Security isn’t sexy. It’s laundry. You know you need to do it, but you’d rather have a tool do it for you. Kenny Scott and Mike Schreiner from Paramify sit down with George Manuelian from RapidFort to talk about freeing the captives — the engineers buried in spreadsheets, patch tickets, and compliance chaos. They cover:   Why security always seems at odds with progress   How automation can fix what boredom created   The giant washing machine for open source   Starting clean, staying clean, and why “7 million vulnerabilities” isn’t a vibe   FedRAMP, CMMC, and the art of not losing your mind in compliance   It’s the least boring conversation you’ll ever hear about vulnerabilities.

FedRAMP as we know it is changing. In this episode, Mike and Kenny sit down with Mike “Waffle” Craig, founder and CEO of Vanaheim Security and longtime cloud and cybersecurity leader, to unpack what FedRAMP 20x means for agencies and vendors across FedCiv and DoD. We get into compliance philosophy, how to define your boundary the right way, why sponsorship strategies matter, and where scalability will make or break 20x. Mike Craig shares hard-won lessons from incident response, multi-cloud ATOs, and advising startups so they don’t burn six or seven figures chasing the wrong path. What we cover:   • Why FedRAMP 20x signals the future of federal compliance   • Sponsorship realities, Ready pitfalls, and how small vendors survive   • Boundary, data flows, and “if you can’t draw it, you can’t secure it”   • Zero trust in practice and multi-zone risk profiles across stacks   • AI and LLM/RAG inside a FedRAMP world and change approval at scale   • JAB is gone, human variance is not, and how to navigate the psychology of yes   • CSFC as a model for defined stacks and what that could mean for AI patterns   • Practical diagramming tips and the surprising power of PowerPoint   • The “Waffle” origin story and a DoD “Beta Blocks” style experiment Guest:Learn more about Mike Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcraig26/Learn more about Vanaheim Security: www.vanaheimsecurity.com Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/?utm_source=MikeCraig&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Mikecraig&utm_id=Podcast&utm_term=podcast&utm_content=Mikecraig Exploring FedRAMP 20x, GovRAMP, FISMA, or CMMC and want a faster path to audit-ready deliverables and ConMon at scale? Talk to Paramify. We help teams get compliant and stay compliant 90% faster at a quarter of the cost. Timestamps / Chapters0:00 — “FedRAMP as we know it” and the 20x future1:42 — Welcome back to The Paramify Podcast (Mike & Kenny)3:01 — Meet Mike “Waffle” Craig (Vanaheim Security)4:04 — Hero’s journey: Air Force → cyber → IR → compliance5:04 — “Cyber warfare” era and being the translator across teams6:02 — Global regs, midnight IR, and burnout7:04 — From IR to compliance architecture & multi-cloud ATOs8:05 — Protecting small vendors from six–seven figure mistakes9:11 — When compliance runway kills a program (DoD case)11:03 — Waffle’s 0% abandonment rate and why it matters11:14 — DoD “defense combine” experiment (Beta Blocks vibe)13:41 — Operators, COs, entrepreneurs: fixing feedback loops16:26 — Federal sponsorship 101 (pre-20x) and targeting wisely18:16 — Two bad options for first-timers: sponsor vs. Ready gamble21:02 — FedRAMP Ready pitfalls and the 12-month clock22:08 — Cost realities (150k+ assessments) for small teams22:44 — Why 20x changes the game (starting low, scaling up)27:04 — Compliance philosophy: scope, boundaries, and frameworks30:00 — “If you can’t draw it, you can’t secure it” (data flows)31:04 — Hot take: PowerPoint is the best diagramming tool33:39 — Prototype confession: Excel/Sheets and millennial ops37:39 — 20x at scale: staffing, humans-in-the-loop, and risk39:07 — Post-JAB reality: more variance, harder prediction40:05 — LLM/RAG in FedRAMP: data sources & significant change42:05 — Boundaries got harder—how to think about them43:08 — Paramify’s CIA risk profile approach across stacks47:01 — Corporate, dev, infosec, tech-ops: multi-zone modeling49:05 — Knowing your data (AI makes the gap bigger, faster)50:06 — Control weighting & psychology of “yes”50:47 — NSA CSFC as a model for defined stacks52:02 — Could FedRAMP define AI patterns? (playbook potential)54:46 — Where to find Mike / Vanaheim Security55:31 — Name jokes and close

“Once you’re in Hotel FedRAMP, you can’t leave.” Jason Oksenhendler, Cybersecurity Director of FedRAMP®/GovRAMP at Baker Tilly x Moss Adams, sits down with Kenny and Isaac to talk about FedRAMP’s past, how 20x is shaping the future, and why nobody ever really checks out of Hotel FedRAMP. 👉  Key Takeaways: • FedRAMP 20x was a “hand grenade” for everyone’s roadmap, and it’s already transforming compliance speed and evidence collection.  • Risk-first programs survive change — smart architecture and design decisions matter more than chasing checklists.  • Flexibility vs. rigor — 20X offers new freedom, but assessors must still enforce strong security.  • Collaboration wins — assessors and CSPs working together can turn impossible timelines into success. Learn more about Jason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-oksenhendler/ Learn more about Baker Tilly x Moss Adams: https://www.bakertilly.com/ https://www.mossadams.com/ Learn more about Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn more about Isaac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacteuscher/  Learn more about Paramify:  https://www.paramify.com/   Timestamps: 00:00 – Moss Adams x Paramify team-upJason recounts how a shared client pushed both teams into the deep end of 20X, asking to include the auditors before Paramify even had an assessment portal built. 01:00 – Less than two-week deadlineThe group describes the chaos of spinning up a 20X package in record time, with Rob (the auditor) agreeing to figure things out alongside them. 01:44 – Submitting against moving targetsJust as the package was ready to go, the final low 20X KSIs dropped — forcing last-minute changes and stress. 02:24 – Nature of FedRAMP changeJason compares FedRAMP shifts to “big boulders” coming at you, not “mousy” tweaks — change is always disruptive and massive. 02:56 – Success despite chaosTeams (Paramify, Flock, Baker Tilly) pulled it together, got the package in on time, and landed among the first four 20X submissions posted publicly. 03:07 – The reality checkJason: not everything in FedRAMP is “dillydallying” — clients, deadlines, and bills make delivery non-negotiable. 03:13 – Official podcast kickoffKenny introduces the episode: Jason Oksenhendler (Baker Tilly, formerly Moss Adams), and Paramify’s “rising star” Isaac Teuscher. 04:01 – Jason’s career origin storyFrom news anchor ➝ IT tech writer ➝ into FedRAMP (starting around NIST 800-53 Rev 2). 05:40 – First FedRAMP assignmentJason recalls his boss handing him a paper: “Go do FedRAMP.” He walks through early JAB/ISSO processes, feedback loops, and working with Matt Goodrich and Ashley Mahan. 11:43 – Co-creating the FedRAMP High BaselineJason describes working with DoD’s Ron Rice to build the High Baseline from scratch. 13:00 – Early FedRAMP painMicrosoft Word & Excel “hell,” endless regurgitated control statements, and why some CSPs made assessors want to “bang their heads on the desk.” 15:32 – “You could do a Seinfeld routine on this crap.”Jason on version control disasters and 600-page SSP reviews without track changes. 17:30 – Culture shock of changeReactions to FedRAMP 20X mirror the same resistance to earlier shifts — but it’s always been “do once, use many.” 20:00 – Continuous monitoring realityJason emphasizes executive buy-in as essential, recalling how ConMon and POA&Ms separate prepared orgs from overwhelmed ones. 22:50 – FedRAMP rigor vs. other frameworksJason argues FedRAMP is among the toughest frameworks, on par with DoD IL4-6. 25:00 – 20X blows up the roadmapKenny calls 20X a “hand grenade” for Paramify’s product plans. 29:00 – Cross-team collaborationJason highlights how six strangers in a Slack channel worked seamlessly under pressure — “like a chocolate fountain.” 34:00 – 20X flexibility vs. rigorJason explains the challenge of balancing new freedoms with maintaining strong security. 38:00 – Scaling 20X & future baselinesSpeculation about moderate and high 20X baselines and how CSPs will adapt. 46:00 –

In this episode of the Paramify Podcast, Karen Laughton, EVP of Advisory at Coalfire, joins Kenny Scott (CEO of Paramify) and Mike Schreiner to unpack the future of government cybersecurity and compliance modernization. From the hard realities of FedRAMP 20X to lessons learned from the early days of FSMA and CMMC confusion, this conversation pulls no punches. Karen shares how she broke into cybersecurity via HR (and a saltine-fueled CISSP exam), why automation without strategy won’t scale, and what it's going to take to make 20X work at moderate and high baselines. If you're curious where compliance, automation, AI, and public sector modernization are headed—you’ll want to tune in. ⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – "Dang, we need to modernize our government" — Karen's IRS nightmare becomes a metaphor for digital transformation. 02:44 – Meet Karen Laughton: Coalfire EVP, community leader, and accidental cyber exec. 03:35 – Saltines, pregnancy, and passing the CISSP: Karen’s origin story in cyber. 08:01 – AC-7 and the mouse jiggler: when coarse-grained controls meet real-world demos. 10:03 – FedRAMP in the early days: the “marathon in flip-flops” era of inconsistent TR feedback. 13:01 – The worst documentation nitpicks Karen’s ever seen (IP addresses and diagram chaos). 14:46 – FedRAMP then vs. now: why decentralization could hurt even as risk-focus improves. 17:28 – What scaling 20X to moderate and high will actually require. 20:03 – Are we solving the right problem with KSIs? Recapping Coalfire's “automation of arrested development” blog. 23:08 – Why automation isn’t a silver bullet (and why it still needs humans). 24:57 – 3PAOs aren't going anywhere — and that’s not just job security talk. 26:15 – Andrej Karpathy, robot soccer, and the early innings of AI assurance. 29:30 – Why agencies aren’t lining up to sponsor FedRAMP 20X. 31:08 – How Coalfire responded to 20X: culture, planning, and Compliance Essentials. 33:41 – Leveraging Paramify to accelerate automation where it makes sense. 36:42 – Politics, acquisitions, and why automation hits limits in complex orgs. 37:27 – DoD, CMMC, and 20X: where things stand and why there’s still confusion. 41:01 – The case for CMMC enclaves (and why most orgs want to isolate the mess). 42:00 – Mentorship, career pivots, and embracing “knowing nothing” as a superpower. 47:58 – Why questions make you smarter — and why cybersecurity people love answering them. 50:00 – Why cybersecurity never gets boring (and feels like a family reunion at every conference). 50:59 – Wrap-up & future part two tease. Learn more about Coalfire: https://coalfire.com/Learn more about Karen Laughton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-laughton-6484115/ Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/Learn more about Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/Learn more about Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/

It’s not only about faster authorizations—it’s about unlocking the full potential of modern cloud for government. FedRAMP 20X is how we get there. In this exclusive roundtable, Pete Waterman (FedRAMP Director), Karen Laughton (EVP of Advisory, CoalFire), Rob Otten (Sr. Director, Risk & Compliance, Flock Safety), Kenny Scott (Founder & CEO, Paramify), and Mike Schreiner (COO, Paramify) break down: - The mission, process & real impact of the 20X pilot - How Key Security Indicators (KSIs) make compliance faster & smarter - What Continuous ATO looks like in practice - Why agencies are holding the line—and what they actually want - The bold vision to transform FedRAMP from 50 authorizations a year… to 50 a week Timestamps:0:00 – The Big QuestionPete Waterman shares the spark: “What if we did 50 FedRAMP authorizations a week?” 1:56 – Welcome & IntroductionsMeet the panel: Pete Waterman, Karen Laughton, Rob Upton, Kenny Scott. 2:53 – Pilot Progress UpdatePete dives into pilot metrics, early submissions, and success stories. 5:17 – Industry Perspective: CoalFireKaren Laughton shares lessons learned from advising CSPs and 3PAOs. 8:40 – CSP Perspective: Flock Safety + ParamifyRob & Kenny reveal how they rapidly pivoted into the pilot and delivered results in 2 weeks. 12:03 – Why It WorkedWhy KSIs resonated and how automation made it achievable. 14:22 – The Risk-Based ShiftSecurity is about risk, not checklists. Kenny, Rob, and Pete riff on the deeper mindset change. 17:06 – ATO vs AuthorizationPete clarifies the difference and why 20X is fixing the current barriers. 19:02 – The Good, The Bad, and the FastKaren details what’s working well—and what’s still a mess (agency sponsorship, complex systems, DoD holdouts). 24:04 – Rob's Advice to CSPsRob advocates a risk-first approach and common sense improvements. 25:48 – Breaking Outdated RulesKenny rants about FIPS encryption requirements and why 20X could fix it. 27:07 – Agency Buy-In: Will They Accept 20X?Pete confirms: Yes. OMB and formal policy will mandate adoption. 36:40 – Continuous ATO in PracticeWhat’s working, what’s confusing, and what the FedRAMP team is learning. 42:00 – The Integration TrapKenny explains why black-box integrations don’t cut it—and what CSPs must do instead. 44:55 – End User Risk ResponsibilitiesA critical callout: security breaches are often misconfigurations by users—not tech failures. 47:00 – Monitoring What Actually MattersForget CVEs. Pete & Karen emphasize real-time config validation (e.g., MFA being disabled). 50:00 – Change Processes & CI/CDHow continuous snapshots and CICD can coexist with security—without slowing innovation. 56:00 – Driving Innovation Through StandardsWhy 20X exists: to force the ecosystem to build what’s long been talked about but never delivered. 1:00:00 – Final Advice to CSPsShould you jump into 20X? Panelists give concrete guidance for startups, hyperscalers, and advisors. 1:06:04 – Reframing the GoalPete closes with a powerful vision: delivering equal access to secure cloud tech for federal workers—faster, better, and at scale. Learn more about our guests:  Pete Waterman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petewaterman/FedRAMP: https://www.fedramp.gov/ Karen Laughton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-laughton-6484115/Coalfire: https://coalfire.com/ Rob Otten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertotten/ Flock Safety: https://www.flocksafety.com/ Learn more about Paramify: Kenny Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/Mike Schreiner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/Paramify: www.paramify.com Looking into FedRAMP or FedRAMP 20X? Lets' talk:  https://www.paramify.com/frameworks/fedramp

Today, we’re sitting down with StackArmor’s Martin Rieger — a FedRAMP veteran with over 300 engagements under his belt — for an unfiltered deep dive into the origin, evolution, and future of FedRAMP compliance. We cover everything from the early days of DIACAP and gold images to today’s world of automation, OSCAL, and AI-powered documentation. Martin shares war stories, explains why so many companies fail audits even with AI, and gives his take on where FedRAMP 20x is headed. Key takeaways- AI can't replace expertise: Using ChatGPT (or any AI) to generate FedRAMP documentation without human validation leads to failure—AI is a tool, not a replacement for expertise. - Right tools + right people = success: AI and automation can massively accelerate compliance work if handled by professionals who understand the frameworks deeply. - FedRAMP’s evolution: FedRAMP has matured from infrastructure-heavy beginnings to a focus on SaaS and cloud-native tools, with an increasing push toward automation and standards like OSCAL. - Common ATO pitfalls: Many companies underestimate the effort required for continuous monitoring (ConMon) and maintaining their ATO, mistakenly thinking the hardest part is getting authorized. - Martin: FedRAMP may move toward sponsor-less paths (like StateRAMP) for Low/Moderate baselines, and AI + OSCAL will likely reshape how security packages are created, validated, and shared. This episode is loaded with insights for anyone serious about federal cloud compliance. ⏱️ Timestamps:04:10 – Martin’s early FedRAMP journey & Navy background10:00 – DIACAP, early tools, and Excel-era compliance16:35 – How Kenny and Martin met (NIST OSCAL event story)25:00 – StackArmor’s shift from golden images to modern cloud35:00 – The problem with AI-generated SSPs43:30 – POAMs, audit problems, and compliance documentation49:45 – FISMA vs. FedRAMP, ‘FISRamp’, and ATO inefficiencies56:40 – Predictions: FedRAMP 20x, agency sponsorship & PMO1:02:20 – The future of FedRAMP automation & OSCAL + AI 🔗 Learn more about StackArmor: https://stackarmor.com/👤Learn more about Martin Rieger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinrieger/ 🔗 Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/?utm_medium=social👤 Connect with Kenny: Kenny G. Scott: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/👤 Connect with Mike: Mike Schreiner:  / https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/

Today we're sitting down with the Father of FedRAMP himself — Dave Fairburn Jr. — for a raw, detailed, and at times hilarious deep dive into the origin story, evolution, and future of the FedRAMP program. From 16-hour days and bureaucracy battles to 2,500-page documentation drafts reduced by weight tests (yes, really), Dave walks us through how the entire FedRAMP framework was created, challenged, and still, nearly 15 years later, hasn’t been "screwed up" (his words). This episode is packed with insider stories, lessons learned, and real talk about: Why the original FedRAMP design was JAB-only (no agency ATOs) How 3PAOs came to be — and the concern about quality today Why the “paperwork exercise” argument drives Dave crazy What Dave thinks about FedRAMP 20x, AI, OSCAL, automation, and PMO changes Predictions about what will (and won’t) change in the next 10 years Learn more about Dave Fairburn Jr.:   / %e2%98%81%ef%b8%8f-dave-fairburn-jr-cissp-...   🔗 Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/?utm_medium=... 👤 Connect with Kenny: Kenny G. Scott:   / kenny-g-scott   👤 Connect with Mike: Mike Schreiner:   / mikecschreiner  

What do DC sneakers, HR-approved marriage advice, and compliance robots have in common? They’re all part of this episode as Kenny and Mike dive into the bold future of FedRAMP 20X — and why it’s finally time to fix the pain points for both private companies and government agencies. Here’s what they cover: - The (not) shift in risk ownership — why agencies have always owned the risk and the PMO will focus on standards - The myth of "set-it-and-forget-it" security — and the need for continuous monitoring - The problem with screenshot audits — and smarter ways to prove assurance - The role of auditors vs. automation — balancing trust and verification - Why developers don’t love security — and how to make it less painful - The future for faster authorizations, and why you shouldn't wait for the FedRAMP changes to happen to get FedRAMP Authorized. If you’ve ever yelled at your SSP or cried over a screenshot audit, this one’s for you. Sign up for the FedRAMP working groups here:https://www.fedramp.gov/20x/working-groups/ Learn more about Paramify here: https://www.paramify.com/ Learn more about Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn about Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/

Today, we're pretending it's August 24, 2024, as Kenny and Mike sit down with Pete Waterman to talk about his backstory and what inspired him to apply to become the new FedRAMP Director.  Spoiler alert: we discuss frustration, bureaucracy, and a wild career move. Also these things: - Pete's Origin Story – Every hero has one.- Government Tech: Why Is It So Hard? – Bureaucracy, risk, and the myth of FISMA jail.- The Future of FedRAMP – Can it get faster? - Motorcycles & Risk Management – How intercontinental motorcycle camping trips bring perspective.- Compliance Theater - "Can I get a screenshot of that?" This episode is equal parts insightful, hilarious, and maybe a little chaotic—just the way we like it. Learn more about Pete Waterman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petewaterman/ Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/ Learn more about Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn more about Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/

Today Kenny and Mike are talking to the one and only Jason Ford, CEO & Founder of Steel Patriot Partners—a true FedRAMP guru who's been securing systems since digital transformation was still a baby. Jason shares his battle-tested strategies for navigating security audits, implementing encryption the right way, and avoiding common pitfalls that can delay your compliance efforts for months.   Here's what we're tackling in this episode: - "If You Can't Draw It, You Can't Secure It" – Why mapping your architecture is step one in cybersecurity. - FedRAMP High vs. Moderate – Why enterprises (not just government) are demanding higher security standards. - Encryption 101 – What's really required, and why some ciphers belong in the dumpster. - Privileged Access Done Right – No more random one-off permissions for Jeff! Use roles, not regrets. - The Future of Security Compliance – Automation, AI, and why FedRAMP is about to change everything.   If you're serious about building a security-first organization, tackling FedRAMP without losing your mind, or just figuring out how to keep your systems locked down like a fortress, this episode is for you.   Learn more about Paramify here: https://www.paramify.com/ Learn more about Steel Patriot Partners here: https://www.steelpatriotpartners.com/  

Getting started with risk management is easier than you think- and you don’t need fancy tools to do it.   In this episode, Kenny and Mike break down how a simple Google Sheet can be your secret weapon for designing a great security program. Whether you’re navigating FedRAMP, SOC 2, or ISO 27001, the key is just getting started—no expensive software required.   If you're a startup founder, security pro, or just compliance-curious, this episode is packed with easy, actionable steps to help you kick off your compliance journey—without breaking the bank.   Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/ Learn more about Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn more about Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecschreiner/

Eric, the CISO at Federal Cyber Defense Solutions and former Chief FedRAMP Strategist at IBM and FedRAMP Leader at HP, shares his journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a CISO and FedRAMP expert. We dive into the challenges of FedRAMP compliance, the evolution of cybersecurity, and how today's security teams can strike the balance between technical expertise and meeting compliance demands. In this episode, we cover:- The real struggles of legacy tech and security controls- How cybersecurity careers have evolved—then vs. now- The shift toward security by design and the future of security operations- Advice for new cybersecurity professionals on breaking into the industry If you're interested in FedRAMP in 2025, compliance innovation, or cybersecurity career growth, this episode is a must-listen! Learn more about Eric here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eadams2/ Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/ Learn more about Kenny:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/  

Whether you’re launching a brand-new security program or fine-tuning your existing one, this episode has everything you need to know. Kenny and Mike are breaking down the 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 – why they matter and how they can transform your security processes. Here’s what’s on deck in this episode of The Paramify Podcast:- How to plan your security framework so it’s rock-solid from the start.- Common pitfalls in frameworks like FedRAMP (and how to avoid them, no trench runs required).- The importance of boundaries, collaboration, and a digital-first approach.- Real-world lessons (and Star Wars stories) for simplifying security challenges. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 and learn how planning, assessing, and reporting can level up your risk management game.

We’ve heard you. We all want to know just how much it cost The Empire when the first Death Star was blown to oblivion by a young boy from Tatooine? How could the Empire let this happen? Kenny Scott and Mike Schreiner dive deep into risk management and cybersecurity—all through the lens of Star Wars. Kenny uses Star Wars analogies to break down key concepts like:• 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀  (Death Stars)• 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀  (Thermal Exhaust Ports)• 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 (X-wings)• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 (Force fields, turrets, the Dark Side and Darth Vader)• 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀:     • 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 all by yourself     • 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 risk like pizza     • 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 it to some do-gooder     • 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 the risk (aka, just flat out ignore it)     • 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 the risk it cuz you’re just too scared. Whether you're looking to build a risk management program OR just geek out over Star Wars references, this episode has something for you.

Today we’re talking to Tony Bai. He’s got 25 years of experience in cyber defense and operations, Tony Bai serves as the Chief Solutions Officer at RISCPoint. A United States Air Force veteran and lots of leadership experience at leading consulting organizations. Tony specializes in FedRAMP, CMMC and other NIST frameworks and is a leading voice on their latest developments that seem to be pretty intense these days. This is a great episode!   Learn more about Tony Bai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamtbai/   Learn more about RISCPoint: RISCPoint is an industry-leading management consulting firm, specializing in cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management, providing both strategy and tactical implementation. Our founding vision is a seamless integration with your team, focusing on creating impactful solutions to help you achieve your objectives. https://www.riscpoint.com/ https://www.riscpoint.com/services/public-sector https://www.riscpoint.com/contact   Learn more about Kenny Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/   Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/

We're talking with Mandy Andress, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Elastic. Mandy is making a huge impact in the security industry as the author of Surviving Security: How to Integrate People, Process, and Technology, a Top 100 CISO (C100) Award recipient, and a LinkedIn Top Voice. Her leadership goes well beyond her role as CISO – she's also a trusted advisor to many organizations, a frequent speaker at global conferences like BlackHat and Networld + Interop, and a driving force behind Elastic's IPO success. Learn more about Mandy Andress:Mandy's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyandress/ Learn more about Elastic:Elastic's Website: https://www.elastic.co/ Learn more about Kenny Scott:Kenny's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn more about Paramify:Paramify's website: https://www.paramify.com/

Today, we’re honored to have Michael Carter on the show! Michael is the Managing Partner and Co-founder of Fortreum. Michael brings over two decades of expertise in cybersecurity and compliance, specializing in FedRAMP, FISMA, PCI, and more. He has held key leadership roles at Coalfire and Veris Group, shaping compliance strategies for top organizations across both government and commercial sectors. Michael’s deep insights into security and risk management make him a leading voice in the industry. Learn more about Michael Carter: / carte2ms Learn more about Fortreum: https://fortreum.com/ Learn more about Kenny Scott: / kenny-g-scott Learn more about Paramify: https://www.paramify.com/

Today, we're honored to have Alexander Stein on the show. Alexander has a host of experience in Cybersecurity. He has worked as an IT Cybersecurity Specialist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). With over two years at NIST focusing on Information Technology and Vulnerability Management, Alex has also held key roles at Flexion Inc. as a Security Practice Lead and Application Security Engineer, and at BAM Technologies Learn more about Alexander Stein here: LinkedIn:   / alexanderjstein   GitHub: github.com/aj-stein. Learn more about NIST: https://www.nist.gov/   Learn more about Kenny Scott: LinkedIn:   / kenny-g-scott   Learn more about Paramify: Website: https://www.paramify.com/ LinkedIn:   / dashboard  

Today, we're honored to have Michael Clauser, on the show. Mike is the Founder & Managing Director of Ark where he helps tech and defense companies navigate government relations. He is a seasoned professional in government affairs, cybersecurity, and national security. Michael has led pivotal roles at Okta, Access Partnership, Analog Devices, and Fujitsu Limited, and served as a national security aide in the Pentagon. With a decade as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy, he has also held leadership roles supporting veterans and contributing to public policy.  Learn more about Michael Clauser: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaclauser/ Learn more about Ark: https://ark.ga/ Learn more about Kenny Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-g-scott/ Learn more about Paramify: Website: https://www.paramify.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80788473/admin/dashboard/

Today we're honored to have Matt Hillary on the podcast. Matt is the Vice President of Security and Chief Information Security Officer at Drata. He is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with 15 years of experience and a passion for enabling innovation.  Learn more about Matt Hillary:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhillary/Matt Hillary's Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2024/06/20/privacy-by-design-and-its-impact-on-security-and-grc/ Learn More about Drata:Drata's Website: https://drata.com/Drata's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drata/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about Paramify: Paramify's Website: https://www.paramify.com/Paramify's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80788473/admin/dashboard/ Matt Hillary brings over 15 years of experience in executive security leadership, risk management, and compliance. His impressive track record includes roles at Lumio, Weave HQ, Workfront, and Instructure. Matt holds a Master’s in Information Systems Management from Brigham Young University and is a CISA-certified professional. Known for his strong technical background, positive leadership style, and effective communication, Matt is dedicated to building tailored security solutions that drive measurable success.