In this episode, Expert Insights speaks with David Badanes, Human Risk Leader at Hoxhunt, about the findings from Hoxhunt’s 2026 Phishing Trends Report and what they mean for security teams trying to keep pace with AI-powered threats.
In this episode:

• Why AI has made high-quality phishing attacks accessible to any threat actor

• How phishing has expanded beyond email into calendars, SMS, and social platforms

• Why human-centric security training is now a business-critical investment

• How to spot AI-generated phishing emails before your users click

Recommended for CISOs, security awareness leads, and HR and risk leaders building a human-centered approach to cyber defense.

Sponsored by Hoxhunt.

In this episode, we share insights from 8 leaders at the conference, from the rise of shadow AI and autonomous agents to the reality that humans can’t keep up with machine-speed threats.

We explore how phishing is evolving, why agents are becoming a new insider risk, and how CISOs are being pushed to their limits as governance struggles to keep pace.

The big takeaway? Cybersecurity is becoming AI vs AI, and the organizations that put the right guardrails in place will come out ahead.

Key Timestamps:

• 00:49 - Everyone’s a developer now (The rise of AI agents)

• 01:22 – Shadow AI is already out of control

• 05:04 – The tipping point: AI vs AI security

• 09:25 – Phishing at machine speed

• 12:44 – The CISO breaking point (and what comes next)

• Why identity management is now the top attack vector

• How agentic AI can reduce alert fatigue and analyst burnout

• Why AI is becoming the new security perimeter

• How to rethink your SOC strategy with a platform-first approach

Recommended for CISOs, SOC leaders, and security analysts looking at AI-powered security operations.
Sponsored by Securonix

In this episode, Expert Insights speaks with Amber Britton, CEO of Doppler, about why secrets sprawl is one of the most underestimated risks in cybersecurity today.

In this episode:

• Why secrets sprawl is a growing and often overlooked security risk

• How AI agents are reshaping secrets management

• How to think about non-human identities in your security strategy

• Why developer experience is central to building a more secure organization

Recommended for CISOs, security engineers, and developers working on secrets management, cloud security, or AI-driven workflows.
Sponsored by Doppler

In this episode, we’ve included two of the interviews that Mirren conducted during the week. The first is from Scott Richards, SVP, AI & Discovery, and Cybersecurity, and the other from Muhi Majzoub, EVP of Cybersecurity Engineering at OpenText. The guests discuss the evolving nature of cybersecurity regulation, AI advances, and the steps that organizations need to take to protect themselves.

First with Netwrix, and now with Action1, Walters has a track record of building highly successful cybersecurity companies, laser focused on a specific niche.

What set Walters on this path?

It began with writing software. An early appreciation of scale and the realization that writing code alone couldn’t deliver impact fast enough pushed him and business partner Alex Vovk toward executing their own product vision.

From here, the pair launched Netwrix and Action1 into profitable, founder led businesses with no outside capital or investor pressure. Today, Netwrix is a multibillion-dollar organization with thousands of employees.

With Action1, Walters and Vovk are doing it again—but with even bigger ambition. They reinvested $20 million of their own capital to build a cloud-native platform engineered for the remote-work era. The bet has paid off. Action1 is now the fastest-growing private software company in America.

In this episode, Expert Insights’ Head of Content, Joel Witts, sits down with Mike Walters to explore his career and how patching is an often overlooked area of cybersecurity - as well as the parallels between building a company and surfing.

Host, Caitlin Harris, and Producer, Alex Zawalnyski, discuss insights from guests about work-life balance, the role of AI, compliance, and building a strong security culture, highlighting the unique perspectives women bring to the industry.

• (00:53) - Reflections on the Podcast Journey

• (03:05) - The Importance of Continuous Learning in Cybersecurity

• (05:40) - Diversity of Backgrounds in Cybersecurity

• (08:44) - Work-Life Balance and Avoiding Burnout

• (11:34) - Collaboration in Cybersecurity

• (14:42) - The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

• (17:29) - Compliance as a Springboard for Security Success

• (19:16) - Building a Strong Security Culture

Dana and Tia share decades of experience and industry accolades, offering actionable advice that any cybersecurity professional—or aspiring leader—can use to improve their career, team, and organization.

Listen now to hear from two of the top women shaping cybersecurity leadership today.

Inside this episode:

(01:20) - Introduction

(07:30) - The biggest challenges that modern CISOs are facing

(14:20) - How Agentic AI changes everything

(18:25) - The one thing that would make life easier

(26:30) - Fostering a culture of collaboration and accessibility

(32:55) - What does the future hold?

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Janine, Siroui, and Libby share decades of executive experience, offering practical insights for aspiring leaders, current executives, and anyone curious about the realities of running a tech organization.

Press play now to learn from the women shaping the future of cybersecurity from the top.

Inside this episode:

(01:20) - Introduction

(03:15) - The Role of Cybersecurity in boardroom decisions

(09:10) - Communication strategies for technical topics

(15:00) - The perception of women in the C-suite

(21:00) - Advice for people looking to forage a career in the C-suite

(28:20) - The CEO difference

(32:50) - Baking security into every decision

(40:45) - What sort of legacy do you want to leave?

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

A: A culture that makes employees actually care about the security of their business.

And we’re not just talking about awareness training and password policies.

In this episode of Women In Cyber, host Caitlin Harris talks with Anne Cutler (Keeper Security), Molly McLain Sterling (Proofpoint), and Khush Kashyap (Vanta) about how you can cultivate a strong security mindset across your entire organization.

Anne, Molly, and Khush share decades of experience leading global cybersecurity strategy, education, and governance initiatives, offering practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to strengthen their organization’s security culture.

Listen now to learn how these women are making security more human—and more effective.

Inside this episode:

(01:20) - Introduction

(02:50) - Strategies for creating an effective, organization-wide security culture

(08:00) - How to make security a shared responsibility

(13:10) - The role of employee training

(21:10) - Measuring success of culture changes

(30:20) - The importance of GRC in building a strategy

(36:45) - The place for empathy within cybersecurity

(39:00) - The changes that women are making today

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Nicole, Laura, and Emanuela bring decades of experience across threat intelligence, data strategy, and AI product innovation, offering insights and inspiration for anyone looking to innovate at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

Listen now to learn from the women shaping the future of AI in cyber.

Inside this episode:

(01:30) – Introduction

(06:50) - The rise of Agentic AI

(13:25) - The risks and rewards of deploying AI in the SOC

(17:50) - The cases where AI shouldn’t be used

(25:00) - How do you expect threat actors to harness AI?

(30:00) - How women in cyber becomes a way of life

(33:20) - Developing AI for technical and non-technical users

(36:10) - Advice for breaking into the Cyber AI space

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Sezaneh and Courtney share decades of experience at the intersection of policy, risk management, and national security, providing actionable insights for anyone looking to understand or influence the evolving regulatory landscape.

Play now to hear from the women shaping the rules of cybersecurity.

Inside this episode:

(01:30) - Introduction

(4:50) - Proactive cybersecurity risk management

(08:55) - Understanding cybersecurity insurance misconceptions

(13:50) - Quantifying risk in an evolving landscape

(18:00) - The geopolitical risks of cybersecurity policies

(25:00) - The accessibility of cybersecurity resources

(29:15) - Aligning security with business goals

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Margaret, Kavita, and April share their experiences leading product strategy, developing enterprise solutions, and combining technical expertise with user-focused design—offering actionable insights for anyone working at the intersection of cybersecurity, technology, and innovation.

Listen now to learn how these women are shaping the next generation of cybersecurity products.

Inside this episode:

(01:30) - Introduction

(06:20) - Balancing innovation with governance in security products

(13:00) - The role of user feedback in shaping impactful solutions

(19:20) - The role of Agentic AI in the future of cybersecurity

(27:40) - The intersection between cybersecurity and national security policy

(37:40) - How can you build trust with new security tools

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Melissa, Rebecca, and Kristina share their journeys into threat research, revealing insights that can help any threat analyst, SOC, or IT team stay ahead of the curve.

Listen now to learn from the women uncovering threats before they hit.

Inside this episode:(00:00) – Introduction

(02:49) – Finding a path into cybersecurity research

(08:51) – A day in the life of a threat intelligence expert

(12:12) – Challenges and opportunities within security research

(19:31) – Traits for success in security research

(23:44) – The role of collaboration in cybersecurity

(26:02) – Emerging threats and trends shaping the industry

(31:16) – How the security research space needs to evolve

(35:00) – Translating threat intelligence into actionable defenses

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

Audra and Olga share their journeys from “ground zero” to leadership, offering actionable lessons for anyone aiming to succeed in cybersecurity.

Press play now to learn from women who’ve navigated the path and paved the way.

Inside this episode:

(00:00) – Introduction

(02:32) – Landing your first cybersecurity role, even with a non-traditional background

(08:18) – The power of cross-skilling in a fast-evolving field

(12:05) – Navigating entry-level challenges

(14:35) – Real-world strategies for thriving under pressure and maintaining a healthy work-life balance

(23:06) – Imposter syndrome and gender bias: tips for building an inclusive work environment

(26:57) – Career growth, sponsorship, and mentoring opportunities

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster. 

In this episode of Women In Cyber, host Caitlin Harris sits down with Poornima DeBolle (Menlo Security) and Kris Bondi (Mimoto), to uncover the triumphs, challenges, and lessons learned along their founding journeys.

Poornima and Kris share their firsthand insights as industry pioneers, innovators, and leaders shaping cybersecurity today.

Listen now to get insider stories and actionable lessons from women who are rewriting the rules of tech entrepreneurship.

Inside this episode:

(00:00) – Introduction

(03:12) – The pivotal moments that sparked their startup journeys

(07:56) – The role of co-founders and team dynamics

(11:45) – Balancing career ambitions and personal life

(16:29) – Moments of validation as a founder

(20:27) – Lessons that could make—or break—a cybersecurity startup

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster. 

In this first introduction, host Caitlin Harris and producer Alex Zawalnyski reveal how Women In Cyber came to life—from the spark that inspired it, to the vision behind the series. It is a podcast designed to amplify voices too often left out of the cybersecurity conversation.

This season, they’ll spotlight brilliant minds and spark conversations that challenge the traditional assumptions of who belongs in cybersecurity.

This is your front-row seat to the stories often overlooked within cybersecurity.

Hit play and get inspired.

Inside this episode:

(00:00) – Introducing the Women In Cyber podcast

(01:09) – Introducing Caitlin and Alex

(02:22) – The moment that inspired the podcast

(05:05) – How this series will spotlight the personal stories, diverse career paths, and unique perspectives of women in cybersecurity

(07:52) – Key themes and highlights that emerged during recording

(13:29) – Choosing a name

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights helps security and IT professionals make smarter, faster cybersecurity decisions. We cut through the noise with clear, free, and unbiased shortlists, guides, and expert articles, so you can find the right tools, faster.

This is a space dedicated to amplifying the voices of women across the cybersecurity industry. In each episode, we’ll host a panel conversation that showcases not only the technical side of cybersecurity, but also the personal stories, diverse career paths, and unique perspectives that women bring to this field.

Our goal is simple: to create a community where women can share experiences, celebrate achievements, and spark conversations that challenge the traditional assumptions of who belongs in cybersecurity.

So whether you’re just starting out, growing your career, or leading the way, this podcast is for you. Let’s learn, connect, and build a stronger, more inclusive cybersecurity community—together.

What if vibe coding — the wave of developers using AI assistants to generate code — could actually lead to better security outcomes?

Today, host Joel Witts is joined by Manoj Nair, Chief Innovation Officer at Snyk, to explore how AI is transforming the way we build and secure software.

From his early work pioneering data leakage prevention at RSA, through to leading cloud startups, and now driving innovation at Snyk, Manoj has had a front-row seat to cybersecurity’s biggest shifts.

We’ll dive into why traditional approaches to AppSec are no longer enough, how “shift left” is evolving in the AI era, and why — with the right guardrails — AI-generated code could actually be more secure than code written by humans.

Takeaways

• Vibe coding could lead to better security outcomes with the right guardrails.

• Shift left is evolving in the age of AI, moving security earlier in the development process.

• Almost every company is now a software company, making custom software the crown jewels.

• Security teams need to enable developers rather than act as gatekeepers.

• AI is being used in offensive ways, creating new vulnerabilities.

• The awareness of security risks is increasing among leading companies.

• AI-generated code can be more insecure than human-generated code.

• Proactive security measures are essential in the AI era.

• Secure code generation should be integrated into the development pipeline.

• Understanding and visibility of AI components in code is crucial for security.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Application Security in the AI Era

10:01 Vibe Coding: Risks and Opportunities

19:55 The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights saves you time and hassle by rigorously analyzing cybersecurity solutions and cutting through the hype to deliver clear, actionable shortlists. We specialize in cybersecurity. So, our focus is sharper, our knowledge is deeper, and our insights are better. What’s more, our advice is completely impartial.

In a world saturated with information, we exist to arm experts with the insights they need to protect their organization. That is why over 1 million businesses have used us to inform their cybersecurity research.

This year, we have seen the two biggest cybersecurity acquisitions ever made: Google Cloud’s acquisition of Wiz, for $32bn USD, and Palo Alto Networks’ $25bn deal to acquire CyberArk. And it’s only August!

Cybersecurity investment continues to grow at a staggering pace. According to Return On Security, cybersecurity funding is up 202% in Q2/3 2025 compared to the same period last year, with M&A deals up 92%.

What’s driving these trends? What are the hottest areas to invest in cybersecurity today? Who are the hottest companies to watch, and who could be next in line for a $20bn USD+ acquisition?

At Black Hat USA 2025, we spoke with Deepak Jeevankumar, Managing Director at Dell Technologies Capital, to cover these questions, and much more.

Chapters

00:00 Cybersecurity Investment Surge

02:35 Trends in Cybersecurity: Evergreen vs. Cyclical

05:43 The Importance of Identity in Cybersecurity

08:42 AI's Impact on Cybersecurity

11:37 Navigating the Evolving AI Security Landscape

14:21 Challenges and Opportunities for Startups

17:20 Future Predictions in Cybersecurity Acquisitions

About Expert Insights

Expert Insights saves you time and hassle by rigorously analyzing cybersecurity solutions and cutting through the hype to deliver clear, actionable shortlists. We specialize in cybersecurity. So, our focus is sharper, our knowledge is deeper, and our insights are better. What’s more, our advice is completely impartial.

In a world saturated with information, we exist to arm experts with the insights they need to protect their organization. That is why over 1 million businesses have used us to inform their cybersecurity research.