Guardians of the Data - Episode #3 - From Tech to Team: People, Culture, Technology - Rick McElroy

🎙 Episode 3: Why Cybersecurity Is About People First with Rick McElroy

In this episode of Guardians of the Data, host Ward Balcerzak (CISO) welcomes Rick McElroy, CEO of Nexasure and seasoned security veteran with over 25 years in the field. Rick sheds light on the human and cultural challenges organizations face in cybersecurity - factors that often matter as much as the technology itself.

From security awareness and cross-generational training to the role of leadership and organizational culture, Rick makes the case for a more holistic approach: one that balances prevention, smart tooling, and the people behind the controls. Along the way, he also shares his personal journey in cybersecurity and offers advice for those looking to enter or grow in the field.

‍In this episode:

• Why education and awareness are just as important as technology
• How to engage leadership early and ensure governance buy-in
• The importance of designing security with people and workflows in mind
• Balancing prevention and smart tooling to avoid wasted investments
• Tailoring training to different generations and learning styles
• Supporting career growth and new entrants into cybersecurity

💡 Quote of the show:

“What I'm actually interested in is a change in behavior to the positive, even if that's a tiny thing that one user does that's more secure than it was yesterday.” – Rick McElroy

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

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