Guardians of the Data

What if your DLP tool is slowing your business down instead of protecting it?

In this episode, Andrew Wilder shares why traditional data loss prevention (DLP) programs have struggled to deliver real value, and what needs to change in an AI-driven world. Drawing from decades of experience leading security programs at global organizations, he breaks down the core challenge most teams still face: relying on humans to class...

How do you protect sensitive data without becoming the bottleneck in a business that’s moving faster than ever?

Today, Ketan Gotmare shares how nearly two decades in cybersecurity have shaped his perspective on modern data protection and why today’s biggest challenge isn’t a lack of tools, but a fundamental imbalance between speed and control.

He introduces the concept of the “velocity versus control paradox,” where ...

How can the super technical cybersecurity leaders communicate risk and protection to other business leaders?

Today, we unpack a huge topic: how to “speak business” when you’re a technology leader. We take a look back at recent episodes to hear from real cybersecurity experts on how they convey risk and security concerns to people who don't have the technical expertise.

This episode brings together insights from indus...

What is the first step in building an effective data security and data governance strategy?

In this re-aired episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Hans Vargas, Enterprise Data Protection Lead at Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

Hans shares timeless insights on one of the most persistent challenges in data security: understanding what data actually matters and how to protect it effectively. From the importan...

Are organizations focusing on the wrong things when it comes to data security?

In this episode of Guardians of the Data, Anand Pallapalayam, an enterprise data protection leader with nearly 30 years of experience, explains why the biggest data security challenge isn’t technology, it’s people. Anand breaks down the classic “three Ps” of security: people, process, and products. He argues that education and awareness shoul...

Are your AI models amplifying bias and exposing your organization to data scraping risks without you realizing it?

Today, Ward sits down with Areejit Banerjee, Senior Manager of Data Protection and Product Strategy and published author, to unpack one of the biggest challenges in modern cybersecurity: protecting data in the age of artificial intelligence. With over 20 years of experience across banking, data analytics, A...

Why do so many security leaders struggle to build lasting, effective programs, even as technology keeps getting better?

In this episode, Ward sits down with retail CISO Mark Alvarado to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in cybersecurity leadership: technical expertise alone isn’t enough anymore. With over 20 years of experience across digital risk, IT infrastructure, and data privacy, Mark shares why today’s most...

How do you secure AI when you don’t have data inventory, classification, identity controls, and governance frameworks? You can’t.

In this episode of Guardians of the Data, Ward sits down with Jason Elrod, Founder of Limitless Cyber and CISO of a multi-billion-dollar healthcare system, to unpack the real risks and realities of AI in today’s enterprise.

Jason makes it clear: AI may be the biggest emerging data threat, but ...

What happens when your AI system has more access to your data than your employees (and you don’t even know it)?

Sanjeev Kumar, Senior Global AI & Data Protection Lead at Amazon Web Services, joins Ward on the podcast today for a deep dive into the real risks organizations face as AI moves from experimentation to production.

With more than 20 years of cybersecurity experience and a career that spans the rise of cl...

Is leadership the real reason data security keeps breaking down?

In this episode of Guardians of the Data, host Ward Balcerzak sits down with Joshua Copeland, Director of Cybersecurity at Crescendo. With more than 25 years of experience across IT, cybersecurity, and government, Joshua brings a refreshingly honest perspective: most security failures don’t come from bad tools; they come from misaligned leadership, misunde...

Are we solving the cybersecurity talent problem the wrong way?

The cybersecurity industry has no shortage of open roles, yet thousands of capable candidates still can’t land their first job. In this episode of Guardians of the Data, Ward Balcerzak sits down with Marlene DeHart, cybersecurity executive, advisor, and Air Force Reserve veteran, to explore why the problem isn’t a lack of interest or intelligence; it’s how t...

What happens when the systems that move people and power our world aren’t secure?

In this episode of Guardians of the Data, host Ward Balcerzak sits down with Arturo Santos, Director of Cybersecurity Architecture at Amtrak, to explore the growing risks facing operational technology (OT), the realities of protecting critical infrastructure, and why data governance, AI, and industry collaboration are no longer optional.

Wi...

Is your data security strategy still focused on where your data lives, or have you evolved to protect it where it flows?

Ward sits down with Frank DePaola, Vice President and CISO at EnPro and recipient of the 2025 Top Global CISO award. With over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, Frank shares a masterclass on navigating the complexities of modern data security, from the "data sprawl" of the AI era to the unique ...

What happens when security leaders stop talking tech and start speaking the language of the business?

In this episode, author and VP of IT for Mission Healthcare, Antonio Taylor, reveals why modern security success has less to do with tools and everything to do with building trust, curiosity, and true business partnerships. Antonio brings 25+ years of experience in enterprise IT leadership, data security, and organizati...

How do you secure data when access isn’t binary?

In this episode, host Ward Balcerzak sits down with Jennifer Fite, Principal Consultant on the Data Risk Management team at Trace3, to unpack the real-world challenges organizations face when trying to protect sensitive data in today’s cloud-first, integration-heavy environments.

Jen shares why supply chain breaches have become one of the fastest-growing data security ...

Why is visibility the first step in any effective data security strategy?

In this re-air episode, we’re revisiting Ward’s conversation with Lance Fischer, Principal Security Architect at Guidepoint Security, but its insights are more relevant than ever as organizations grapple with data sprawl, AI adoption, and rising regulatory pressure.

With nearly three decades in security, Lance breaks down one of the most misund...

What are the biggest challenges data leaders are facing?

Today, we run back some of the best conversations of the year. Ward brings together insights from data security, privacy, and governance leaders across industries to answer one foundational question: What is the biggest challenge organizations are facing when it comes to data security?

From data classification to data sprawl, to even knowing what data you have,...

What’s the real business impact of bad data governance in modern security programs?

Rick Doten, former Healthplan CISO at Centene Corporation and AI researcher with over 25 years of cybersecurity experience, joins the show to discuss the biggest challenges in data security. Rick emphasizes the critical importance of data governance and quality, explaining how understanding a business's needs and the value of its data ar...

How do you get true leadership buy-in for your data security program and turn risk assessments into real action?

In this episode, AVP of InfoSec and data security leader Kenny Vu breaks down why leadership support is the biggest determining factor in whether a program thrives or fails. With over a decade of experience across engineering, consulting, and hands-on data protection work, Kenny shares a clear, practical framewor...