
The Invisible Barriers to Going ‘Green’ | A conversation with Melisa Báez | What If Instead? Podcast with Alejandro Juárez Crawford and Miriam Plavin-Masterman
07/18/24 • 61 min
Guest: Melisa Báez, Co-Founder and CEO at ELUME and Teacher Assistant at Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-baez
Hosts:
Alejandro Juárez Crawford
On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/alejandro-juarez-crawford
Miriam Plavin-Masterman
On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/miriam-plavin-masterman
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Episode Introduction
Delving into Melissa Baez's inspirational work with small businesses and entrepreneurs, this episode discusses the importance of language accessibility and the need for a cultural shift in mindset and sustainable business practices. It further addresses the significance of music and entertainment in transforming communities and the value of mentorship and opportunities for up-and-coming artists — particularly emphasizing the role of influential figures in making sustainability mainstream and accessible to all. Last but not least, it highlights how being a lifetime learner and maintaining curiosity are essential for personal and professional growth.
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Resources
ELUME: On a mission to decolonize sustainability: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/elume-mission-decolonize-sustainability-elume-llc/?trackingId=f0ZrAz5lIGMr%2F5%2F%2BSVrPlA%3D%3D
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Episode Sponsors
Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network
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For more podcast stories from What If Instead? Podcast with Alejandro Juárez Crawford and Miriam Plavin-Masterman, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/alejandro-juarez-crawford and https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/miriam-plavin-masterman
Guest: Melisa Báez, Co-Founder and CEO at ELUME and Teacher Assistant at Bard Graduate Programs in Sustainability
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-baez
Hosts:
Alejandro Juárez Crawford
On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/alejandro-juarez-crawford
Miriam Plavin-Masterman
On ITSPmagazine 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/miriam-plavin-masterman
______________________
Episode Introduction
Delving into Melissa Baez's inspirational work with small businesses and entrepreneurs, this episode discusses the importance of language accessibility and the need for a cultural shift in mindset and sustainable business practices. It further addresses the significance of music and entertainment in transforming communities and the value of mentorship and opportunities for up-and-coming artists — particularly emphasizing the role of influential figures in making sustainability mainstream and accessible to all. Last but not least, it highlights how being a lifetime learner and maintaining curiosity are essential for personal and professional growth.
______________________
Resources
ELUME: On a mission to decolonize sustainability: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/elume-mission-decolonize-sustainability-elume-llc/?trackingId=f0ZrAz5lIGMr%2F5%2F%2BSVrPlA%3D%3D
______________________
Episode Sponsors
Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network
______________________
For more podcast stories from What If Instead? Podcast with Alejandro Juárez Crawford and Miriam Plavin-Masterman, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/alejandro-juarez-crawford and https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/miriam-plavin-masterman
Previous Episode

Dodging the Ball and ways for CISOs to avoid: Essential Strategies for CISOs | A Black Hat USA 2024 Conversation with Jess Nall | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli
Guest: Jess Nall, Partner, Defense Against Government Investigations, Baker McKenzie, LLP [@bakermckenzie]
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-nall/
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Hosts:
Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin
Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli
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Episode Notes
As the countdown to Black Hat 2024 begins, ITSP Magazine’s “Chats On the Road” series kicks off with a compelling pre-event discussion featuring Jess Nall, a partner at Baker McKenzie with over two decades of experience in federal investigations and defending Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Hosted by Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli, the episode blends humor and serious insights to tackle the evolving challenges faced by CISOs today.
The Dodgeball Analogy: Setting the Stage
The conversation starts on a light-hearted note with a playful dodgeball analogy, a clever metaphor used to illustrate the growing complexities in the cybersecurity landscape. This sets the tone for a deeper exploration of the pressures and responsibilities that modern CISOs face, bridging the gap between legacy technology and contemporary cybersecurity challenges.
Legacy Technology vs. Modern Cybersecurity
Drawing from the dodgeball metaphor, Sean and Marco highlight the burden of legacy technology and its impact on current cybersecurity practices. Jess Nall shares her perspective on how past business operations influence today’s cybersecurity strategies, emphasizing the need for CISOs to adapt and innovate continually.
ITSP Magazine’s Milestone and Black Hat Connections
This episode also marks a celebratory milestone for ITSP Magazine. Sean and Marco reflect on their journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, the birthplace of ITSP Magazine, and how their experiences have shaped the publication’s mission and growth. As they gear up for Black Hat 2024, they express their excitement about reconnecting with the cybersecurity community and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
Introducing Jess Nall: Expertise and Experience
Jess Nall, a seasoned expert in federal investigations, brings invaluable insights to the discussion. She underscores the severe implications of government scrutiny on CISOs, drawing from high-profile cases like SEC v. SolarWinds and Tim Brown. Jess provides practical advice for CISOs to avoid regulatory pitfalls and highlights the importance of staying vigilant and proactive in their roles.
The Internet’s Troubled History and Its Impact
Marco steers the conversation towards the Internet’s troubled history and its initial lack of security foresight. Jess reflects on how these historical challenges have shaped modern cybersecurity practices, emphasizing the difficulties of keeping up with evolving threats and expanding attack surfaces. She also discusses the controversial strategy of targeting CISOs to influence corporate cybersecurity measures, a practice she staunchly opposes.
The Perfect Storm: AI and Cybersecurity
The discussion turns to the increasing complexity of cybersecurity in the age of AI. Sean and Jess delve into the pressures CISOs face as they balance the incorporation of AI technologies with maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. Jess describes this scenario as a “perfect storm,” making the role of a CISO more challenging than ever.
Regulation and Legislation: A Critical Examination
Marco raises critical concerns about the reactive nature of current cybersecurity legislation and regulation. Jess discusses how federal agencies often target individuals closest to a cybersecurity breach and outlines the topics she will cover in her upcoming Black Hat presentation. She aims to educate CISOs on preventive measures and strategic responses to navigate these challenges effectiv...
Next Episode

Building a CISO Office: Mastering Enterprise Risk Management and Aligning Cybersecurity with Business Goals | Part 1 of 3 | A Conversation with Kush Sharma | Redefining CyberSecurity with Sean Martin
Guest: Kush Sharma, Director Municipal Modernization & Partnerships, Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (MISA Ontario)
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kush-sharma-9bb875a/
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Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin
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Episode Notes
In the latest episode — Part 1 of 3 Parts — of the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast on ITSPmagazine, host Sean Martin dives into a comprehensive discussion with Kush Sharma, a distinguished leader with vast experience across Accenture, Deloitte, the City of Toronto, and CP Rail. The conversation explores the intricacies of building a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) office from the ground up, offering invaluable insights for current and aspiring CISOs.
Kush Sharma emphasizes the multifaceted role of a CISO, particularly the distinct challenges faced when establishing a cybersecurity program in various organizational contexts—government, private sector, and consulting firms. He points out that in governmental environments, the focus is typically on how to benefit citizens or internal staff while operating under tight scrutiny and budget constraints. In contrast, consulting and private sectors prioritize efficiency, quick deployment, and direct benefits to the organization.
A significant part of the discussion centers on enterprise risk management. Sharma highlights the importance of aligning cybersecurity initiatives with organizational objectives. From mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to digital transformations, CISOs must ensure that their strategies mitigate risk while supporting the broader business goals. Kush Sharma advises that during such major projects, security measures need to be integrated from the ground up, focusing on things like role-based access and the segmentation of business processes.
Additionally, the challenges of engaging with governmental bodies are explored in depth. Sharma explains the extensive bureaucratic processes and the need for consensus-building, which often lead to significant delays. Understanding these processes allows for better navigation and more efficient outcomes. Sharma also brings out the importance of understanding and acting upon business processes when integrating cybersecurity measures. For instance, in large-scale ERP implementations, it is crucial to map out detailed roles and ensure that security provisions are applied consistently across all integrated systems. By focusing on the distinct roles within these processes, such as AP clerks or accounting managers, CISOs can develop more granular and effective security measures.
The episode underscores that success in building a CISO office lies in strategic alignment, efficient resource allocation, and thorough understanding of both technical and business processes. For cybersecurity leaders, this conversation with Kush Sharma offers crucial guidance and real-world examples to help navigate their complex roles effectively. Be sure to listen to the episode for a deeper dive into these topics and more. And, stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 for even more goodness from Sean and Kush.
Top Questions Addressed
- What are the complexities of establishing a CISO office from scratch?
- How do the requirements and focus differ when establishing a cybersecurity program in governmental versus private sectors?
- What is the approach to managing enterprise risk during digital transformations and mergers & acquisitions (M&A)?
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Watch this and other videos on ITSPmagazine's YouTube Channel
Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast with Sean Martin, CISSP playlist:
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllS9aVGdiakVss9u7xgYDKYq
ITSPmagazine YouTube Channel:
📺 https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine
Be sure to share and subscribe!
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Resources
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To see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit:...
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