When should a startup hire a CSO?

In this first episode of Access Control, a podcast providing practical security advice for startups, Ben Arent chats with Donnie Hasseltine, CSO at Xenon Partner and CEO at TeamPassword & TeamsID. Donnie talks about his time working as a CSO at a boutique private equity firm, how they go about performing a security review before and during an acquisition. The chat deep-dives into how using a password manager can help secure your org to prevent phishing attempts and into Donnie’s transition from the US Army to cybersecurity to CSO and how to overcome imposter syndrome.

A discussion with Donnie Hasseltine

Key Topics on Access Control Podcast: Episode 1 – A Security Chat with Donnie Hasseltine

Skilled cyber practitioners are in high demand, and transitioning to the cybersecurity industry is not a difficult transition for those already practicing cybersecurity in the military.
Xenon is a tech private equity team that buys and operates B2B SaaS companies, with a focus on distressed assets.
Acquired startups tend to have a general lack of knowledge of basic security hygiene and where the risks lie in the company.
There is no such thing as a normal day for a CSO.
Companies that can't yet afford a CSO should at least put one person in charge of security.
TeamPassword is a password manager, and password management is a critical tool for not just business but also for individuals.
It's important to consider what leads to hacks, such as the recent SolarWinds hack.
Addressing computer security vulnerabilities requires addressing the human aspect of security since it may be the source of vulnerabilities.

This podcast is produced and sponsored by Teleport.