Life of a CISO with Dr. Eric Cole
The biggest threat to you and this country today is a cyber attack. Are you protected? Find out now with Dr. Eric Cole, former special agent for the CIA and current CEO of Secure Anchor.
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What It Really Takes to Succeed as a CISO | Guest: Matthew Webster
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole sits down with cybersecurity leader Matthew Webster to explore what it really takes to succeed in the modern CISO role. Matthew shares his journey from IT into federal and commercial cybersecurity, the lessons that shaped his leadership approach, and why technical skills alone aren't enough at the executive level.</p> <p >Together, they discuss the importance of communication, influence, and business alignment, how CISOs can navigate compliance and legal challenges, and why building strong relationships with executives and legal teams is critical. This conversation offers practical insights for...
Why Intellectual Property Is the New Cybersecurity Battleground
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole explains why intellectual property is becoming the most important cybersecurity priority for organizations as artificial intelligence accelerates innovation and imitation. As AI makes products, services, and content easier to replicate, traditional approaches to data security are no longer enough. Dr. Cole breaks down why trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets are now the true differentiators in the market and how failing to protect them directly impacts company valuation and competitiveness.</p> <p >Looking toward 2030 and beyond, this episode challenges outdated security models and shows how cybersecurity, AI, cloud...
The 2026 Reset for Security Leaders
<p >In this New Year's episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole reflects on the challenges of 2025 and delivers a powerful reset framework for CISOs entering 2026. Drawing from real-world coaching, executive leadership principles, and personal experience, Dr. Cole challenges security leaders to stop thinking like technologists and start acting like true chief officers.</p> <p >This episode breaks down three essential pillars every world-class CISO must define: who you need to become, your single top priority, and your North Star. Dr. Cole explains why consistency, discipline, and executive alignment matter more than tools, why most CISOs struggle with...
How AI, Cloud Outages, and Data Protection Will Define Cybersecurity in 2026
<p >As we close out 2025 and prepare for 2026, Dr. Eric Cole breaks down what it truly takes to be a world-class CISO in the year ahead.</p> <p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Cole shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, health, resilience, and why taking care of yourself is foundational to protecting your organization. From personal reflection to executive-level strategy, this episode goes far beyond technical controls.</p> <p >Dr. Cole then dives deep into the three forces reshaping cybersecurity in 2026: artificial intelligence, cloud reliability, and ransomware, all centered around one core principle that too many organizations...
Understanding the Role of a CISO
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole explains why world-class CISOs must think like chief officers—not technicians. Drawing from boardroom experience and real-world cyber events, he breaks down the three threats executives are most concerned about heading into 2026: ransomware, cloud failures, and AI.</p> <p >Dr. Cole unpacks why the Land Rover Jaguar ransomware attack marked a turning point in cybersecurity, showing how a single breach can impact an entire national economy. He also highlights the growing over-reliance on cloud providers, referencing major AWS and Microsoft outages, and warns that organizations are rolling out AI...
Who You Must Become to Be a World-Class CISO
<p >In this powerful episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole shifts the focus from strategy, roadmaps, and organizational security, and puts the spotlight directly on YOU.</p> <p >Instead of asking what you want or why you want it, Dr. Cole explains that the real key to becoming a world-class CISO is asking: Who do you need to become?</p> <p >Dr. Cole breaks down the three types of CISOs, the difference between tactical and true strategic leadership, and what it really means to operate as a corporate officer. From proximity and communication to compensation models, risk...
Gratitude, Giving & Becoming a World-Class CISO
<p >In this special Thanksgiving episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole delivers one of his most personal and powerful messages yet. Before diving into the technical skills of executive briefings and CISO strategy, he shifts focus to something far more foundational: gratitude, giving, and appreciation—the mindset pillars that shape world-class cybersecurity leaders.</p> <p >Dr. Cole shares why gratitude isn't just nice to have — it's essential for peak performance, mental resilience, and long-term success in cybersecurity. He breaks down the five levels of appreciation every CISO should practice (yourself, family, business, country, and the world) and expl...
CISO Priorities for 2026: Health, Leadership & Risk Mastery
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole explains the top priorities every CISO must focus on as we move into 2026. He begins by highlighting the importance of personal health and why nutrition, hydration, and daily habits directly impact your ability to lead and make smart decisions in cybersecurity. After facing his own health challenges and losing friends in the industry, he shares why health must be the starting point for any world-class CISO.</p> <p >Dr. Cole also breaks down what it means to operate as a true chief officer. He covers why CISOs need...
Relationships Over Firewalls with Attila Torok
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole sits down with Attila Torok, CISO at GoTo (formerly LogMeIn), to unpack what it really takes to move from security engineer to strategic leader. </p> <p >Attila shares his journey, the advice that shaped his career, and why "relationships matter more than engineering skills." </p> <p >From mastering executive communication in three bullet points to building your personal brand and navigating AI in the enterprise, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone aspiring to the C-suite in cybersecurity.</p> <p> </p>
Relationships Over Firewalls with Attila Torok
<p >In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole sits down with Attila Torok, CISO at GoTo (formerly LogMeIn), to unpack what it really takes to move from security engineer to strategic leader. </p> <p >Attila shares his journey, the advice that shaped his career, and why "relationships matter more than engineering skills." </p> <p >From mastering executive communication in three bullet points to building your personal brand and navigating AI in the enterprise, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone aspiring to the C-suite in cybersecurity.</p> <p> </p>
