Cyber Inspiration

Evgeniy Kharam and Security Architecture
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Cyber Inspiration podcast explores the minds of CTOs and CEOs, at the time they started their cyber security companies. We find out what happened in their technical or personal lives that motivated them to start the company. Cyber Inspiration will also cover social, technological and business aspects. This show is affiliated with https://www.security-architecture.org/ podcast! Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/cyber_Inspiration_2022

  1. From Nuclear Weapons Systems to Cybersecurity Leadership with Kevin Spease

    May 26

    From Nuclear Weapons Systems to Cybersecurity Leadership with Kevin Spease

    In this episode of Cyber Inspiration, Evgeniy Kharam speaks with Kevin Spease, founder of ISSE Services, about cybersecurity in highly sensitive military environments and what it truly means to build security into systems from day one. Kevin shares how working on the Minuteman III missile program shifted his view of cybersecurity from compliance-driven documentation to engineering-driven protection. He explains why “security baked in” matters far more than simply checking boxes. The discussion also dives into: FedRAMP and government cybersecurity requirementsSupply chain security risksGrowing a cybersecurity company organically over 20 yearsThe importance of honesty, ethics, and curiosity in hiringWhy soft skills matter in technical environmentsAdvice for veterans transitioning into cybersecurity careersLeadership lessons from difficult moments and uncertainty This episode is packed with practical insights for cybersecurity professionals, founders, engineers, veterans, and anyone interested in critical infrastructure security.

    22 min
  2. Zero Trust Done Right: Why Most Initiatives Fail and How to Fix Them

    Mar 22

    Zero Trust Done Right: Why Most Initiatives Fail and How to Fix Them

    In this episode of Cyber Inspiration, Evgeniy Kharam is joined by John Spiegel, Jaye Tillson, and Graham Ludlow, authors of Zero Trust Done Right: A practitioner’s guide to zero trust security in the age of AI. Based on decades of real world experience, they break down why most Zero Trust initiatives fail and what organizations need to do differently. This is not a technical deep dive. It is a practical conversation about leadership, communication, and execution. We cover: • Why Zero Trust is a business initiative, not an IT project • The human side of Zero Trust and why culture matters • How to communicate with executives and gain buy in • Why most initiatives never get finished • How to position Zero Trust without even using the term • Lessons learned from real world failures If you are attending RSA, you can meet the authors and get your copy signed: • Monday at the Cloud Security Alliance event • Wednesday at the RSA Bookstore Grab the book here

    24 min
  3. Trust on the Edge: Why IoT Security Starts at Day One

    Mar 18

    Trust on the Edge: Why IoT Security Starts at Day One

    In this episode of Cyber Inspiration, Evgeniy Kharam sits down with David Sequino and Bill Lattin of OmniTrust (formally INTEGRITY Security Services - ISS), and authors of Trust on the Edge: The New Front Line in IoT Cybersecurity. With decades of experience in cryptography and embedded systems, David and Bill share how a real world manufacturing challenge led them to build solutions focused on securing connected devices. As everything from vehicles to medical devices becomes connected, cybersecurity is no longer optional. It must be built into products from the very beginning. This conversation explores why embedded security is different from enterprise security, how the attack surface is rapidly expanding, and why leadership must take responsibility for security across the entire product lifecycle.

    32 min
  4. Building Through Crashes, Crises, and Comebacks with Stanley Li

    Mar 2

    Building Through Crashes, Crises, and Comebacks with Stanley Li

    In this episode of Cyber Inspiration, Evgeniy Kharam sits down with Stanley Li, Founder of Netswitch Technology Management, to unpack a 30 year journey through technology, entrepreneurship, and cyber governance. Born in Hong Kong, educated in England, and building his career in San Francisco, Stanley’s path was anything but linear. From bartending at a yacht club to becoming a cable puller, to network architect, to founder during the dot com era, his story reflects persistence, risk, and reinvention. We discuss: • Starting at the bottom and learning the industry from the ground up • Launching a company in 2000 just as the dot com crash hit • Building early voice recognition technology before the iPhone existed • The emotional toll of failed partnerships • Trust but verify in business relationships • Why entrepreneurship is different when it is your own money • How cyber governance became the next chapter • The vision behind their open source Risk Indicator data visualization tool Stanley also shares powerful advice about staying focused, elevating awareness, and protecting your character in business. If you are navigating leadership, startups, or cybersecurity strategy, this episode is a masterclass in resilience. ---- Read more on Netswitch: https://www.netswitch.net Connect with Stanley Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netswitchstanleyli/ Connect with Evgeniy Kharam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekharam/

    35 min
  5. From Military to Founder: How Sharon Isaaci Built Tonic Security with Context, Culture, and AI

    Jan 22

    From Military to Founder: How Sharon Isaaci Built Tonic Security with Context, Culture, and AI

    Sharon Isaaci, Co-Founder and CEO of Tonic Security, joins Evgeniy Kharam to explore what it really takes to build a cybersecurity company that helps defenders focus on what matters. After years in military intelligence and incident response, Sharon kept seeing the same pattern. Organizations had visibility, alerts, and tools. But they still got breached. Why? Because they missed the context. This episode dives into how that insight led to Tonic Security, how GenAI is being used to cut through noise, and why Sharon now hires for values and learning ability instead of just technical skill. What You’ll Learn Why visibility is not the issue, but context isHow Tonic reduces irrelevant security findings by over 99 percentThe origin story behind Tonic SecurityLessons from Israeli cyber teams and elite talentHow Sharon approaches hiring and leadershipThe personal tools he uses to stay grounded, from martial arts to music

    27 min
  6. Episode 89 - Omar Romero - Founder and CEO of ROSE IT Services Limited

    12/03/2025

    Episode 89 - Omar Romero - Founder and CEO of ROSE IT Services Limited

    In this episode, host Evgeniy Kharam speaks with Omar Romero, CEO of Rose IT Services, a Trinidad-based MSP serving the Caribbean and North America. Omar shares his story of launching the company post-2008 crash, scaling without VC or franchising, building a team from scratch, and adapting to evolving tech, from cybersecurity to automation. He also explores cultural differences in client communication and how COVID shaped his documentation-first mindset. Key Topics: MSP growth lessons from New York to TrinidadHow culture impacts IT service deliveryScaling a business without losing the personal touchWhy cybersecurity became central to Rose ITReal work-life balance while running a global MSPAutomating, documenting, and preparing for the unexpected 🔗 Learn more: https://www.rose-it.com/ 🔗 Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-romero-roseitservices 🎧 Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgeniykharam Mentioned in this episode: Cyber Innovation Showcase Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst is excited to invite you to the Cyber Innovation Showcase – a Brampton-based event uniting business leaders, cyber experts, and innovators to spotlight the cutting-edge technologies that can help protect and future-proof your business. Join us for an evening highlighting made-in-Canada solutions from this year’s Cyber Challenge companies, each driving the future of cybersecurity across Ontario’s most critical sectors. 📅 Thursday, December 11, 2025 ⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 The Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton, ON L6V 0A3 At the Showcase, you’ll be able to: ● Get early access to innovative Canadian cyber technologies ● Watch live demos featuring real-world industry applications ● Gain insights to strengthen your organization’s digital resilience ● Network with experts, tech providers, and business professionals Register today: https://luma.com/xxl336v2

    20 min
  7. Episode 88 - Ross Young - Author of Cybersecurity's Dirty Secret

    11/20/2025

    Episode 88 - Ross Young - Author of Cybersecurity's Dirty Secret

    Ross Young joins Evgeniy Kharam to talk about his new book Cybersecurity Secret: Why Most Budgets Go to Waste — and how the industry can do better. From optimizing spend and retiring underperforming tools, to writing a book using AI and creating onboarding frameworks for developers, Ross shares insights every cybersecurity leader can use. Topics Covered: Why cybersecurity spending often failsWho the book is for (CISOs, CFOs, vendors, and tech writers)The “Murder Board” framework to evaluate tool usageTotal Cost of Ownership in cyber planningAI and ChatGPT for authorship + productivityDeveloper onboarding as a security riskWhy Ross self-published and what’s next Buy your copy Guest: Ross Young Host: Evgeniy Kharam Resources: https://www.cisotradecraft.com/freetemplates https://www.cisotradecraft.com/course-master-the-budget-game-in-cybersecurity

    32 min
  8. Episode 87 - Saryu Nayyar - Founder & CEO of Gurucul

    10/09/2025

    Episode 87 - Saryu Nayyar - Founder & CEO of Gurucul

    In this episode, Evgeniy Kharam interviews Saryu Nayyar, CEO of Gurucul, to unpack how she turned a practitioner’s insight into a powerful cybersecurity platform. With no outside funding and a relentless focus on relationships, Saryu’s leadership helped Gurucul land in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant while continuing to innovate through AI, data optimization, and trust-first culture. What We Cover: From Oracle to entrepreneurshipBootstrapping instead of raising VCWhy product-market fit takes timePrioritizing when everything feels urgentHow soft skills and team trust built Gurucul’s foundation Resources: Website: https://www.gurucul.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saryunayyar Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgeniykharam 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more!

    20 min
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About

Cyber Inspiration podcast explores the minds of CTOs and CEOs, at the time they started their cyber security companies. We find out what happened in their technical or personal lives that motivated them to start the company. Cyber Inspiration will also cover social, technological and business aspects. This show is affiliated with https://www.security-architecture.org/ podcast! Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/cyber_Inspiration_2022

Information

  • Creator
    Evgeniy Kharam and Security Architecture
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Evgeniy Kharam and Security Architecture
  • Show Website
    Cyber Inspiration