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Why Cyber Startups Need CISO Advisors

May 14, 2026 · 27 min

Show notes

All links and images can be found on CISO Series

All security startups will tell you they talk to potential customers. The problem is that you limit your development when you only talk to CISOs who might buy. It's not the same guidance you'll get from a CISO who advises.

Check out this post by Val Tsanev of the Cyber Risk Alliance for the discussion that is the basis of our conversation.

This week's episode is co-hosted by me, David Spark, the producer of CISO Series, and Edward Contreras, senior evp and CISO, Frost Bank. Joining us is Steve Jensen, CISO, University of Maine System.

In this episode:

  • Building for whom?
  • The only feedback loop that matters
  • Valid, but for whom?
  • Rethink the advisor roster

A huge thanks to our sponsor, Material Security

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