Anand Singh on Navigating AI, Cybersecurity, and Executive Strategy

10/16/24 • 34 min

In this episode of The Professional CISO Show, host David Malicoat sits down with Anand Singh, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Alkami Technology. Anand shares his journey through the world of cybersecurity, from working with Cray supercomputers to leading cutting-edge AI-driven cybersecurity strategies.

Key Discussion Points:

• Professionalizing the CISO Role: Anand explains the importance of evolving the CISO role into a true executive function, focusing on business impact.

• AI and Cybersecurity: Learn how AI is transforming cybersecurity from both attack and defense perspectives.

• Board Governance: Anand discusses the growing need for board-level expertise in cybersecurity and the role of CISOs in influencing governance.

• NACD Certification: Anand’s experience earning his NACD Directorship Certification and why it’s important for CISOs to influence cybersecurity at the board level.

• Cybersecurity Leadership: Insights into Anand’s leadership experience across industries, including banking, healthcare, and retail.

Quotable Moments:

• “A CISO must be a true executive—using security as a mechanism to drive business goals.”

• “AI is a force of nature. You can’t block it. You need to embrace it responsibly.”

About Anand Singh:

Anand Singh is an experienced cybersecurity leader, currently serving as SVP & CISO at Alkami Technology. He has held senior positions at leading companies including U.S. Bank, UnitedHealth Group, and Target.com. With a Ph.D. in computer science, Anand brings a deep technical and strategic perspective to the ever-evolving challenges in cybersecurity.

Tune in for Insights on:

• Navigating the intersection of AI and cybersecurity

• The evolving role of CISOs in organizational strategy and risk management

• Board governance and why cybersecurity is essential at the executive level

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Professional CISO Show on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube for more exclusive interviews and discussions.

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring more insightful content from top cybersecurity leaders!

#CISO #Cybersecurity #AI #BoardGovernance #ProfessionalCISO #Leadership #DigitalBanking

Key Discussion Points:

• Professionalizing the CISO Role: Anand explains the importance of evolving the CISO role into a true executive function, focusing on business impact.

• AI and Cybersecurity: Learn how AI is transforming cybersecurity from both attack and defense perspectives.

• Board Governance: Anand discusses the growing need for board-level expertise in cybersecurity and the role of CISOs in influencing governance.

• NACD Certification: Anand’s experience earning his NACD Directorship Certification and why it’s important for CISOs to influence cybersecurity at the board level.

• Cybersecurity Leadership: Insights into Anand’s leadership experience across industries, including banking, healthcare, and retail.

Quotable Moments:

• “A CISO must be a true executive—using security as a mechanism to drive business goals.”

• “AI is a force of nature. You can’t block it. You need to embrace it responsibly.”

About Anand Singh:

Tune in for Insights on:

• Navigating the intersection of AI and cybersecurity

• The evolving role of CISOs in organizational strategy and risk management

• Board governance and why cybersecurity is essential at the executive level

Connect with Us:

• Follow The Professional CISO Show on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube for more exclusive interviews and discussions.

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring more insightful content from top cybersecurity leaders!

#CISO #Cybersecurity #AI #BoardGovernance #ProfessionalCISO #Leadership #DigitalBanking

Previous Episode

AI, Cloud Security, and Resilience: Highlights from N TX ISSA - CSC 12

In This Episode:

We cover a range of timely topics, including:

• Matt Walker, Managing Director of Security and Compliance at Goosehead Insurance: Discusses the challenges of threat exposure management and strategies for cloud security.

• Dr. Harvey Castro, ER Doctor and Keynote Speaker: Shares his journey of integrating AI into healthcare, from real-time diagnostics to the use of wearable tech for better patient care.

• Justin Hutchens, Innovation Principal at Trace3: Delivers insights on autonomous hacking systems and the future of generative AI in the cyber threat landscape.

• Ric Halsaver, Resilience Expert at IBM: Highlights the critical importance of time in incident response, the power of immutable snapshots, and how to recover quickly after an attack.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for navigating the complexities of cloud security and managing SaaS risks.

• How AI is reshaping both cybersecurity defenses and the threats we face.

• Practical advice for improving organizational resilience and minimizing recovery time.

• The balance of human expertise and AI’s high-speed capabilities in cybersecurity and healthcare.

Connect with Our Guests:

• Matt Walker: Managing Director of Security and Compliance, Goosehead Insurance

• Dr. Harvey Castro: ER Doctor, Keynote Speaker, and AI Enthusiast

• Justin Hutchens: Innovation Principal, Trace3, and Author of The Language of Deception: Weaponizing Next Generation AI

• Rick Haussauer: Cyber Resilience Specialist, IBM

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:15] Matt Walker on Cloud Security Challenges

• [00:11:30] Dr. Harvey Castro: AI in Healthcare and Patient Care

• [00:20:00] Justin Hutchins: AI-Powered Cyber Threats and Autonomous Hacking

• [00:28:45] Rick Haussauer: The Importance of Cyber Resilience and Recovery Time

Join Us Online:

• Visit our website: www.thpc.co

• Watch more on our YouTube channel: The Professional CISO Show

• Follow us on LinkedIn for updates and more content!

Book:

The Language of Deception: Weaponizing Next Generation AI by Justin Hutchens

https://a.co/d/366H7p0

Subscribe and Leave a Review!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more industry-leading insights to the CISO community.

Next Episode

CISO Realities: Parrish Gunnels Talks Zero Trust & Incident Response

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Professional CISO Show, David Malicoat interviews Parrish Gunnels, Senior Vice President and CISO at Sunflower Bank, about his experiences leading cybersecurity across multiple industries. Parrish shares his thoughts on the evolution of the CISO role, why it’s essential to professionalize it, and how cybersecurity leaders can earn a seat at the table in their organizations.

Key topics include the challenges of implementing Zero Trust, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services, and how CISOs can navigate complex regulatory environments. Parrish also offers valuable advice for aspiring CISOs on how to engage with business leaders and make meaningful impacts in their organizations.

Key Discussion Points:

• [01:30] Introducing Parrish Gunnels and his diverse career path in cybersecurity

• [04:50] Professionalizing the CISO role: Why it’s essential and how to achieve it

• [07:00] Zero Trust: Is it achievable, or just a guiding principle?

• [12:20] Why CISOs still struggle to secure a seat at the table in many organizations

• [18:15] The impact of AI on financial services and the associated security challenges

• [23:45] Advice for new CISOs: Where to focus in your first 30 days

• [30:10] How different industries shape the CISO role and key regulatory differences

• [34:00] Fun rapid-fire questions with Parrish Gunnels

Key Quotes:

• “I think the CISO role is still in its infancy compared to positions like the CIO. There’s a lot we’re still figuring out.” – Parrish Gunnels

• “Zero Trust is a great principle, but it’s not fully achievable, especially in industries like manufacturing with legacy systems.” – Parrish Gunnels

• “Artificial intelligence is here to stay, but the models are still not where they need to be for security.” – Parrish Gunnels

About Our Guest:

Parrish Gunnels is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Sunflower Bank. He has held cybersecurity leadership roles at companies like Verizon, Capital One, and Citigroup. With a background in telecommunications and financial services, Parrish brings a wealth of experience in securing complex organizations.

Resources Mentioned:

• North Texas ISSA Annual Golf Tournament

• AI in financial services: Latest developments

• CISO leadership advice for new and aspiring security leaders

Connect with The Professional CISO Show:

• Website: www.thpc.co

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheProfessionalCISO

• LinkedIn: @TheProfessionalCISO

Subscribe & Leave a Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform! Your support helps us bring more expert insights to the cybersecurity community.

#CISO #Cybersecurity #ZeroTrust #AI #Leadership #ProfessionalCISO #FinancialServices #DavidMalicoat #ParrishGunnels