Four Conversations That Changed How We Think About Cybersecurity
- Edge7 Networks
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
October is always a big month in cybersecurity - the month of “awareness.” But it can also be the month where vendors play buzzword bingo, fun infographics remind you not to click links and security conversations happen just for the sake of it.
We wanted to do something different; to cut through the noise (or at least not add to it) by having honest, practical conversations with people who live and breathe cybersecurity every day.
This year, The Cyber Insights Podcast (powered by Edge7 Networks) went all in releasing a four-part Cyber Security Awareness Month special, with new episodes every week featuring some of the most insightful voices in cybersecurity, governance, and resilience.
From human psychology to AI, national defence to systemic risk, these conversations uncovered what’s really shaping the next era of cybersecurity and why it’s no longer just a technical problem.
Episode 1 |Why Humans Are Your Biggest Hope (Not Threat) in Cybersecurity: Dr. Louise O’Hagan
We kicked off the month with Dr. Louise O’Hagan, Cybersecurity Governance Programme Manager by day job, cyberpsychologist by passion, to explore the human side of cyber risk and why it’s time to rethink how we talk about users.
Louise challenged the long-held belief that “humans are the weakest link”, reframing it to show that people can actually be an organisation’s strongest defence when given the right context, support, and culture.
From the psychology behind awareness to how deepfakes exploit the same triggers as classic scams, she explained how security culture must evolve from compliance to connection.
Louise is right - we see this every day. Security incidents so often start not with bad intent, but with confusion. The real fix isn’t another phishing simulation; it’s embedding cybersecurity training and awareness that suit your users into everyday decision-making.
This can be something simple to start. Run short, human-focused workshops that explain why policies exist, not just what to do. When users understand purpose, compliance follows naturally.
Listen to the episode →
Episode 2 | Why Passwords Are Only the Beginning of Identity Security - Sean O’Neill (Brigantia)
Next, Sean O’Neill, Category Manager at Brigantia, joined us to separate myth from reality in the world of passwords, IAM, and PAM.
The key message? Most businesses think a password manager solves their identity problem. In reality, it’s just step one.
Sean walked us through why identity and access management is becoming the backbone of modern security covering:
The risks of single sign-on when misconfigured
Why “passwordless” isn’t the silver bullet (yet)
And how frameworks like NIS2 are forcing a rethink of accountability in identity security
It’s a must-listen for IT leaders who want practical advice on visibility, control, and compliance without the jargon.
We’ve seen too many organisations rely on password vaults as their “IAM strategy.” The truth is, without visibility into who has access to what, you’re blind to one of the biggest risk areas in your business. Identity is the new perimeter but only if it’s managed, not assumed. Half of all data breaches stem from credential misuse, and that’s one stat automation can fix faster than any awareness campaign.
Listen to the episode →
Episode 3 | Systemic Cyber Risk: Why CISOs Can’t Fix Cybersecurity Alone: Dr. Paul Guckian
Midway through the series, we went deep with Dr. Paul Guckian, author of Systemic Cyber Risk: Why CISOs Can’t Fix Cybersecurity, to challenge one of the biggest myths in our industry: that better defence automatically means better resilience.
Paul reframed cybersecurity as a systems problem, not an individual one drawing lessons from financial services, fire safety, and military command to show why containment, not perfection, is the true marker of maturity.
His central point: even the best defences can fail, but well-designed systems recover fast and that’s what real resilience looks like.
For CISOs and boards alike, this episode is a masterclass in redefining strategy for an era where “always on” means “always under threat.”
The “defend at all costs” mindset still dominates boardrooms, but resilience means preparing to fail gracefully. Our most secure clients are the ones who rehearse failure through tabletop exercises, redundancy planning, and cross-department scenario testing.
Ask yourself a simple question: If we were breached today, who leads the first hour? If that answer isn’t clear, resilience isn’t yet part of your strategy. Luckily, we can help with that!
Listen to the episode →
Episode 4 | Inside Ireland’s Fight Against Cybercrime: Detective Chief Superintendent Barry Walsh
We closed the month on home ground with Detective Chief Superintendent Barry Walsh, head of Ireland’s Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) for a rare inside look at how law enforcement tackles cybercrime in the real world.
Barry shared the Bureau’s evolution from a one-person unit in 1991 to a critical national resource and the operational realities of fighting ransomware, phishing, and digital extortion in 2025.
From incident response priorities to evidence preservation, Barry offered pragmatic advice that every organisation, large or small, should hear: when ransomware hits, you have hours, not days to respond, and preparation determines survival.
It’s not often you get to hear Ireland’s top cybercrime expert speak candidly about what really happens after an attack.
Listen to the episode →
Looking Ahead: From Awareness to Action
Across all four episodes, one theme stood out: cybersecurity is no longer about tools, it’s about people, systems, and strategy.
Dr. Louise O’Hagan reminded us that humans are our biggest hope, not our biggest threat.
Sean O’Neill showed us that identity is the new perimeter.
Dr. Paul Guckian reframed security as a systemic challenge, not a technical one.
Barry Walsh demonstrated that real-world resilience depends on readiness and coordination.
Cyber Security Awareness Month might be over but the conversation is just beginning.