Do We Belong Here? (In The Cyber World)

The Journey of a CISO Whisperer: Michael Piacente on a New Approach to Diversity in Cyber

Episode Summary

Happy New Year! 🎉 We’re kicking off 2025 by speaking with Michael Piacente, the managing partner and co-founder of Hitch Partners, an executive search firm specializing in the cybersecurity and technology fields. In this episode, Tashya and Pam dive into the unique approach of Hitch Partners in prioritizing diversity and inclusion and the current state of the CISO job market amid changing economic conditions. They discuss the future of CISO roles, common hiring mistakes companies make when pursuing diversity and the trends, and challenges women face in advancing their careers in cybersecurity.

Episode Notes

Learn more about Hitch Partners: https://www.hitchpartners.com/

Stream the Do We Belong Here documentary on Youtube.

Find us on social media: @DoWeBelongPod

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Roles

03:00 Michael Piacente's Journey to Hitch Partners

06:11 The Unique Approach of Hitch Partners

08:57 Diversity and Inclusion in Recruitment

11:45 The Changing Cybersecurity Landscape

14:53 Navigating the CISO Job Market

19:01 The Future of CISO Roles

23:08 Impact of AI on Cybersecurity Roles

28:31 Understanding Candidate Expectations and Interview Dynamics

31:10 Preparing Candidates for Cybersecurity Interviews

35:32 The Importance of Mentorship and Support for Women

38:20 Hiring Mistakes in Pursuit of Diversity

44:05 Trends and Challenges for Women in Cybersecurity

52:36 The Role of Allies in Promoting Diversity