Description

🎙️ Episode 3: Securing the Hybrid Workforce with Rico Mariani

Host: Dr. Kenneth Johnson

Guest: Rico Mariani, Veteran Software Performance Engineer & Longtime Microsoft Leader

Duration: ~20 minutes

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Secured with Dr. KJ, Dr. Kenneth Johnson sits down with Rico Mariani, a veteran technologist with decades of experience at Microsoft and a deep background in software performance engineering. Known for his strategic thinking and advocacy for diversity in tech, Rico shares valuable insights on how organizations can better approach security in a hybrid workforce era.

They explore key challenges with BYOD, transitioning to cloud environments, and the critical need to understand your internal inventory before building outward. Rico also dives into why tailored security matters, how to assume compromise as a defense model, and the human side of securing flexible work.

What You’ll Learn:

• The security risks introduced by hybrid and remote work
• Why visibility and inventory are the foundation of modern security
• Strategies for managing BYOD in enterprise environments
• How to align infrastructure with user needs and risk
• Why tailored access and device assumptions matter
• The connection between good security and organizational readiness

Key Takeaways:

• Understand your inventory before building your security stack.
• Get your internal systems in order before expanding into hybrid/cloud.
• Assume devices are compromised to strengthen overall defense.
• Tailor security to roles and business needs for smarter access control.
• BYOD success requires flexibility, awareness, and clear boundaries.

Memorable Quote:

“Assume they’re connecting with a compromised device. That mindset changes how you design your defenses.” – Rico Mariani

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.