Secured with Dr. KJ

Episode OverviewIn this Season 3 premiere, Ben Masino, President and Chief Growth Officer at Avertium, discusses how security enables business growth rather than hindering it. We explore building security programs through the Microsoft Security platform, the critical role of data hygiene in AI adoption, and meeting customers where they are for long-term success.GuestBen MasinoPresident & Chief Growth Officer, AvertiumLinkedIn: Ben MasinoKey TopicsAvertium's Approach"Assess, Design, Protect" methodology for regulated industriesServing healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and finance sectors20+ years combined experience in security and complianceAI Readiness Through DataSecuring your data estate is foundational for AI successUsing Microsoft Purview for data discovery and governanceBridging executive AI mandates with IT/security realitiesCustomer SuccessHealthcare company journey: pen test to full MXDR partnershipIntune misconfiguration discovery and remediationBuilding trust through actionable assessmentsCustomer Zero PhilosophyAvertium uses Microsoft E5, Sentinel, and Defender internally firstTesting Copilot for Security to enhance analyst workLeading into the future with proven expertiseTimestamps00:00 - Introduction00:20 - Avertium's mission in security02:05 - Common challenges across regulated industries03:44 - Assess, Design, Protect methodology05:54 - Customer success story08:26 - AI readiness and data estates10:57 - Bridging executives and IT teams12:57 - Customer Zero approach15:09 - Final thoughtsResourcesAvertium: avertium.comMicrosoft Security: Sentinel, Defender XDR, PurviewCompliance: HIPAA, PCI, NERC, High TrustKey TakeawaysFocus creates depth - specialization builds meaningful partnershipsData hygiene before AI - organize your data estate firstMeet customers where they are - tactical starts lead to strategic relationshipsBe your own customer zero - internal testing builds real expertiseSecurity enables business - proper programs accelerate outcomesConnectSubscribe to Secured with Dr. KJ on your favorite podcast platform.Feedback, topics, or want to be a guest? Visit: Secured with Dr. KJ - PodcastKeep securing tomorrow, one episode at a time.

Episode: AI, Mental Health & the Human Side of CybersecurityGuest: Jameeka Green AaronGuest Title: Chief Information Security Officer, HeadspaceEpisode SummaryJameeka Green Aaron, CISO at Headspace, joins Dr. KJ for a candid conversation on protecting mental health data, the limitations of AI in clinical settings, and why humanity must remain a non-negotiable in cybersecurity. As a Navy veteran and black woman in tech leadership, Jameeka also shares powerful insights on representation, courage, and the fight for equity in the industry.Discussion Topics & Timestamps(00:00) Introduction and guest welcome(01:45) AI in mental health: balancing innovation with patient protection(08:30) Guardrails and governance: the CIA triad applied to AI(14:20) Why security leadership is critical in healthcare(21:30) Explaining security concepts to clinicians and product teams(24:30) Leadership, representation, and courage as a black veteran in cybersecurityKey TakeawaysHumanity is a non-negotiable – AI lacks empathy, context, and the ability to read nonverbal cues. In mental health, models must never instruct users to harm themselves or others—guardrails must be absolute.Data professionals are the linchpin of AI – Good data in, good data out. De-identification, anonymization, and clean data practices are essential before training any model on sensitive health information.Protecting and healing go together – Security in healthcare isn't a barrier; it's an enabler. Clinicians already understand patient privacy deeply—security leadership helps them extend that protection through technology.Resources & Frameworks MentionedHIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ActHITRUST – Healthcare information security certificationCIA Triad – Confidentiality, Integrity, AvailabilityHeadspace Ebb – AI companion that helps users navigate mental health contentLarge Language Models (LLMs) – Foundation for AI-powered toolsNotable Quotes"Technology is about people. Everything we create is for the greater good of humanity. As a CISO, I'm here to enable innovation and protect people from the woes of that innovation.""AI has the discernment of a mouse. It doesn't know if the data you provided is truthful or accurate.""Protecting and healing go together."ConnectGuest: Jameeka Green Aaron – (13) Jameeka Green Aaron, CISSP | LinkedInHost: Dr. Kenneth Johnson – (13) Dr. Kenneth Johnson, CISSP | LinkedInSecuring tomorrow, one episode at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode: Healthcare Modernization – Cloud Migration & Responsible AIGuest: Stephen Clark, Enterprise Solution ArchitectEpisode SummaryStephen Clark joins Dr. KJ to discuss how healthcare organizations can modernize legacy systems and embrace AI without compromising patient care or data security. The conversation covers phased cloud migration strategies, balancing clinical access with HIPAA compliance, and implementing AI responsibly to improve patient outcomes while protecting against bias.Discussion Topics & Timestamps- (00:00): Introduction and guest welcome- (01:05): Legacy systems and phased cloud migration strategies- (08:30): Hot sites, lift-and-shift vs. hybrid cloud approaches- (13:20): Balancing clinical access with privacy and compliance- (16:30): AI in healthcare: security applications and responsible implementation- (24:00): Final thoughts: blueprints, executive buy-in, and crawl-walk-runKey TakeawaysAvoid the "big bang" approach – Healthcare cloud migration requires a phased, methodical strategy. Hybrid cloud lets you maintain existing DR/BC plans while modernizing incrementally.Data assessment comes first – Before addressing compliance, security, or migration, you must understand your current state: where data lives, what integrations exist, and who's consuming it.AI needs governance from day one – Responsible AI in healthcare requires clean data, continuous monitoring, transparency in decision-making, and a robust ethical framework policy.Notable Quotes"AI, to me today, has the discernment of a mouse. AI doesn't really discern today—it doesn't know if the data provided is truthful or accurate.""Don't try to boil the ocean. Start with thorough assessments, prioritize compliance and security, and ensure you have executive buy-in before diving in."ConnectGuest: Stephen Clark – (12) Stephen Clark | LinkedInHost: Dr. Kenneth Johnson – (12) Dr. Kenneth Johnson, CISSP | LinkedInSecuring tomorrow, one episode at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Security & LeadershipShow: Secured with Dr. KJGuest: Carl Mosby III — solutions engineering leader, trusted advisor, people-first technologistEpisode type: Leadership & culture / AI & securityEpisode snapshotLeadership today sits at the intersection of people and rapidly evolving tech. Carl Mosby III unpacks what effective leadership looks like when security and technology are inseparable—covering education-first cultures, leading without ego, activating others, and keeping trust and ethics at the center as AI accelerates change.Key topicsPeople-first leadership in a high-velocity tech eraEducation as a core security control (making risks & methods visible)Leading without ego: listening, advocacy, and “multiplicity”Activating others: sponsorship, visibility, and shared successAI with guardrails: ethics, trust, and avoiding shiny-object syndromeTimestamps00:00 – 01:04 | Show open & what we cover on Secured with Dr. KJ01:05 – 02:12 | Guest intro: who Carl is & where he leads02:23 – 05:21 | Q1: Leadership when security & tech are inseparable (education, pace of change)05:57 – 07:04 | Leading without ego: balancing urgency with protecting people07:04 – 12:00 | Multiplicity & advocacy: listening, sponsorship, and letting others shine12:00 – 15:30 | AI & leadership: trust, ethics, quality, and resisting over-reliance15:30 – 19:15 | Staying people-centric while tech scales; vulnerability as strength19:18 – 23:12 | The future of leadership: connection, North Stars, and secure growth23:34 – end | Wrap & takeaway5 takeaways to rememberSecurity is a people practice. Training, context, and communication are as critical as controls.Lead without ego. Listen first, advocate often, and elevate others—especially into the rooms that matter.Build multiplicity. Scale impact by empowering teammates with visibility, ownership, and support.Treat AI as an accelerant, not a replacement. Keep trust, ethics, and human judgment at the center.Connection drives performance. Teams work harder when they feel seen, supported, and aligned to purpose.Resources mentionedConferences, forums, and cross-org engagement as leadership force multipliersPrinciples: open-door culture, sponsorship, and people-centric rhythmsConnect with the guestCarl Mosby III: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-mosby-iii/Listen & subscribeAcast: https://shows.acast.com/secured-with-dr-kjApple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube: search “Secured with Dr. KJ”Support the showIf this episode resonated, share it with a teammate, leave a quick rating/review, and follow for new conversations on leadership, AI, and security.Securing tomorrow, one episode at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Proactive Defense: Shaping the Future of CybersecurityEpisode Title: AI in Cybersecurity: A New EraHost & Guest:Host: Dr. Kenneth “KJ” JohnsonGuest: Joshua BoyceDuration: ~16 minutesKeywords:AI, cybersecurity, proactive defense, threat intelligence, data quality, incident response, human oversight, collaboration, security leaders, trustEpisode Summary:In this conversation, Joshua Boyce joins Dr. KJ to explore how AI is transforming cybersecurity from a reactive posture to a proactive defense model. They unpack the critical role of data quality in ensuring AI-driven systems are effective, the growing importance of cross-industry collaboration for threat intelligence sharing, and how organizations can balance AI automation with human oversight. The discussion underscores that AI should be viewed as a force multiplier, enhancing human capability rather than replacing it. The episode concludes with insights on building trust in AI systems and why security leaders must treat AI as an accelerant to human potential—one that reshapes both the attack surface and the way defenders respond.What You’ll Learn:Why AI is becoming a teammate in the SOC (Security Operations Center).How data quality determines the success of AI in cybersecurity.The value of cross-industry collaboration for proactive threat defense.Why human oversight remains essential in an AI-driven world.How organizations can shift from reactive to proactive cybersecurity strategies.Key Takeaways:AI is a force multiplier, not a replacement for human defenders.Data quality is foundational to effective AI implementation.Collaboration is essential for sharing threat intelligence across industries.Trust in AI systems is vital for long-term success.The future of cybersecurity is proactive, not reactive.Memorable Quotes:“AI is becoming a teammate in the SOC.”“AI is a force multiplier, not a replacement.”“Garbage in, garbage out.”Connect with the guestJoshua Boyce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaboyce/Listen & subscribeAcast: https://shows.acast.com/secured-with-dr-kjApple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube: Search “Secured with Dr. KJ”Support the showIf this episode helped you, share it with your team, leave a quick rating/review, and follow the show for new episodes on cloud security, Zero Trust, AI-driven defense, and more.Securing tomorrow, one episode at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.