Secure & Simple — Podcast for Consultants and CISOs on Cybersecurity Governance and Compliance

Dejan Kosutic
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“Secure & Simple” demystifies governance and compliance challenges faced by CISOs, consultants, and other cybersecurity professionals. The podcast is hosted by Dejan Kosutic, an expert in cybersecurity governance, ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA. The episodes present topics in an easy-to-understand way and provide you with insight you won’t be able to find elsewhere. To provide comments, suggest topics for the next episodes, or express your interest in participating in the show, contact us at podcast@advisera.com. Learn more about ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA at https://advisera.com.

  1. 4d ago

    ISO 27001 Certification: What Will the Auditor Look For? | Interview with Aron Lange

    In this Secure & Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic (CEO of Advisera) interviews Aron Lange, founder of GRC Lab and an ISO 27001 certification auditor, about what auditors look for in certification audits. Aron highlights common nonconformities and explains how auditors gather objective evidence through interviews, document review, and observation, emphasizing execution over paperwork. The conversation also covers auditor interpretation, challenging unsupported findings, risk-based control auditing, management-system vs security-posture certification, continual improvement, and the difference between nonconformities and opportunities for improvement. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Aron Lange (01:09) - Top Nonconformities in Audits (04:20) - How Auditors Gather Evidence (11:55) - The Limits of Tools Based on SOC 2 (14:05) - Challenging Auditor Interpretations (16:48) - Disputing Nonconformities (19:38) - Problem with Generic Controls (23:07) - Certifying Management System (27:02) - Nonconformity vs Improvement (29:58) - Auditing vs Consulting (32:24) - Auditor Mindset and Trust (35:03) - Prep Tips and Wrap Up (36:30) - Resources for Consultants and CISOs

    38 min

  2. May 19

    Anthropic’s Mythos and the Future of Vulnerability Management | Interview with Thom Langford

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic (CEO at Advisera) speaks with Thom Langford, CTO for the EMEA region at Rapid7, about Anthropic’s new AI model “Mythos” and its impact on cybersecurity. Langford argues that the fundamentals remain the same - discover, risk-contextualize, and patch - but the speed, scale, and volume of findings will surge, exposing immature vulnerability and patch-management programs. They explore continuous vulnerability monitoring tied to the SDLC, potential increases in breaches for less-prepared organizations, governance and arms-race concerns, changes to CISO scrutiny and responsibilities (including AI governance), impacts on budgets, and resilience as a differentiator. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Thom Langford (01:01) - Mythos Hype or Reality? (04:42) - Speed Scale and Patch Basics (06:48) - Maturity Gap and Risk Context (10:16) - Continuous Exposure Management (12:19) - Unprepared Firms and Breach Risk (14:43) - Release Governance and Arms Race (18:29) - CISO Role Under Scrutiny (27:36) - Strategy, Budgets, and Resilience (33:49) - Industry Shifts and Human Loop (38:08) - CISO Prep Recommendations (40:04) - Resources for CISOs and Consultants

    41 min

  3. May 5

    What CISOs Must Do Now About Quantum? | Interview with Andrew Gault

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic (CEO of Advisera) interviews Andrew Gault (CEO of ZeroTier) about how quantum computing could impact cybersecurity, especially encryption and identity. They explain key terms like post-quantum cryptography (PQC), Q-Day, cryptographically relevant quantum computers, and main threats, “harvest now, decrypt later” and “trust now, forge later.” Andrew outlines shifting timelines, citing U.S. CNSA 2.0 requiring quantum-resistant cryptography for new acquisitions after Jan 1, 2027, and broader conversion targets around 2029–2030, plus EU guidance aiming for critical sectors to be quantum resistant by ~2030 and others by 2035. They note PQC algorithms are standardized (e.g., NIST FIPS 203, ML-KEM), but the challenge is operational: inventory systems (“quantum bill of materials”), prioritize crown jewels, engage vendors, budget, and manage upgrades or mitigations for legacy systems, potentially using overlay networks. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Andrew Gault (01:14) - Why Quantum Matters (04:05) - Quantum Terms Explained (06:05) - When Q Day Hits (07:00) - Deadlines and Industry Shifts (11:34) - NIST Approved Algorithms (14:35) - New Threat Models (16:34) - Why Companies Delay (20:30) - Quantum Bill of Materials (23:08) - Executive Priorities (28:49) - Vendor Roadmaps (30:31) - Customer Messaging Strategy (34:02) - CISO Role and Influence (35:37) - Modernization Opportunity (38:59) - Consulting Market Opportunity (40:47) - Action Plan and Wrap Up (42:23) - Resources for Consultants and CISOs

    44 min

  4. Apr 21

    Continual Improvement, Nonconformities, and Corrective Actions | Interview with Carlos Cruz

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic from Advisera interviews Carlos Cruz, founder of Metanoia and an ISO 9001/ISO 14001 expert, about continual improvement in ISO standards and how the concepts apply to cybersecurity. They explain continual improvement through the PDCA cycle, using data and Pareto analysis to focus on key issues, then performing root cause analysis with tools like the fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram and the 5 Whys to avoid stopping at “human error.” They define nonconformities, clarify the difference between corrections (e.g., restoring operations) and corrective actions (i.e., removing root causes to prevent recurrence), and discuss when root cause analysis is warranted, including high-impact or recurring cybersecurity incidents. They also cover documenting and tracking nonconformities via approaches like ticketing systems, consultant do’s and don’ts, and practical ways to motivate management by translating issues into business impact. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Carlos Cruz on continual improvement (01:27) - PDCA and Continual Improvement (05:52) - Improvement Beyond Problems (08:22) - Nonconformities Explained (11:47) - When to Do Root Cause Analysis (15:19) - Pareto and Fishbone Methods (17:39) - Using the Five Whys Method (21:27) - Building Root Cause Culture (25:00) - Who Reports Nonconformities (29:27) - Corrections vs Corrective Actions (34:25) - Documenting Without Bureaucracy (40:32) - Consultants Do and Don'ts (47:02) - Selling Improvement to Management (50:00) - Top Tips for Continual Improvement (54:39) - Resources for Consultants and Security Officers

    56 min

  5. Apr 7

    Cyber Ranges, Attack Simulations & AI: Proving Cyber Readiness | Interview with Lee Rossey

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic (CEO of Advisera) speaks with Lee Rossey, CTO and co-founder of SimSpace, about why much cybersecurity training is becoming outdated as AI accelerates both threats and defensive stacks. Rossey explains “train like you fight” through realistic, hands-on, team-based cyber range exercises that emulate an organization’s environment, tools, background traffic, and real attack scenarios such as ransomware and lateral movement. They discuss how cyber ranges complement tabletop exercises, what must be most realistic (security tools, attacks, and traffic), who should participate (SOC, IT, business owners, and leadership), and what typically breaks first under pressure. The conversation covers metrics like time to detect/respond/recover, ROI, and tool rationalization, evolving ranges for cloud/OT and AI, and the need to validate and govern AI-infused security tools with trust and oversight. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Lee Rossey (01:18) - Why Training Is Outdated (04:56) - What Is a Cyber Range (07:53) - Building Realistic Attacks (12:40) - Leadership Value and ROI (15:49) - Who Should Participate (19:53) - Senior Leaders in the Hot Seat (23:41) - Lessons From Debriefs (25:04) - Ranges Evolving With AI (30:33) - Preparing For A Cyber Range (32:15) - Measuring Exercise Results & Reporting (34:43) - Turning Findings Into Change (38:33) - AI Governance And Trust (41:39) - Regulations And Standards (45:41) - Resources for Consultants and Cybersecurity Professionals

    47 min

  6. Mar 24

    AI Agents vs. AI Agents: The Future of Security Operations | Interview with Monzy Merza

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic from Advisera interviews Monzy Merza, co-founder and CEO of Crogl, about how cybersecurity is shifting to an “agent versus agent” world where attackers task AI agents to run fast, low-cost, sophisticated campaigns without human approvals. Merza outlines core security operations activities—preparation/tooling, alert investigation, and response—and explains how AI is changing each, including AI SOC agents that automatically connect to multiple data sources, enrich alerts, run MITRE kill chain analysis, and produce investigation reports, as well as AI-driven response actions and documentation. They discuss when humans must remain in the loop for high-impact decisions, how organizations build trust through phased adoption with measurable use cases, why roles may shift from analysts to more security engineers, and governance needs like flexible integrations, model choice, and transparency in AI security tools. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining - Crogl company https://crogl.com/- 2026 State of SecOps Report https://www.crogl.com/newsroom/state-of-secops-ai (00:00) - Interview with Monzy Merza (00:58) - Agent vs Agent Threats (03:22) - Three Phases of SecOps (05:53) - AI SOC Investigation Example (08:41) - Autonomy vs Human in the Loop (12:48) - Human Only Decisions (16:43) - Building Trust and Maturity (19:07) - Future Security Roles (24:24) - AI Change Wave (27:08) - Testing AI Maturity (29:25) - Governance Framework Gap (31:15) - Policy Meets Hallucinations (34:50) - Business Alignment Example (37:14) - Governance Requirements (41:57) - SOC Roles Reshaped (47:26) - Resources for Consultants and Cybersecurity Professionals

    49 min

  7. Mar 10

    Zero Trust as a Mindset: Identity, Governance, and Access | Interview with Andrew Gault

    In this Secure and Simple Podcast episode, host Dejan Kosutic (CEO of Advisera) interviews Andrew Gault (CEO of ZeroTier) about Zero Trust as a strategy and mindset rather than a single technology, shifting away from perimeter-based security to “default deny” with continuous verification. Gault outlines core layers such as identity for users and devices, policy-based scoring, encryption, and ongoing monitoring to reduce lateral movement when breaches occur. They discuss extending zero trust principles to suppliers by issuing vendor identities managed centrally, governance needs like documented access policies, change management, and least privilege, and challenges such as shared credentials and the ongoing effort to keep permissions current. The conversation also covers non-human identities for AI agents, service accounts, ownership and lifecycle management, audit expectations under SOC 2 and ISO 27001, vendor lock-in tradeoffs, and using inventories and exception reduction as practical KPIs. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview Andrew Gault (00:47) - Strategy Not Perimeter (02:40) - Core Layers Explained (03:53) - Vendors And Suppliers (07:37) - Risks Reduced And Limits (12:24) - Non-Human Identities (16:04) - Managing Machine Accounts (18:34) - Governance And Policies (23:35) - Who Owns Zero Trust (25:40) - Building Security Culture (27:20) - Measuring Zero Trust Impact (30:08) - Compliance vs Real Security (34:35) - Avoiding Vendor Lock In (38:33) - KPIs and Legacy Exceptions (44:25) - Resources for Consultants and Cybersecurity Professionals

    46 min

  8. Feb 24

    Responding to Ransomware Attack [Case Study] | Interview with Yannick Hirt

    Dejan Kosutic interviews Yannick Hirt from ODCUS about his experience with a real ransomware attack on an international industrial company. They discuss likely phishing entry via a privileged IT account, overnight encryption, and setting up a war room. The company restored critical systems from verified cloud backups without paying, while briefly negotiating via a Dutch specialist as the attacker threatened data release. Key lessons include tested backups, detection and provider SLAs, privileged access controls, BIA/process mapping, strong documentation and forensics, communications, insurance coordination, and regular training. Links from the episode: - Conformio software to streamline and scale ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance for your clients: https://advisera.co/Conformio-software- White label documentation toolkits for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other ISO standards to create all the required documents for your clients: https://advisera.co/page-all-toolkits - Accredited Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer courses for various standards and frameworks to show your expertise to potential clients: https://advisera.co/Consultant-Courses- Company Training Academy with numerous videos for NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001, and other frameworks to organize training and awareness programs for your client’s workforce: https://advisera.co/page-Company-Training-Account  - Beginner's Course for ISO, Cybersecurity, and AI Consultants: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHwD3nQun7caKFq80LxNNYKIabATlyA7t- How to Grow Your Cybersecurity, ISO, or AI Consultancy: Advanced Course:https://advisera.co/GrowYourConsultancyTraining  (00:00) - Interview with Yannick Hirt (00:54) - How the Attack Started: Cloud Transformation, Gaps, and a Phishing Entry Point (04:06) - Day Zero Response: Disconnecting Systems and Standing Up the War Room (07:54) - Early Critical Decisions: Recovery Streams, Stakeholders, Police & Insurance (09:08) - Restore vs Rebuild: Mapping Critical Apps and Validating Backups (11:11) - Talking to the Attackers: “Service Desk” Negotiations and Typical Ransom Size (14:09) - To Pay or Not to Pay: Strategy, Data-Leak Risk, and Criminal “Reliability” (16:12) - Recovery Timeline & Aftermath: Dark Web Leak, Employee Calls, and Government Response (21:20) - Who Decides the Recovery Order? IT + Business Alignment (23:47) - PR in the War Room: Internal Updates, Guidelines & External Liaison (25:06) - Senior Management’s Real Job During Recovery (27:38) - Working With Cyber Insurance: Support Now, Paperwork Later (30:37) - Forensic Report Deep Dive: Entry Point, Lateral Movement, and Tradeoffs (32:25) - Consultants in a Ransomware Crisis: Networks, Pragmatism, and Calm (41:30) - Resources for Consultants and Cybersecurity Professionals

    43 min
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About

“Secure & Simple” demystifies governance and compliance challenges faced by CISOs, consultants, and other cybersecurity professionals. The podcast is hosted by Dejan Kosutic, an expert in cybersecurity governance, ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA. The episodes present topics in an easy-to-understand way and provide you with insight you won’t be able to find elsewhere. To provide comments, suggest topics for the next episodes, or express your interest in participating in the show, contact us at podcast@advisera.com. Learn more about ISO 27001, NIS2, and DORA at https://advisera.com.

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