S4E15: Resilient Cyber w/ Tom Pace

In this episode, Chris Hughes and Dr. Nikki Robinson chat with Tom Pace, co-founder and CEO of NetRise, to discuss the challenges and emerging trends in firmware, IoT, and cyber-physical systems security. Tom shares his insights on the importance of visibility into devices, the role of Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs), and how the cybersecurity landscape is evolving for IoT devices. He also touches on the role of veterans in cybersecurity and the complexities of building a resilient cybersecurity strategy.

Key Highlights:

• The importance of firmware analysis in securing IoT, ICS, medical devices, and other embedded systems

• How NetRise is building solutions to provide visibility into these "black box" devices and addressing supply chain risk

• Discussion on the commonality across different industries' firmware vulnerabilities

• Insights into the growth of SBOMs (Software Bill of Materials) and why they are critical to security, even outside regulatory requirements

• The ethos behind information-sharing initiatives in the cybersecurity community and the potential benefits of collaboration

• The role of labeling efforts for consumer IoT devices and why transparency should be prioritized

• Tom's personal journey from serving in the Marine Corps to leading NetRise and the growing presence of veterans in the cybersecurity industry

• His take on cyber resiliency: "Bend, not break" by focusing on visibility and making data-driven decisions to reinforce resiliency