Landing Your First Cybersecurity Role | Highlights from the Root To CISO Podcast

More from Root To CISO

1. 

   5 May 2026 · 11 min

   How to Actually Stand Out in a Competitive Cyber Job Market | Root To CISO Podcast

   Breaking into a CISO role, or even landing the interview, requires more than just hitting “apply.” In this bite-sized highlight, Kristina Belnap, Don Baham, and Ben Harris share real-world insights on what actually works (and what doesn’t) in today’s competitive cybersecurity job market. From the power of referrals and building strong networks, to avoiding short tenure red flags and using AI strategically rather than blindly, this episode gives practical advice to help you stand out and posit...

2. 

   28 Apr 2026 · 7 min

   What Top Cyber Leaders Would Tell Their Younger Selves | Root To CISO Podcast

   What would today’s cybersecurity leaders tell their younger selves? In this bite-sized highlight, Melina Scotto, Chris Carter, and Will Gregorian share powerful reflections on the lessons that shaped their careers—from practicing patience and avoiding rushed decisions, to saying yes to new opportunities and staying grounded through it all. Whether it’s embracing risk, building resilience, or focusing on long-term growth, this episode is packed with honest advice for anyone navigating their pa...

3. 

   21 Apr 2026 · 46 min

   Mythos, Glasswing and the CSA Whitepaper | Root To CISO Podcast

4. 

   7 Apr 2026 · 11 min

   The Professionals Who Win in the AI Era | Root To CISO Podcast

   In this Root to CISO Byte Size episode recorded live at RSA, Yonesy Nunez joins the conversation to explore the growing impact of AI on cybersecurity careers. While many professionals feel uncertainty about AI’s role, Yonesy shares a powerful perspective: this is one of the greatest opportunities of our time to learn, adapt, and become more multidimensional. From accelerating innovation to removing repetitive work, AI has the potential to help professionals focus on what truly matters. The ke...

5. 

   17 Mar 2026 · 23 min

   Stand Out by Being Yourself in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast

   In this episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, Dave Ruiz shares why authenticity is one of the most powerful and overlooked drivers of career growth in cybersecurity. Drawing on his background in military service and critical infrastructure, Davey explains how staying true to yourself, embracing your individuality, and sharing your passions can help you build stronger connections and stand out in a crowded, AI-driven world. From personal branding on LinkedIn to avoiding burnout through creative o...

6. 

   3 Mar 2026 · 23 min

   Building Your Career With Smart AI Use | Root To CISO Podcast

   In this episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, Ben Harris shares why there has never been a better time to accelerate your learning and career using AI. From rapidly building deep knowledge in new domains to creating personal tools like job search CRMs and habit trackers, Ben explains how curiosity and intentional experimentation can create a meaningful edge. He also explores the growing opportunity around AI governance, why strategic networking beats “spray and pray” applications, and how using ...

7. 

   6 Oct 2026 · 18 min

   Cybersecurity Comes With Pressure. Here's How You Handle It | Root To CISO Podcast

   Cybersecurity comes with pressure. So how do you manage it without letting it take over? In this Root To CISO Bite Size episode, we bring together perspectives from experienced cybersecurity leaders on managing stress, knowing when to switch off, and finding ways to stay grounded through demanding periods in your career. You’ll hear conversations about: 🔹 Why lean security teams can create additional pressure, and why cyber professionals sometimes make it harder on themselves by always trying...

8. 

   29 Sep 2026 · 39 min

   Leadership Is More Than a Title. This is What Actually Matters | Root To CISO Podcast

   Getting the leadership title is one thing. Knowing how to lead when the decisions get harder is another. In Part 2 of our conversation with Yonesy Nunez, Kris Rides digs into what leadership actually looks like once you are responsible for people, risk, business decisions and the problems you inherit. Strong leadership is not about being the person who always says yes, it is not about being the person who always says no either. It is about understanding the problem, knowing the risk, and bein...

9. 

   22 Sep 2026 · 37 min

   How The Experience You Dismiss Could Shape Your Career | Root To CISO Podcast

   What if the job you think is “just a job” is actually the experience that changes your entire career? In this episode of the Root To CISO Podcast, Kris Rides sits down with Yonesy Nunez, to unpack the unconventional career path that took him from folding mail and teaching himself a programming language over one weekend to becoming a cybersecurity executive. Yonesy Nunez didn’t start out planning to become a CISO. He started in accounting, discovered computing, worked multiple jobs while at un...

10. 

    15 Sep 2026 · 11 min

    If I Could Start My Career Again, I’d Do These Things Differently | Root To CISO Podcast

    What career advice only makes sense once you’ve lived through it? In Part 2 of our “advice to your younger self” series, experienced cybersecurity leaders shares these career lessons they wish they had understood earlier, so you can make more informed decisions. From building relationships with people who can advocate for you, to getting comfortable around senior executives, knowing when loyalty is keeping you in the wrong place, and staying open to opportunities you never thought you w...

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