Guardians of the Data - Episode #2 - Ensuring Business Alignment in Data Security - Rick DeLoach

🎙 Episode 2: You Can’t Protect What You Don’t Know You Have with Rick DeLoach

In the second episode of Guardians of the Data, host Ward Balcerzak sits down with Rick DeLoach, Deputy CISO at ADT, to unpack why data discovery and classification are the foundation of every strong security program.

With over 20 years in cybersecurity, Rick shares how organizations can build governance that works in practice combining process, policy, and technology while ensuring security enables, not blocks, the business.

‍In this episode:

• How to align security with business priorities so protections support operations
• Where AI fits into modern security programs — and how to integrate it responsibly
• Why proactive measures always beat reactive firefighting
• What it takes to shift security’s role from “the department of no” to trusted business partner
• Rick’s unconventional journey from finance student to security leader

💡 Quote of the show:

“You don't know how to protect something if you don't know what it is and where it's at.” – Rick DeLoach

▶️ Watch the full episode above, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.