Shows
Guardians of the DataKnow Your Crown Jewels: Discovery at the Heart - Bryan DeLuca - Guardians of the Data - Episode #17Do you really know what your organization’s “crown jewels” are? Or how to protect them?Bryan DeLuca, Principal Cybersecurity Engineer and self-proclaimed “Swiss Army knife” for data security programs, shares why every great security strategy starts with understanding your data. With over 25 years of IT and cybersecurity experience across a variety of industries, Bryan dives into what it really means to know your “crown jewels”, the data that would stop your business cold if it were compromised. He also discusses the critical role of trust and mental health in fostering a productive and secure work en...
2025-11-2047 min
Guardians of the DataBuilding an Effective Data Security Program - Matthew Gonzales - Guardians of the Data - Episode #16Are you building a data security program that truly works or just checking the boxes for compliance? In this episode of Guardians of the Data, Matthew Gonzales, Director of Data Security Engineering, shares what it really takes to build and sustain an effective data security program. Drawing from his 20 years of experience, Matthew stresses the importance of having a structured data security strategy, incorporating business objectives, control frameworks, and operating models. The conversation dives into the nuances of stakeholder engagement, effective communication, and proactive governance. Matthew also shares insights from his own journey in t...
2025-11-1349 min
Guardians of the DataHow to Make DLP Work in the Real World - Tobias Simpson - Guardians of the Data - Episode #15In this episode of Guardians of the Data, Ward sits down with Tobias Simpson, Director of Data Security and Security Awareness at Kennesaw State University, to unpack the realities of data classification, governance, and loss prevention in complex organizations. With over 25 years in IT and cybersecurity, Tobias shares hard-earned lessons on building a data-first culture, getting executive buy-in, and using tools like Microsoft Purview to make DLP actually work, without breaking the business. Tobias also highlights the significance of tabletop exercises with departmental cooperation, implementing document matrices, and maintaining strong relationships with technology providers. The conversation concludes with Tobias...
2025-11-0649 min
Guardians of the DataBuilding Resilient Security Champions - Christian Ghigliotty - Guardians of the Data - Episode #14What if the key to stronger data security isn’t technology… but curiosity?In this episode, Christian Ghigliotty, Head of Enterprise Security Engineering, joins us to unpack what it really takes to build a security-first culture in today’s AI-driven world. From champion programs to collaboration councils, Christian shares how curiosity, communication, and connection are redefining how modern teams protect data. He also opens up about his unconventional career path and why he believes writing and relationship-building are two of the most underrated skills in tech. Whether you’re leading enterprise security or just getting started in data pro...
2025-10-3048 min
Guardians of the DataHow AI Is Reshaping Data Security - Adrian Guevara - Guardians of the Data - Episode #13What happens when AI adoption moves faster than your security strategy?Today, Ward sits down with Adrian Guevara, Chief Information Security Officer at TELUS Digital Solutions, to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today: how to secure your business in an AI-driven world. Adrian brings over two decades of IT and cybersecurity experience and a refreshingly candid take on what it really takes to lead through massive change. Adrian shares insights on the impact of AI on businesses, the importance of understanding and tinkering with technology, and the crucial role of building trust and relationships...
2025-10-2348 min
Guardians of the DataSecuring AI and Reclaiming Control of Access - Kraig Faulkner - Guardians of the Data - Episode #12Are we so obsessed with new AI tools that we’ve forgotten the basics of security?Kraig Faulkner, Field CTO at Infolock, joins the show to discuss the pressing challenges and solutions around data security, particularly focusing on AI and access control. Kraig elaborates on the importance of understanding business data, securing AI access, and the necessary steps organizations need to take to prevent data exfiltration. He shares his professional journey and thoughts on the future trends in data security, including a potential shift back to on-prem solutions and the integration of AI into larger security portfolios. Th...
2025-10-1650 min
Guardians of the DataFrom Data Chaos to Clarity - Hans Vargas - Guardians of the Data - Episode #11What happens when your organization doesn’t know what it needs to protect?Today Ward welcomes Hans Vargas, Enterprise Data Protection Lead at Marathon Petroleum Corporation, who brings over two decades of experience in cybersecurity. Hans shares insights on the importance of understanding what data needs to be protected, and the challenges organizations face in this area, especially with the adoption of cloud services. He discusses the significance of communicating the value of data protection to business leaders and data owners, and offers practical advice on data discovery, retention, and governance. Hans emphasizes the necessity of including da...
2025-10-0951 min
Guardians of the DataFrom Data Discovery to Records at Risk - Zach Luze - Guardians of the Data - Episode #10What’s harder than stopping a breach? Convincing leadership your data security program is worth the investment.Zach Luze, Data Security Advisory Practice Director at TBD Cyber joins Ward today to focus on the challenges organizations face in demonstrating the value of data security. Zach explains how the inability to show value can impact budgets and resources, emphasizing that many data security programs struggle with meaningful key performance indicators (KPIs). He suggests a blended approach to data discovery and provides insights into building metrics that highlight the value of security programs. Zach also shares his career journey fr...
2025-10-0254 min
Guardians of the DataTackling Data Sprawl and AI Risks - Daley Varghese - Guardians of the Data - Episode #9Think hackers are your biggest data threat? Think again.Daley Varghese, a seasoned privacy expert, joins Ward Balcerzak to reveal why data sprawl and AI misuse may be even more dangerous, and what companies can do to get ahead. Daley emphasizes the importance of governance strategies, data mapping, and the need for cross-functional collaboration among privacy, security, and data governance teams. The episode also highlights the pressing need for education and clear communication within organizations to mitigate risks and build trust with consumers. Daley shares insights on how to start privacy initiatives, manage assessment fatigue, and the...
2025-09-2542 min
Guardians of the DataWhy the Insider is the Biggest Data Security Threat - Rick Scot - Guardians of the Data - Episode #8How does the accidental insider pose a threat to your company’s security?Today, Ward dives deep into data security challenges with Rick Scot, the global CISO at Elevate Textiles. With almost 20 years of cybersecurity experience, Rick emphasizes the critical importance of addressing insider threats, especially those posed by well-meaning employees unaware of their risky actions. He shares real-world experiences, the evolution of cyber awareness training, the necessity of building strong internal relationships, and insights into his multifaceted career journey. The episode is packed with expert advice for cybersecurity professionals on fostering a culture of security within an...
2025-09-1854 min
Guardians of the DataWhy the 'Why' is More Important than the 'What’ - Derek Fisher - Guardians of the Data - Episode #7What’s the meaning behind the data your team is collecting?Derek Fisher, Director of the Cybersecurity Defense and Information Assurance Program at Temple University, joins Ward to hash out the ‘why’ behind data security. Derek emphasizes the importance of understanding the integrity and proper usage of data, especially in scenarios like healthcare and financial services. The conversation also explores the differences in data security practices across various industries such as healthcare, financial services, and higher education. Derek shares insights on teaching the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and the relevance of the NIST NICE framework in aligni...
2025-09-1157 min
Guardians of the DataCybersecurity’s Weakest Link: Human Risk - Lisa Gunning - Guardians of the Data - Episode #6Human risk is the most unpredictable factor in cybersecurity and insider risk.Lisa Gunning, a counterintelligence and insider risk expert with over 18 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, joins Ward today to dive into human risk. Lisa shares her unique perspective on the human element in cybersecurity, the evolving landscape of insider threats, and the critical importance of building a strong security culture within organizations. The conversation covers the intersection of AI, human behavior, and data protection, offering practical advice for organizations of all sizes. She provides actionable recommendations and stories around her...
2025-09-0455 min
Guardians of the DataThe Data Dilemma: Governance vs. Stewardship - Lance Fischer- Guardians of the Data - Episode #5What’s the balance between data governance and data stewardship?Lance Fischer, Principal Security Architect at Guidepoint Security, joins the show today and dives into the complexities of data security, highlighting the differences between data governance and data stewardship. He emphasizes the significance of visibility and collaboration among stakeholders in maintaining robust data security frameworks. Lance shares insights from his extensive career, revealing the practical challenges and strategies in improving data security through governance, tool rationalization, and pragmatic approaches. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of AI, APIs, and the critical importance of securing sensitive da...
2025-08-2849 min
Guardians of the DataThe 5 Pillars of Data Protection - Trevor Dolan - Guardians of the Data - Episode #4How can cybersecurity professionals balance both the regulatory requirements and the fundamentals of data protection?Today, Trevor Dolan, Cyber Security Executive Advisor at NinjaJobs, shares insights on balancing regulatory compliance with the fundamentals of data protection, designing holistic data protection programs, and the importance of strategic planning. He delves into the five main areas of developing data protection organizations: governance and leadership, risk assessment, policies and procedures, training and awareness, and team and organizational structure. Trevor also offers practical advice for young professionals starting in the field and discusses the significance of building trustworthy relationships with stakeholders...
2025-08-2159 min
Guardians of the DataFrom Tech to Team: People, Culture, Technology - Rick McElroy - Guardians of the Data - Episode #3What are the people concerns when it comes to cybersecurity?Today Ward welcomes seasoned security veteran and CEO of Nexasure, Rick McElroy. Rick, with over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, shares his insights on the primary challenges organizations face in data security, focusing on the often-overlooked human and cultural elements. He emphasizes the importance of education, awareness, and the need for a balanced investment between technology and people. Rick also delves into the dynamics of cross-generational training and the impact of organizational culture on security programs. Additionally, he shares his personal journey in cybersecurity...
2025-08-1449 min
Guardians of the DataEnsuring Business Alignment in Data Security - Rick DeLoach - Guardians of the Data - Episode #2How can you protect your data if you don’t know where it is?The answer is you can’t. Rick DeLoach, Deputy CISO at ADT, joins Ward on this week’s episode to discuss the crucial aspects of data security and governance. Rick shares his two decades of experience in the field, emphasizing the importance of data discovery, classification, and the implementation of structured programs involving process, policy, and technology. The conversation also covers the challenges of integrating AI technologies within organizations and the significance of ongoing business alignment to enhance security practices. Lastly...
2025-08-0742 min
Guardians of the DataThe Human Element of Data Security - Luis Valenzuela - Guardians of the Data - Episode #1How can simplifying your data governance strategy revolutionize your security posture?In the inaugural episode of Guardians of the Data, host Ward Balcerzak sits down with Luis Valenzuela, Director of Data Governance and Data Loss Prevention at InComm Payments. Luis, who brings two decades of cybersecurity experience, dives into the often-overlooked fundamentals of data security. Discover why understanding and categorizing your most critical data is paramount, how robust governance can transform your approach, and the strategic role of tools in a well-defined process. Luis also shares his inspiring journey from Colombia to becoming a cybersecurity leader, highlighting...
2025-07-3148 min
Guardians of the DataGuardians of the Data Trailer!Welcome to Guardians of the Data! Join host, Ward Balcerzak, each week as he dives deep into the passions, expertise, and experiences of CISOs, Chief Data Officers, and more. Guardians of the Data is sponsored by Sentra - AI-powered data security platform that discovers and classifies all your data accurately and automatically to achieve enterprise-scale data protection without the fuss.
2025-07-1500 min
Tech Shield: US vs China UpdatesTing's Cyber Tea: US Raises Shield, China Hacks On! Patch Parties, AI Detectives, and 3AM Breach AlertsThis is your Tech Shield: US vs China Updates podcast.Hey, it’s Ting—your favorite cyber-sleuth with a knack for decoding the drama between the US and China in cyberspace. Bad news for anyone hoping this week would be boring: it’s been wall-to-wall action on the cyber front, and I’ve got the latest on the virtual shield America’s trying to raise against Beijing’s hacks.Let’s get right to it. Following the 2024 exposure of China’s Volt Typhoon group embedding stealthy malware all across US critical infrastructure, the Pentagon and Cybersecurity and Infrastructu...
2025-07-0303 min
Future of Data SecurityEP 4 — Fidelity National Financial’s Ward Balcerzak on Navigating Data Security in a Cloud-First WorldIn this episode of The Future of Data Security Show, Jean speaks with Ward Balcerzak, AVP and Director of Data Security & Insider Risk at Fidelity National Financial, who shares his expertise on the evolving challenges of data security in today’s cloud-first landscape. Ward discusses the critical importance of establishing a comprehensive data inventory and discovery process to effectively manage sensitive information.
Ward also offers his insights into the implications of generative AI on data protection, highlighting the need for robust governance strategies to mitigate risks. With a focus on collaboration across departments, this episode offe...
2024-10-1727 min