Welcome back to the "To the Point" cybersecurity podcast! In this episode, hosts Rachael Lyon and Jonathan Knepher continue their enlightening conversation with Maria Roat, former US Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer and Small Business Administration CIO. Maria brings her wealth of experience from both government and private sectors to the table, sharing practical advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, insights on how CIOs can tackle prioritization in the face of endless cyber threats, and what it takes to drive sustained improvement in large organizations.

The discussion also dives into the challenges of serving on diverse boards—from healthcare to cybersecurity consulting—and how Maria adapts her advocacy and expertise for each unique environment. She opens up about the importance of mentorship in the field, sharing powerful stories and encouraging both mentors and mentees to connect and learn from one another. Plus, Maria gives us a glimpse into her personal journey, adventures, and love for lifelong learning—whether that’s traveling the world or taking on a Spartan race with her family.

Tune in for an episode packed with career wisdom, leadership strategies, and Maria’s signature perspective on creating an impact across the cybersecurity landscape.

For links and resources discussed in this episode, please visit our show notes at https://www.forcepoint.com/govpodcast/e333

Welcome back to To the Point Cybersecurity Podcast, brought to you by Forcepoint! In this week’s episode, hosts Rachael Lyon and Jonathan Knepher are joined—once again—by the remarkable Maria Roat, former US Deputy Federal Chief Information Officer and past CIO of the Small Business Administration. With over three decades of federal IT and cybersecurity leadership experience, Maria shares an insider’s view on how organizations can remain vigilant amid the waves of change, such as leadership transitions and rising cyberattack tactics.

Tune in as Maria recounts real-world challenges, like handling phishing attacks during critical moments and fostering a culture of cyber awareness, even when the threat isn’t headline news. She also offers invaluable advice on building resilient, long-term cybersecurity strategies that persist through policy changes—and weighs in on the critical role of communication, both for technology professionals and leaders. Whether you’re in the public or private sector, considering a career in cybersecurity, or seeking strategies for small business protection, this episode is packed with practical insights and candid discussion.

For links and resources discussed in this episode, please visit our show notes at https://www.forcepoint.com/govpodcast/e332

Welcome back to another episode of To the Point Cybersecurity, where hosts Rachael Lyon and Jonathan Knepher dig into the evolving world of cyber threats, national security, and the intersection of technology and society. In this episode, we continue our conversation with John Cohen, Executive Director of the Program for Countering Hybrid Threats at the Center for Internet Security.

John shares real-world examples from the frontlines, detailing how threat actors—from nation-states to extremist groups—leverage open forums and online platforms not only to carry out cyberattacks, but also to coordinate, inspire, and instruct physical violence. He explains the challenges of rapidly getting critical threat intelligence into the right hands, the importance of distinguishing between protected speech and real threats, and the new mindset needed to effectively respond to increasingly hybrid and ideologically-driven dangers.

Tune in for insightful stories, actionable advice for both the public and private sectors, and a candid discussion on the societal challenges of disinformation, online radicalization, and the need for open conversations to build resilience in our digital and physical worlds.

And to learn more about Center for Internet Security’s Threat WA initiative visit https://www.cisecurity.org/threatwa .

For links and resources discussed in this episode, please visit our show notes at https://www.forcepoint.com/govpodcast/e331