About this episode

Chris Neuwirth shares his unconventional journey into cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of preparedness and the vulnerabilities organizations face.

In this episode, James Maude sits down with Chris Neuwirth, VP of Cyber Risk at Networks Group, whose path into cybersecurity might be the most unconventional you'll ever hear—from delivering babies as a teenage EMT to penetration testing critical infrastructure today. Chris's journey includes serving as an LAPD officer at Venice Beach, responding to 9/11 at the Pentagon, managing IT during Hurricane Sandy, and running operations as assistant commissioner at New Jersey's Department of Health during COVID-19. Along the way, he's been hacking everything he could get his hands on—from war driving through Manhattan in the early 2000s to conducting sophisticated penetration tests at hospitals and airports today. Chris discusses the importance of organizations being prepared and shares the uncomfortable truth: sometimes the easiest way past your defenses is just showing up and plugging in.

People in this episode

Host: James Maude

Guest: Chris Neuwirth

Topics covered

• cybersecurity
• penetration testing
• emergency response
• critical infrastructure
• personal journey
• preparedness

Keywords

• cyber risk
• penetration testing
• emergency management
• cybersecurity journey
• critical infrastructure
• preparedness
• hacking

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Networks Group, LAPD

Places: New Jersey, Venice Beach, Manhattan, Pentagon, hospitals, airports

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