Why Cybersecurity is as much Art as Science

September 26, 2025

In this kickoff episode of The Art of Cybersecurity, host Cheri Hotman shares why this podcast exists and what listeners can expect. Cyber isn’t just science or technology — it’s art. It’s messy, constrained, people-driven, and ultimately about mitigating risk to protect people and data.

Cheri cuts through the noise of “easy button” tools, audit-passing mentalities, and checkbox compliance to talk about what security really is: designing programs that work, tackling people and process challenges, and aligning solutions to business goals.

Bridging the Gap: Why Cybersecurity Tools Alone Aren’t Enough

Events

Investing in the latest cybersecurity tools doesn’t automatically mean you’re secure. Many leaders feel the initial promise of a new solution—only to realize it’s not delivering the protection they expected. So, what’s missing? In this session, we’ll break down where the responsibility of the tool ends and where your team’s role begins. We’ll uncover why […]

Why Maturity Matters: Overcoming GRC Cognitive Overload with the Maturity Model

Events, GRC, Top Posts

Please join Kayne McGladrey, author of the GRC Maturity Model and Cheri Hotman as they explore the GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Maturity Model, a powerful tool for organizations to assess and enhance their cybersecurity practices. Achieving maturity in GRC is crucial for navigating complex regulatory landscapes and boosting overall effectiveness. Through self-assessments, organizations can […]

Security Awareness Training – Ransomware

Security Awareness

One Click Is All It Takes A single click on a phishing link. A password change request that didn’t feel quite right. A forgotten remote desktop login. That’s all it takes for ransomware to slip in and start locking down systems—and businesses. Why Ransomware Is Still a Threat Despite increased awareness, ransomware […]

Security Awareness Training – Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report

Security Awareness

In this 15-minute training, the HG team breaks down the most critical findings from Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR)—and what they mean for real-world security programs. We cover the sharp rise in third-party breaches, the growing threat of GenAI misuse, and the continued dominance of ransomware and credential-based attacks. You’ll walk away with […]

Building Customer Trust in the Digital Age: Evolution, Importance, and Observations from the Field

GRC

In today’s digital age, customer trust is more crucial than ever. Join us as we explore the evolution of customer trust, highlighting its importance in building strong customer relationships. We’ll delve into how trust became so important and some of the pivotal moments that shaped its current state. Looking ahead, we’ll discuss emerging trends and […]

CMMC 101: What you need to know from framework to final rule

CMMC, Compliance, GRC, Top Posts

With a staggering loss of $3.5 billion in intellectual property through its contractors a year, the Department of Defense (DoD) needed a way to shore up cybersecurity in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). From this need, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program was created with an initial release in 2020. The entire purpose […]

Supply Chain Security: Managing Risk Beyond Your Vendors

Compliance, Cybersecurity, Events, GRC, Risk

When it comes to third-party supply chain security, there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right. Every vendor you work with brings their own vendors into the mix—so who truly owns the risk? In this session, we’ll explore how to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks at every level without overburdening […]

Security Questionnaires: You Can’t Just Blame the Intern

Compliance, Events, GRC, Risk, Top Posts, TPRM

Let’s face it—no one enjoys security questionnaires. They are tedious and time-consuming, and it’s easy to question their real effectiveness in mitigating security risks, especially since they’re often a check-the-box exercise. However, in today’s digital landscape, they are unavoidable for building and maintaining trust with customers. Join us as we confront this harsh reality: despite […]

CMMC Compliance: Cutting Through the Confusion

CMMC, Compliance, Events, GRC, Top Posts

Cybersecurity leaders want to know, in plain terms, what they need to do when it comes to CMMC to ensure compliance and customer contractual obligations. Join us for a conversation with cybersecurity experts about what’s actually needed to stay on track with CMMC compliance. We’ll dive into the real gaps you may be facing […]