Root To CISO

Kris Rides
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

Do you aspire to become a Chief Information Security Officer?The Root to CISO podcast provides firsthand career stories from experienced CISOs on their journey to success in the cybersecurity industry.  Offering valuable guidance for aspiring professionals in the field through personal experiences and practical advice. 

  1. 3d ago

    How To Identify What Is For You And Move On From One That Isn’t | Root To CISO Podcast

    In today’s part 2 episode of our chat with Zachary Lewis, CIO & CISO at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, we go deeper into the side of cybersecurity careers most people avoid talking about: what happens when the role you took turns out to be the wrong one. From walking into an understaffed team that couldn’t hire, to navigating internal politics, leadership misalignment, and roles that look good on paper but fall apart in practice, this conversation breaks down what it really means to recognize when something isn’t working and make a move. They get into: 📌 The red flags you should be looking for before accepting a role  📌 Why some environments make it impossible to succeed, no matter how good you are  📌 The hiring dysfunction that leaves teams stuck and overworked   📌 Why staying out of loyalty can do more harm than leaving  📌 How to think about short tenures and explain them without damaging your career This episode also dives into real-world leadership challenges, from rebuilding teams during uncertainty to navigating rapid change, including scaling infrastructure during COVID and responding to a ransomware incident. If you’re in a role that doesn’t feel right, or you’re evaluating your next move, this episode will help you ask better questions, spot problems earlier, and make decisions that actually move your career forward. 🎧 Share this with someone who’s trying to figure out whether to stay or leave. #RootToCISO #Podcast #CyberSecurity #CyberSecurityCareers #CISO #CareerDecisions #CyberSecurityJobs #Leadership

  2. Jul 21

    Stop Waiting For Opportunities And Start Taking Initiative | Root To CISO Podcast

    Most people are waiting for the "right opportunity” but most times, you have to create the opportunity yourself. In this week's episode of the Root to CISO podcast, Zachary Lewis breaks down how taking initiative early completely changed the trajectory of his career. From fixing computers in high school to stepping into leadership roles across IT and cybersecurity, he had never been one to just wait for the opportunities he wanted. He approached companies directly, started a side business before even graduating, took on extra roles just to learn, and worked night shifts while building his experience. None of it was part of a perfect plan, but it all compounded. If you’re trying to break into cybersecurity, IT, or level up in your career, this episode shows what actually makes the difference. It’s not just skills or certifications, it’s what you do when no one is asking you to step up. They also chat about:  How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them  Why early initiative matters more than experience  The real reason some people progress faster than others  How taking on “extra” work can accelerate your career  Building momentum before you feel ready This is for anyone stuck waiting, applying, or unsure what their next move should be. #RootToCISO #Podcast #CareerAdvice #CybersecurityUSA #Leadership #Hiring #CybersecurityPodcast

  3. Jul 14

    Why Taking a “Step Back” Might Be A Smart Cybersecurity Career Move | Root To CISO Podcast

    In today's episode, we take a look into the stories of senior cybersecurity leaders we've had the privilege of talking. We unpack a reality most people don’t talk about: the best career moves often look like steps backward. From turning down higher-paying roles and CISO titles… to choosing opportunities that offer more learning, impact, and long-term growth, this conversation breaks down what it really means to think long-term in cybersecurity. They get into: 📌 Why “backward” or sideways moves can accelerate your career  📌 How to evaluate opportunities beyond salary and title  📌 The importance of learning vs. optics in career decisions  📌 Why trusting your gut matters more than external validation  📌 How to think about trade-offs: what you gain vs. what you give and how to make a decision Successful career journeys aren’t about perfect plans or climbing a straight ladder. They are about making intentional decisions, staying curious, and putting yourself in environments where you can grow, even if it doesn’t make sense to everyone else and looks like a step backward. If you’re early in your career, feeling stuck, or questioning your next move, this episode will help you reframe how you think about progress. 🎧 Share with someone who might need to hear this! #RootToCISO #Podcast #CyberSecurity #CyberSecurityCareers #CISO  #CareerGrowth #CyberSecurityJobs #Leadership

  4. Jul 7

    You Don’t Need Another Cybersecurity Certification…Do This Instead | Root To CISO Podcast

    Certifications feel like progress… but this episode shows why they’re often not what actually moves your career forward. In part 2 of our conversation with Adam Robertson, VP of Enterprise Technology & Information Security at Virgin Galactic, he unpacks what really creates momentum in a cybersecurity career and why relying on certifications alone can leave people feeling stuck.  As he reflects on his own journey, from early roles through to leadership, it becomes obvious that the biggest opportunities didn’t come from what was on his CV, they came from being in the right environments, building relationships, and putting himself in positions where things could happen. We get into:  Why certifications help you get started, but won’t move your career on their own  How the “learn, certify, apply” model is becoming less effective  The role networking and proximity play in unlocking real opportunities  The value of broad experience across cybersecurity domains  Why specializing too early can limit your long-term growth  Why fundamentals matter more than chasing the next certification or trend If you’re trying to break into cybersecurity or figure out why your progress feels slower than expected, this episode offers a more honest perspective on what actually makes the difference. Certifications aren’t the problem, but they’re not the solution either. 🎧 If you haven’t watched Part 1 yet, go back and start there, it sets the foundation for everything discussed in this episode. #RootToCISO #CyberSecurity #CISO #CareerGrowth #CybersecurityCertifications  #Leadership #Hiring #CyberSecurityTips

  5. Jun 30

    The Cybersecurity Advice That Seems Obvious But Most People Ignore | Root To CISO Podcast

    If you want to grow fast in cybersecurity, put yourself in situations where you’re forced to learn. In this episode of Root to CISO, Kris sits down with Adam Robertson, VP of Enterprise Technology & Information Security at Virgin Galactic, to break down what his cybersecurity career journey looks like. He had no perfect roadmap, no textbook progression, just real decisions, real risks, and real growth. From starting out as an apprentice and getting made redundant during the dot-com crash… to breaking into cybersecurity through certifications, landing a SOC role, moving across industries, and eventually stepping into executive leadership — Adam’s journey is anything but linear. They get into: How he broke into cybersecurity without a degreeHow certifications opened doors for him early onThe real role networking plays in landing leadership opportunitiesWhy “luck” sometimes matters, and how to create your ownWhat consulting teaches you that full-time roles don’tWhy mastering the basics matters more than chasing trendsIf you’re trying to get into cybersecurity, grow into leadership, or eventually become a CISO, this episode gives you a real-world perspective on what it actually takes. No shortcuts. No perfect plans. Just consistent learning, smart moves, and putting yourself in the right rooms. 🎧 Part 2 drops next week — make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it. #RootToCISO #CyberSecurity #CISO #CyberSecurityCareer #InfoSec #CareerGrowth #TechCareers #CyberSecurityJobs #Leadership #CyberSecurityTips

  6. Jun 23

    Unconventional Journeys to Cybersecurity Leadership | Root To CISO Podcast

    Want to become a CISO? Sometimes things don't go as planned and it's oka In this bite-sized episode of Root to CISO Byte Size, we recap the career journeys of some cybersecurity leaders. They share their real career journeys, from finance, helpdesk, government, and consulting into senior security leadership roles. You’ll learn why there’s no single path into cybersecurity leadership, and what actually matters if you want to stand out and progress. The episode covers: * How these CISOs actually started their careers (it’s rarely cyber first) * How sideways and backwards career moves are shape your career * Learning by doing, figuring things out before feeling “ready” *  Taking opportunities others would hesitate to take (even without full experience) * Treating every role like ownership, not just a job Whether you're starting out in cybersecurity or aiming for leadership, this episode breaks down the mindset, decisions, and experiences that shape top CISOs. Subscribe for more insights from real cybersecurity leaders. #CISO #CyberSecurityCareer #InfoSec #CyberSecurityLeadership #GRC #TechCareers

  7. Jun 16

    The Leadership Lessons No One Teaches You in Cybersecurity | Root To CISO Podcast

    What does it really take to become a great leader in cybersecurity? In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast, Kris Rides sits down for part 2 with Jenai Marinkovic to break down more of her career and the real traits, habits, and mindset that separate average professionals from exceptional leaders in cybersecurity. From building side projects and leading without authority to thinking differently and creating your own opportunities, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to step into leadership roles like CISO. 💡 One of the biggest takeaways:  Great leaders aren’t given opportunities, they create them. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:  How to stand out in a highly competitive cybersecurity job market  Why side projects are critical for leadership growth  The mindset shift required to move into leadership roles  How to lead even when you don’t have the title  Why networking and visibility matter more than your CV  The real impact of AI on cybersecurity careers and entry-level roles 🎯 Who this is for:  Aspiring CISOs  Cybersecurity professionals looking to level up  Anyone looking to level up in their career and climb up the ladder Leaders wanting practical, real-world advice 📢 Call to Action: If you’re serious about growing your career in cybersecurity, make sure to subscribe and follow the Root to CISO podcast for more real conversations with top industry leaders. #RootToCISO #Podcast #CISO #CareerAdvise #Leadership

  8. Jun 9

    This Career Mistake Slows Many Cybersecurity Professionals Down | Root To CISO Podcast

    What does it really take to become a CISO? In this episode of the Root to CISO Podcast (Season 3), we sit down with Jenai Marinkovic, a cybersecurity leader with over 25 years of experience, vCISO at our company, Tiro Security & CEO, GRCIE. Jenai, breaks down the reality behind building a career in cybersecurity leadership. She shares how she entered cybersecurity in the early days of the internet and worked her way through nearly every role in the industry, from engineering and architecture to investigations, leadership, and eventually CISO-level responsibility. We dive into:  How to transition from individual contributor → team lead → manager → director The biggest mistakes leaders make (and what it actually takes to grow)  Why understanding the business matters more than technical skills The challenge of letting go and leading through others Why linear career paths can limit your growthIf you're trying to break into cybersecurity, move into leadership, or become a CISO, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look at the journey. 🎧 Part 1 of 2 — Part 2 coming next week #RootToCISO #Cybersecurity #Leadership #CareerSuccess

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About

Do you aspire to become a Chief Information Security Officer?The Root to CISO podcast provides firsthand career stories from experienced CISOs on their journey to success in the cybersecurity industry.  Offering valuable guidance for aspiring professionals in the field through personal experiences and practical advice. 

Information

  • Creator
    Kris Rides
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Root To CISO
  • Show Website
    Root To CISO