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Join Rodrigo, host of the Cyberverse Business Report podcast, in this episode as he talks to John McClure, the Chief Information Security Officer at Sinclair Broadcasting Group. In this insightful discussion, John shares his experiences working in various industries, including government, education, and broadcasting, and highlights the commonalities and differences he has observed in the cybersecurity landscape across these industries. He also talks about his role at Sinclair, the challenges and opportunities in managing cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, and the importance of balancing security and availability. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in cybersecurity, technology, and business
The CyberVerseAdvisors Business Report podcast recently featured an interview with John McClure, the Chief Information Security Officer at Sinclair Broadcasting Group. The discussion focused on the commonalities and differences between various industries when it comes to cybersecurity and technology. McClure shared his insights on the challenges and opportunities he encountered during his career journey, which included government contracting, higher education, and now, broadcasting and communications. He also discussed the unique cybersecurity risks faced by critical infrastructure companies like Sinclair and the importance of balancing security and availability.
McClure emphasized the common thread among all industries that they face complex problems and require smart people to solve them. However, he noted that there are some differences, such as offensive capabilities in the intelligence space, less focus on revenue in the government, and higher recruitment challenges in the public sector. He also shared his experience of working in the education sector, where the business of education was not exceptionally complex and delivering IT was not much different from other sectors.
However, McClure revealed that working in the broadcasting industry has been an entirely different experience for him. Broadcasting involves dealing with antennas, transmitters, and video systems interacting with scheduling systems. McClure highlighted the importance of availability in broadcasting, as they need to be always on the air. He further stated that the cybersecurity attack on Sinclair within the first 90 days of his tenure was a defining moment for him. The incident helped him interact with the organization faster and learn the business quickly. McClure stressed that cybersecurity and IT risks are not just technology risks, but they are business risks that should be the responsibility of the CEO.
McClure also touched upon the importance of cybersecurity hygiene, such as patching systems and using multi-factor authentication. He emphasized that these basic cybersecurity practices can go a long way in thwarting cyber threats. McClure discussed the significance of recruiting and retaining the right people in the cybersecurity field, which remains a challenge for all industries.
This interview with John McClure provides valuable insights into the cybersecurity challenges faced by different industries. It highlights the need for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity as a business risk and not just a technology risk. The interview emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity hygiene and the need to recruit and retain the right people to address cybersecurity challenges effectively. Overall, it’s an informative conversation for anyone interested in cybersecurity and technology.
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