SANS Cyber Leaders Podcast Season 3: Inside the Decisions Shaping Modern Cyber Defense

The SANS Cyber Leaders Podcast is back for its third season, where some of the brightest and most battle-tested minds in security share how leadership really works when the pressure is on. Hosted by James Lyne, SANS Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, and Ciaran Martin, Director of the SANS CISO Network and founding CEO of the UK National Cyber Security Centre, the series remains a must-listen for CISOs, cybersecurity leaders, and practitioners.

Over the past two seasons, the podcast has chronicled how to navigate change across a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Season 3 ups the ante even more. This time, James and Ciaran dive into what it really means to lead in a world of machine-speed attacks, AI-assisted defense, and a new generation of talent reshaping the field. Each episode builds on the show’s ethos: clear, unfiltered conversations with people who have done the job and are still doing it today. Here’s a look at the first round of episodes that set the tone for Season 3.

Episode 20: How Modern Threats are Redefining the Rules of Cyber Defense with Paul Chichester

With more than three decades defending the U.K. against digital threats, Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at the UK National Cyber Security Centre, offers an unparalleled view of how the cyber landscape has evolved. In this wide-ranging discussion, Chichester traces the progression from the early days of Moonlight Maze to the modern realities of ransomware and hybrid warfare. He discusses how public-private collaboration has matured, why ransomware now rivals state activity in impact, and why realistic optimism remains a crucial leadership trait. His closing message to leaders: prepare and practice before the crisis, because continuity and recovery are as critical as response.

Listen to the full episode here.

Episode 21: Quantum's Leap: How Cyber Leaders are Preparing for the Post-Encryption Marin Ivezic and Kawin Boonyapredee

The cyber threats of quantum computing have long hovered on the horizon – until now. In this episode, James and Ciaran are joined by Marin Ivezic and Kawin Boonyapredee of Applied Quantum to separate hype from impact and clarify what quantum readiness truly means for security leaders. Together, they explore post-quantum cryptography, the growing influence of regulation, and the emerging concept of crypto agility as a board-level concern. The conversation bridges deep technical insight with strategic foresight, offering CISOs a clear perspective on how to prepare their organizations for a post-quantum world.

Listen to the full episode here.

Episode 22: Inside Forensics: Hunting for Truth in the Dark with Heather Barnhart

Cyber defense is often defined by technology, but digital forensics reminds us that people remain at its core. Heather Barnhart, Head of Faculty at SANS, shares more than two decades of experience investigating cases that span counterterrorism, criminal justice, and national security. She reflects on the emotional and ethical dimensions of forensics work -- how data can speak for victims, how teams sustain objectivity under pressure, and why diversity of perspective strengthens investigative rigor. Her message for cyber leaders: while tools evolve rapidly, empathy, clarity, and precision remain the enduring foundations of trust and truth in incident response.

Listen to the full episode here.

Stay Ahead of the Conversation

Season 3 continues to build on the podcast’s mission of elevating dialogue around modern cyber leadership. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes that will explore emerging challenges in AI governance, cross-sector collaboration, and the human dimensions of strategic decision-making in high-stakes environments. If you’re a CISO, security director, executive or practitioner navigating the pressures of modern cyber risk, the SANS Cyber Leaders Podcast belongs in your rotation.

• Check out the Season 3 lineup and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube here
• Join the SANS CISO Network here

Cyber leadership is evolving fast, and this podcast will help you stay ahead. Share it with your network and use it to spark conversations. For more podcast recommendations, read our cybersecurity podcast roundup.