Columns For a more personalized view of the security industry, follow our team of contributing experts as they examine security, risk management, leadership, education and more https://www.securitymagazine.com/rss/2644-columns en-us Are You the Insider Threat? jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) A conference invitation can be easy to justify: new ideas, contacts, technology, and professional development. A conference invitation can be easy to justify: new ideas, contacts, technology, and professional development.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102585 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102585-are-you-the-insider-threat You Asked. Now Ask Again. Good leadership often hinges on asking good questions. My journalism and media-training background particularly informs how I approach them. Good leadership often hinges on asking good questions. My journalism and media-training background particularly informs how I approach them.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102569 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102569-you-asked-now-ask-again The Human Breaking Point: A Reality Check on the 2026 State of Cybersecurity We’ve spent years treating the “cybersecurity talent gap” like a math problem. We’ve spent years treating the “cybersecurity talent gap” like a math problem.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102567 Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102567-the-human-breaking-point-a-reality-check-on-the-2026-state-of-cybersecurity Preventing AI Data Breaches and Leaks Approximately 612,000 UK businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach in the past year, according to the UK Government's Cyber security breaches survey with OpenAI and Anthropic most recently having committed data breaches from uninstructed cyberattacks. Approximately 612,000 UK businesses experienced a cybersecurity breach in the past year, according to the UK Government's Cyber security breaches survey with OpenAI and Anthropic most recently having committed data breaches from uninstructed cyberattacks.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102611 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102611-preventing-ai-data-breaches-and-leaks Beyond 1999: The Case for AI-Augmented Vulnerability Orchestration Threat actors use AI and automation to weaponize flaws in milliseconds. Meanwhile, defensive teams remain shackled to spreadsheets, ticket chains, and 30-day approval cycles. Threat actors use AI and automation to weaponize flaws in milliseconds. Meanwhile, defensive teams remain shackled to spreadsheets, ticket chains, and 30-day approval cycles. 

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102524 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102524-beyond-1999-the-case-for-ai-augmented-vulnerability-orchestration The Leadership Test You Don't Know You're Taking When I was in high school, students joked that you got 200 points on the SAT simply for writing your name. True or not, it captured an important idea: your name got you into the game but didn't distinguish you from anyone else. When I was in high school, students joked that you got 200 points on the SAT simply for writing your name. True or not, it captured an important idea: your name got you into the game but didn't distinguish you from anyone else.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102523 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102523-the-leadership-test-you-dont-know-youre-taking Strategies for Navigating Security Job Title Chaos jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) The most consistent pattern we are seeing across security leadership searches right now is about credibility.

The most consistent pattern we are seeing across security leadership searches right now is about credibility.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102522 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102522-strategies-for-navigating-security-job-title-chaos Striking a Balance Raymond Hankins, Chief Security Officer, Security Branch, at National Labor Relations Board talks about striking the balance of securing government facilities while maintaining an opening environment to the public. Raymond Hankins, Chief Security Officer, Security Branch, at National Labor Relations Board talks about striking the balance of securing government facilities while maintaining an opening environment to the public.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102519 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102519-striking-a-balance The Readiness Gap: Navigating the Shift from AI Experimentation to Expectation Artificial Intelligence has officially crossed the threshold from a leading-edge experiment to a foundational business utility. Artificial Intelligence has officially crossed the threshold from a leading-edge experiment to a foundational business utility.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102467 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102467-the-readiness-gap-navigating-the-shift-from-ai-experimentation-to-expectation Wheel and Spoke Too Soon Recently, a well-meaning LinkedIn colleague posted a “wheel of privilege” exercise. Recently, a well-meaning LinkedIn colleague posted a “wheel of privilege” exercise.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102469 Mon, 17 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102469-wheel-and-spoke-too-soon Make LinkedIn Work for Your Security Career jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) Your LinkedIn presence is often the first leadership meeting you will never know you had.< Your LinkedIn presence is often the first leadership meeting you will never know you had.<

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102466 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102466-make-linkedin-work-for-your-security-career Stop, Drop, and Roll Insights from national fire prevention standards for active shooter prevention. Insights from national fire prevention standards for active shooter prevention.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102462 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102462-stop-drop-and-roll Don’t Ignore the Most Important System You Manage Be sure to maintain the most critical piece of infrastructure: the human running it. Be sure to maintain the most critical piece of infrastructure: the human running it.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102448 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102448-dont-ignore-the-most-important-system-you-manage The Hidden Power of Advisory Boards Security leaders discuss the importance of advisory boards in the industry. Security leaders discuss the importance of advisory boards in the industry.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102446 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102446-the-hidden-power-of-advisory-boards Convergence as a Security Career Edge jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) Convergence is no longer just an organizational idea; it can be a personal career strategy. Convergence is no longer just an organizational idea; it can be a personal career strategy.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102445 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102445-convergence-as-a-security-career-edge Identifying Government Leaders Who Will Succeed in Corporate Security jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) A candidate’s background and career level by themselves do not forecast results. A candidate’s background and career level by themselves do not forecast results.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102383 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102383-identifying-government-leaders-who-will-succeed-in-corporate-security Can Thought Leadership Erode Leadership Credibility? A discussion on how much thought leadership contribution is too much. A discussion on how much thought leadership contribution is too much.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102382 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102382-can-thought-leadership-erode-leadership-credibility AIBOMs: Bringing AI Security Out of the Shadows, A Practical Guide for Security Professionals AIBOMs are no longer optional; they are essential for securing AI deployments. AIBOMs are no longer optional; they are essential for securing AI deployments.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102381 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102381-aiboms-bringing-ai-security-out-of-the-shadows-a-practical-guide-for-security-professionals Mentorship Matters Industry leader explore the role mentorship plays in professional journeys. Industry leader explore the role mentorship plays in professional journeys.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102380 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102380-mentorship-matters Weaponizing SBOMs: A Practical Guide for Security Practitioners Turn guesswork into precision with Software Bills of Materials. Turn guesswork into precision with Software Bills of Materials.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102275 Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102275-weaponizing-sboms-a-practical-guide-for-security-practitioners Cultural Fit Decides If You Will Thrive in a New Security Role jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) Finding the right cultural fit can be central to succeeding in a new security position. Finding the right cultural fit can be central to succeeding in a new security position.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102274 Fri, 22 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102274-cultural-fit-decides-if-you-will-thrive-in-a-new-security-role Digital Trust and Identity at ISC West ISC West keynote highlights how gaps across physical access points, digital systems and human processes undermine trust and organizational resilience. ISC West keynote highlights how gaps across physical access points, digital systems and human processes undermine trust and organizational resilience.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102258 Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102258-digital-trust-and-identity-at-isc-west Protecting U.S. Critical Infrastructure as Global Tensions Rise Security leader discusses protecting critical infrastructure as geopolitical tensions grow. Security leader discusses protecting critical infrastructure as geopolitical tensions grow.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102222 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102222-protecting-us-critical-infrastructure-as-global-tensions-rise Security Career or Security Blanket? Turning Fearful Staying into Commitment jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) Building a culture where your best security people choose your organization is key. Building a culture where your best security people choose your organization is key.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102218 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102218-security-career-or-security-blanket-turning-fearful-staying-into-commitment Succeeding an Underwhelming Leader Security leaders discuss taking over leadership after an underperforming leader. Security leaders discuss taking over leadership after an underperforming leader.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102217 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102217-succeeding-an-underwhelming-leader The Privacy–Security Partnership: How We Bend Risk in a Resource Crunch The partnership between cybersecurity and privacy matters now more than ever. The partnership between cybersecurity and privacy matters now more than ever.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102216 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102216-the-privacysecurity-partnership-how-we-bend-risk-in-a-resource-crunch Advance Your Cybersecurity Career algerj@bnpmedia.com (Jordyn Alger) Security magazine talks with a CISO about how cyber professionals can advance their careers. Security magazine talks with a CISO about how cyber professionals can advance their careers.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102214 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102214-advance-your-cybersecurity-career Recognizing Leadership and Industry Insight Input from readers strengthens Security Magazine annual initiatives. Input from readers strengthens Security Magazine annual initiatives.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102194 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102194-recognizing-leadership-and-industry-insight Succeeding A Legendary Leader What happens when stepping into the shadow of a seemingly irreplaceable predecessor. What happens when stepping into the shadow of a seemingly irreplaceable predecessor.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102193 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102193-succeeding-a-legendary-leader Is Crowdsourcing Your Security Plan a Career Risk? jerry@smrgroup.com (Jerry J. Brennan) Build meaningful insights from relationships with other security leaders. Build meaningful insights from relationships with other security leaders.

]]> http://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102176 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/102176-is-crowdsourcing-your-security-plan-a-career-risk