Colin Domoney, CTO and co-founder of Thinking of U, shares his career journey in cybersecurity and his expertise in API security. He started as a kid building electronics and crypto systems, which led him to develop battle-hardened defense systems. He gravitated towards software and eventually got into AppSec, diving into the deep end and fixing a million AppSec vulnerabilities. Colin emphasizes the importance of developers having security skills and offers advice on how to build something cool that is also secure. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in API security and the role of AI in the industry.

Takeaways

• Developers with security skills are highly sought after in the industry.
• API security requires a different approach compared to standard web app security.
• API security encompasses a wide range of tools and techniques, from shift left to runtime protection.
• Colin's book, Defending APIs, is aimed at anyone tasked with defending APIs, with a focus on developers.
• AI is a powerful tool that accelerates learning and problem-solving in various areas, including cybersecurity.
• AI creates both opportunities and challenges in the industry, and it is important to stay informed and adapt to its impact.

Summary:
In this episode, Gene discusses management principles and leadership strategies for senior leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs with Tom Heiser, previously CEO of ClickSoftware, EVP at EMC, and President at RSA the cyber division of EMC. They cover topics such as opening the aperture, balancing strategy and tactics, embracing change, connecting the dots, and more. The conversation emphasizes the importance of learning from tough times, setting a clear vision, and problem-solving with a positive mindset.

Takeaways

• Balancing strategy and tactics is crucial for success in leadership roles.
• Embracing change and learning from tough times are essential for personal and professional growth.
• The rule of 15 degrees emphasizes the importance of iteration and continuous improvement in business strategies.
• Asking 'why' five times to find the root cause is a valuable problem-solving technique.
• Maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on the achievable is key to overcoming challenges in leadership and business.
• Setting a clear vision and connecting the dots between current state and desired state is essential for success in business and leadership.

Jim Alkove, CEO and co-founder of Olaria, shares his career journey and insights on cybersecurity training and becoming a board advisor. He emphasizes the importance of starting at the beginning and gaining experience in software engineering during his time at Microsoft. Alkove highlights the need for a more diverse pool of candidates and situational training to meet the workforce demands of the cybersecurity industry. He also discusses the significance of company culture and values in building successful teams. Alkove provides advice on moving laterally to gain broader skills and transitioning to advisory roles in early-stage companies.

Key Takeaways

• Move laterally to gain broader skillsets while in early-stage of careers.
• Training needs to be more accessible to a diverse pool of candidates in order to meet the demands of the cybersecurity industry.
• Company culture and values are crucial in building successful teams.
• Write down your goals, be humble, and be open to learning and criticism.