Episode #132. Why Your Cybersecurity Career Should Begin Outside Of Cyber, Eric Brown, founder of IT Audit Labswith
AI isn't going to take our jobs; it's the people who know AI who will.
In this episode, Eric Brown emphasizes security as a business enabler across diverse sectors like government, healthcare, and manufacturing, and highlights the imperative of understanding and harnessing AI. He also touches on the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of peer support, and personal interests like aviation. He also offers sage advice for those aspiring to enter cybersecurity, stressing the value of foundational IT experience.
Tune in and learn invaluable lessons on tech leadership, entrepreneurial resilience, and adapting to rapid technological change!
For more information and ways to increase risk awareness and safety, visit us at www.censinet.com
About Eric Brown:
Eric Brown is a seasoned CISO, Managing Director, and Board Member with over 20 years of experience leading transformative technology and cybersecurity initiatives. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, he currently serves as an independent CISO & CIO at IT Audit Labs, where he advises organizations across multiple industries on securing their infrastructure, managing risk, and aligning IT strategy with business outcomes. Eric is known for blending strategic vision with deep technical expertise to solve complex challenges, drive growth, and lead global cross-functional teams. His leadership has delivered measurable results, such as building two new product lines that generated $ 1 M+ each within 18 months and successfully executing critical infrastructure overhauls in high-stakes healthcare environments. A former senior executive at Thomson Reuters, Eric has consistently earned trust from C-level stakeholders across sectors. He is also a frequent speaker and author in the information security space, respected for his clarity, rigor, and impact.
Things You’ll Learn:
- The rise of AI necessitates proactive learning, as individuals proficient in AI are more likely to shape the future job market than AI itself replacing jobs wholesale. Organizations must dedicate resources to understanding AI's rapid evolution and its implications for their data and operations.
- Entrepreneurship in the tech sector involves significant personal and financial risks, such as the stress of ensuring payroll and navigating unforeseen market shifts like the SVB collapse. Despite these challenges, the journey offers profound learning experiences and the reward of building something impactful.
- Aspiring cybersecurity professionals benefit greatly from first gaining foundational experience in diverse IT disciplines like networking, application development, or infrastructure management. This broad understanding of core IT principles creates more effective and adaptable security practitioners.
- Security departments should strive to be business enablers, actively working with organizations to achieve their goals safely, rather than being perceived solely as a restrictive function. This collaborative approach integrates security as a strategic partner in business success.
- A significant market need exists for firms that not only conduct IT audits but also provide hands-on assistance with strategy, remediation, and implementation of security improvements. This addresses a common pain point where organizations are left with audit findings but lack the resources to act on them effectively.