Is Security Funny - What Hobbies Can Teach a CISO

The New CISO

In this episode of The New CISO, Steve is joined by guest Grant Lockwood, Chief Information Security Officer at Virtus Health.

After starting his career in an administrative position, Grant found himself getting bored. After being urged by his wife, Grant turned things around and is now a DJ, comedian, and, of course, a successful CISO. Listen to the episode to learn more about Grant’s impressive career journey, how to make your content compelling, and the transferable skills from performing comedy.

Listen to Steve and Grant discuss how hobbies can make you a better security leader and the importance of adapting to your surroundings:

Meet Grant (1:33)

Before becoming a CISO, Grant was a health sector chief information officer for a health department. Although his current role is very different, he can see the similarities between the two positions.

Before these two roles, Grant had spent years in an administrative position. Not sure what he wanted to do, his wife encouraged him to take up some hobbies, leading him to become a more well-rounded security professional.

Being a DJ (7:18)

Grant explains what people don’t know about being a DJ. He understands that what makes him a strong DJ is that he’s good at computers, demonstrating the similarities between cyber security and music.

Besides being a stress relief, Grant feels that being a DJ helps him with timing and being present, which he applies to his CISO role.

The Funny CISO (11:40)

Becoming a stand-up comedian has proven to be a transferable skill set for Grant. He reflects on how comedy helped him with his presentation skills and the ability to compel an audience.

Truth to Power (18:55)

Steve presses Grant on whether doing comedy has improved his ability to deliver truth to power. Grant understands how stand-up has expanded this skill set because he learned to hold others’ attention.

Grant also shares his feelings on the “lizard brain” and how this influences how we interact with others. Comedy taps into people’s lizard brains because it's an involuntary reaction that can bond us.

Being Adaptable (23:18)

Grant explains how stand-up forces you to adapt to your environment and use it to your advantage. This mentality also applies to presentations because you can shift gears based on your audience’s reaction.

When you can adjust your performance to the mood of others, you can hold their attention long enough to communicate your ideas effectively.

A Better Training (27:12)

If Grant could advise a security training leader, he would suggest they ask themselves, “Would this be entertaining to my mom?” Teaching potential CISOs how to make their work captivating to a wider net will make them better security leaders overall.

Links mentioned:

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