Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX

SquareX
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SquareX is excited to launch The Be Fearless Podcast Series, where we bring together industry experts and professionals from the cybersecurity community.Hosted by SquareX Founder - and cybersecurity veteran - Vivek Ramachandran, look forward to insights about our guests’ journeys in security, the evolution of the field, the changing threatscape and how enterprises across industries are addressing them today. 

  1. JAN 23

    Why Most Companies Misunderstand Cyber Resilience | Francesco Chiarini, CEO, High Value Target

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Francesco Chiarini, Chairman of the ISSA Cyber Resilience Task Force and CEO & Chief Researcher at High Value Target, sits down with Aleksandra Melnikova to discuss what cyber resilience really means beyond incident response. They explore high value targets, recovery-first thinking, cyber risk quantification, and why most enterprises still misunderstand resilience. From board-level risk conversations to accountability, creativity, and skills gaps, Francesco explains how security leaders can move from reactive defense to sustainable resilience 00:00 Francesco's journey into cybersecurity, Incident response vs true cyber resilience 10:32 Defining company-specific high value targets correctly 16:15 What companies get wrong about cyber risk quantification 21:31 Why the CIA Triad matters most in pharma and healthcare 26:32 The need to address fundamental threats and manage legacy assets 34:29 The gaps Francesco wants to fill in cyber resilience 39:59 "Magic wand" for CISOs: Cyber Recovery 🔔 Follow Francesco and Aleksandra on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiarini/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    45 min

  2. JAN 19

    Why Hackers Know Your Systems Better Than You | Dan Lohrmann, Field CISO for Public Sector, Presidio

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Dan Lohrmann, Field CISO for Public Sector, Presidio, sits down with SquareX Founder's Office's Aleksandra Melnikova to discuss how AI agents, browser-based threats, deepfakes, and shadow AI tools are reshaping the attack surface—and why CISOs must be embedded in AI governance early. They also touch upon what truly differentiates public-sector cybersecurity, from election cycles and budget whiplash to centralized security governance and trust-based leadership. 00:00 Introduction and when Dan almost got fired over Wi-Fi 8:57 What makes public sector security different from the private sector 13:21 Being Michigan's first ever CISO 22:39 Inside a $28 million ransomware negotiation 28:48 Emerging threats and securing AI 32:37 Advice for CISOs in 2026 35:42 Browser security in AI age and malicious extensions 43:04 People remember stories, CISOs need to earn trust 🔔 Follow Dan and Aleksandra on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danlohrmann/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    54 min

  3. JAN 14

    The Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity | Vivien Bilquez, Global Head Cyber, Zurich Insurance

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Vivien Bilquez of Zurich Insurance sits down with SquareX Founder Office’s Aleksandra Melnikova to discuss whether AI can replace cybersecurity leaders, how CISOs should communicate risk to boards, and what skills will matter most in the future. Vivien shares why AI delivers universal answers but lacks human judgment, why CISOs must master storytelling and financial language, and how to secure executive buy-in through cyber risk quantification. From champion rock-and-roll dancer to CISO at one of the world’s largest insurers, he explains why nearly 50% of companies are uninsurable and how Zurich reduced 500 security questions to just 10 key controls that mitigate 70% of cyber attacks. 00:00 Vivien's start as an acrobatic rock-and-roll dancer, and how the CISO role is mixed with politics 7:42 Cybersecurity is human-centric 12:27 How 10 controls can mitigate 70% of cyber attacks 16:42 Quantifying cyber risk in financial terms 25:58 Cyber Insurance vs Cyber Resilience 29:39 The different people you deal with during a cyber crisis 37:24 Speaking to boards in business language, not cyber 45:10 Why AI cannot replace the CISO and human experience 🔔 Follow Vivien and Aleksandra on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienbilquez/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-melnikova-1012/  🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    52 min

  4. JAN 11

    From 12th Grade Dropout to Cyber Entrepreneur | Ajay Unni, Founder and CEO, StickmanCyber

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, StickmanCyber’s Founder Ajay Unni sits down with SquareX Field CISO John Carse to discuss the personal side of building a global cybersecurity brand. Ajay reveals how a failure in his 12th-grade exams in India became the catalyst for his first software company. He explains his leadership philosophy, which integrates meditation and ethical business growth, proving that you don't have to be greedy to succeed in the high-stakes world of tech. They also touch upon why the web browser has become the primary attack surface for modern hackers and despite heavy investments in EDR tools and network security, many organizations remain blind to data exfiltration happening inside the browser. 00:00 Starting a company without experience 9:51 Ajay's move to cybersecurity 17:41 Cybersecurity-as-a-service and integrating AI for compliance 31:19 Shadow SaaS and browser blind spots 45:41 The fine balance between productivity and AI data leakage risk 50:12 Meditation and ethical business growth as cornerstones of leadership 🔔 Follow Ajay and John on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajayunni/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarse/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    54 min

  5. JAN 8

    Cybersecurity Needs Hackers, Not Test Takers | Gautam Sharma, Executive Director, AccessCyber

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Gautam "Gotham" Sharma, Executive Director, Cybersecurity Education and Training at AccessCyber, sits down with SquareX Field CISO John Carse to discuss why cybersecurity education and hiring are broken. The conversation explores nontraditional cyber career paths, why certifications alone don’t get candidates hired, and how hands-on projects prepare people for real-world security roles. Gautam breaks down browser security, SaaS sprawl, zero trust, and why defending the browser is essential for modern enterprises. He debunks viral AI ransomware statistics and explains why the industry needs better skepticism and even satire.  00:00 Founding of AccessCyber, what you learn in school vs. what enterprises are doing 9:35 Finding the right fit in cybersecurity 16:55 Hacking vs academia 32:26 How comedy helps Gautam be better in cybersecurity 40:00 CISO insights and browser security 51:39 Fighting misinformation in tech 🔔 Follow Gautam and John on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gothamjsharma/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarse/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    1h 1m

  6. JAN 5

    Cybersecurity Is About People, Not Tools | Larry Whiteside Jr., Co-Founder & President, Confide

    In this episode of the Be Fearless Podcast, Larry Whiteside Jr, Co-Founder and President of Confide, sits down with SquareX Field CISO John Carse to discuss the real risks facing today’s CISOs. Drawing from three decades of experience across the U.S. military, the Pentagon, and Fortune 500 leadership roles, Larry explains why the CISO role is the most exposed and misunderstood position in the C-suite. They dive into cybersecurity governance, power dynamics with executives, vendor hype, regulatory pressure, AI disruption, and why security leaders are often blamed despite lacking authority. 00:00 How a Pentagon analyst role turned out to be for Chief of Information Warfare 19:28 "You are not greater than the good of the entire building" 27:48 Why the cybersecurity buying process is fundamentally broken 35:28 Can, or should a CISO be likable? 43:32 Larry's leap to entrepreneurship 50:06 Changes in IT landscape: Cloud, SaaS, AI 1:00:23 Narcissistic tendencies in cyber leadership 1:11:39 Career advice and how to avoid burnout 🔔 Follow Larry and John on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrywhitesidejr/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarse/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    1h 1m

  7. 12/18/2025

    Why Cyber Needs Better Storytelling | Jeremy Ladner, Founder and CEO, The CISO Signal Podcast

    Field CISO John Carse of SquareX sits down with Jeremy Ladner of The CISO Signal to discuss the critical art of storytelling in cybersecurity leadership. In this episode of Be Fearless podcasts, Jeremy reveals why facts alone fail in the boardroom and how AI is rewriting the rules of social engineering and fraud. The conversation covers why hackers operate like aggressive marketing teams and the dangers of "almost secure" infrastructure.  00:00 Why the cybersecurity industry is actually a "True Crime" universe 5:17 Spy vs Spy 13:50 The Hero's Journey and how to tell a story 24:42 Most cyber breaches today don't start with brute force 33:02 Why cyber attacks is like sales and marketing 39:02 Bad cybersecurity is a decision problem 49:37 The browser is the "threshold" for attacks 53:15 How AI is both terrifying and exciting 58:12 CISOs are afraid of not being able to convince the organization 🔔 Follow Jeremy and John on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-ladner/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarse/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    1h 2m

  8. 12/15/2025

    Decoding Your Digital Footprint | James W., Valens Global Analyst

    Host John Carse, Field CISO of SquareX sits down with James W., Valens Global Analyst and creator of the Smoke Signal Newsletter and Burn Signal Podcast. In this episode of The Be Fearless podcast, they discuss the concept of "digital exhaust" and how invisible data trails are weaponized into "weapons of mass disruption". James shares insights from his FBI career, discussing the intersection of human psychology and cybersecurity. They explore the unique challenges CISOs face with employees' consumer behavior impacting corporate security , the future of AI processing on devices , and actionable advice for translating technical complexity into control. 00:00 How readily available personal information is online 10:45 Problems faced by security professionals 16:43 The privacy paradox 23:02 Threats with AI-powered browsers 32:04 Evolution of both computing and browser threats 40:53 On simplifying technical details 49:54 Advice for security writers: Clarity trumps applause 🔔 Follow James and John on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdigitalexhaust/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarse/ 🔥 Powered by SquareX Deployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

    55 min
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About

SquareX is excited to launch The Be Fearless Podcast Series, where we bring together industry experts and professionals from the cybersecurity community.Hosted by SquareX Founder - and cybersecurity veteran - Vivek Ramachandran, look forward to insights about our guests’ journeys in security, the evolution of the field, the changing threatscape and how enterprises across industries are addressing them today. 

Information

  • Creator
    SquareX
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX
  • Show Website
    Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX