In this episode of The New CISO, Steve is again joined by guest Grant Lockwood, Comedian, DJ, and the Chief Information Security Officer at Virtus Health. Today, Grant returns to explain how his approach to effective communication has evolved since becoming a security leader. Listen to the episode to learn the difference between safety and security, how stand-up comedy gave Grant an efficient framework for his CISO role, and the importance of having balance outside of work through hobbies.

Listen to Steve and Grant discuss how to maintain confidence in work and life and how to optimize your message to make the best first impression:

Comedy and Cyber Security (1:34)

Steve asks Grant why stand-up comedy has made him a better CISO. To Grant, stand-up helped him learn how to operate in a degraded state, which he finds comparable to dealing with cyber programs.

Like when a joke bombs, sometimes the most protected security programs can get hacked. Grant shares why these two mediums are similar and how both have given him the confidence to succeed in challenging situations.

Comfort and Confidence (4:12)

Grant shares how he determines his stand-up set lists and how to use that to get the audience on his side. He finds these lessons to also help in the workplace and understands the confidence that this framework provides.

Studying Delivery (6:45)

Grant reflects on the resources he’s utilized to become a better comedian, including listening to comedy podcasts. Ultimately, Grant expresses the importance of being economical with words—whether at work or on stage—to become an effective communicator.

Good Advice (9:22)

Steve presses Grant on what advice he would give his younger self, especially reflecting on his journey from an admin role to where he is now. Grant advises listeners to stay curious and teachable since there is much to learn.

He also reveals why people should be well-rounded, T-shaped individuals and how hobbies can provide transferable skills.

Getting There (12:31)

Reflecting on his career, Grant explains what he meant when he said, “The thing that got you there isn’t what will keep you there.” He clarifies how his measures of success have changed as he’s learned more about how running a business works.

Learning From Community (27:12)

As both a comedian and a CISO, Grant explores how the security community could learn from the stand-up comedy community. Both communities are very supportive, but comedy is entirely audience-dependent.

Therefore, comedy can teach security professionals to have better communication by “knowing your audience.”

The New CISO (19:09)

To Grant, being a new CISO means being adaptable, learning both the business and security side, and improving those around you.

Links mentioned:

LinkedIn

Comedy Podcasts/Resources:

Dissecting the Frog

The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast

In this episode of The New CISO, Steve is joined by guest Grant Lockwood, Chief Information Security Officer at Virtus Health.

After starting his career in an administrative position, Grant found himself getting bored. After being urged by his wife, Grant turned things around and is now a DJ, comedian, and, of course, a successful CISO. Listen to the episode to learn more about Grant’s impressive career journey, how to make your content compelling, and the transferable skills from performing comedy.

Listen to Steve and Grant discuss how hobbies can make you a better security leader and the importance of adapting to your surroundings:

Meet Grant (1:33)

Before becoming a CISO, Grant was a health sector chief information officer for a health department. Although his current role is very different, he can see the similarities between the two positions.

Before these two roles, Grant had spent years in an administrative position. Not sure what he wanted to do, his wife encouraged him to take up some hobbies, leading him to become a more well-rounded security professional.

Being a DJ (7:18)

Grant explains what people don’t know about being a DJ. He understands that what makes him a strong DJ is that he’s good at computers, demonstrating the similarities between cyber security and music.

Besides being a stress relief, Grant feels that being a DJ helps him with timing and being present, which he applies to his CISO role.

The Funny CISO (11:40)

Becoming a stand-up comedian has proven to be a transferable skill set for Grant. He reflects on how comedy helped him with his presentation skills and the ability to compel an audience.

Truth to Power (18:55)

Steve presses Grant on whether doing comedy has improved his ability to deliver truth to power. Grant understands how stand-up has expanded this skill set because he learned to hold others’ attention.

Grant also shares his feelings on the “lizard brain” and how this influences how we interact with others. Comedy taps into people’s lizard brains because it's an involuntary reaction that can bond us.

Being Adaptable (23:18)

Grant explains how stand-up forces you to adapt to your environment and use it to your advantage. This mentality also applies to presentations because you can shift gears based on your audience’s reaction.

When you can adjust your performance to the mood of others, you can hold their attention long enough to communicate your ideas effectively.

A Better Training (27:12)

If Grant could advise a security training leader, he would suggest they ask themselves, “Would this be entertaining to my mom?” Teaching potential CISOs how to make their work captivating to a wider net will make them better security leaders overall.

Links mentioned:

LinkedIn

In this episode of The New CISO, host Steve is joined by returning guest Sándor Incze, CISO at CM.com.

In part two of his interview, Sándor shares his strategies for boosting team productivity. As a long-time security leader, Sándor understands how to get the best out of his team. Listen to the episode to learn more about the difference between nervousness and excitement, the benefits of his CM model, and how running a cyber security staff is like soccer.

Listen to Steve and Sándor discuss how software development is like an F1 race and how to make a candidate confident during an interview:

In the Interview (1:33)

Sándor and Steve discuss high-stakes, stressful job interviews and how they can make candidates nervous. Although some security professionals are proud to make someone fumble during the interview process, Sándor and Steve share how to bring out the best version of someone to see if they are the right fit.

CM Squared (8:56)

Sándor shares the CM (or CM Squared) Model, a document he uses when auditing different companies' security systems to find their faults. With this model, Sándor can simplify technologies for business leaders and enhance their protections.

Like an F1 Race (15:30)

Like F1 racing, Sándor believes software development is a team effort. To help emphasize this metaphor, Sándor explains how different members of security teams mirror the roles of a racing crew.

Team Strategies (19:49)

When Sándor evaluates his role as a leader, he thinks of his staff as a soccer team. His team needs to score “goals,” and as their “coach,” it is his job to guide them.

He also shares his motto, “Do something you like, do something you’re good at, and contribute.”

The New CISO (27:12)

To Sándor, being a new CISO means “keep it simple.”

Making things too complicated does not stop cyber crimes. However, learning to talk to each other does.

Links:

LinkedIn