

    • How automation can reduce alert fatigue and improve incident response times.

    • The impact of generative AI in providing actionable context to security alerts.

    • Insights into future-proofing your SOC for emerging cybersecurity challenges.


    Whether you’re a security leader or an industry professional, this episode offers critical insights into the future of security operations and how to stay ahead of the curve.


    Make sure to subscribe to Securing the Future for more in-depth discussions on cutting-edge cybersecurity topics, and leave a comment with your thoughts on the evolution of SOCs!


    #SecOps #Cybersecurity #NextGenSOCs #Automation #XDR #CyberThreats #IncidentResponse #GenerativeAI #SecurityInnovation

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    26 mins
  • Episode 17- Conversation with Security Start-Up Investor
    Sep 26 2024

    In this exciting episode of Securing the Future, hosts Jesse Meadors and Ramin Lamaie dive into the fast-evolving world of cybersecurity startups with special guest Hank Thomas, former NSA cyber ops expert and managing partner at Strategic Cyber Ventures. Together, they explore the future of cybersecurity and the critical role of venture capital in shaping it.


    Topics covered:


    • Why CISOs are cutting back from 150+ security tools to just a few key solutions

    • How to navigate the AI hype in cybersecurity and identify real innovations

    • The role of AI in enhancing security operations and eliminating menial tasks

    • Insights into successful cybersecurity startup investments, including notable acquisitions (VMware, Commvault, ThreatConnect)

    • The growing importance of mission-driven cybersecurity startups to tackle national security threats

    • How AI is revolutionizing threat detection and incident response in the commercial sector

    • Hank’s unique investment approach: Why cybersecurity needs a Special Forces mentality

    • The future of AI copilots and the next frontier for offensive security operations


    Whether you’re a security leader, a startup founder, or just passionate about the future of cybersecurity, this episode is packed with valuable insights on where the industry is headed and how to succeed in a crowded vendor landscape.


    🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on the latest trends in cybersecurity and hear more from industry leaders!


    #CyberSecurity #AIinSecurity #VentureCapital #ThreatDetection #CyberStartups #SecOps #AI

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    33 mins