About this episode

Iain Paterson shares his unconventional journey into cybersecurity and the essential skills for success in the field.

In this episode of The New CISO , host Steve Moore speaks with Iain Paterson , Chief Information Security Officer at Well Health Technologies , about his unconventional path into cybersecurity and the lessons learned from building programs across industries—from banking and healthcare to breach response and beyond. From skipping college to take an eight-month technical boot camp to leading enterprise security programs, Iain shares how curiosity, hands-on experience, and communication skills shaped his journey. He opens up about the realities of hiring in cybersecurity, why foundational IT work still matters, and how soft skills like empathy and composure are essential for effective leadership. Iain also reflects on leading through high-stress incidents, including the Ashley Madison breach, and explains why staying calm, communicating clearly, and maintaining emotional intelligence define the “new CISO.” Key Topics Covered: A nontraditional start: skipping college for certifications and hands-on learning Why technical foundations—servers, networks, and support—still matter The problem with “boilerplate” resumes and lack of real-world experience Why soft skills are a security…

People in this episode

Host: Steve Moore

Guest: Iain Paterson

Topics covered

• cybersecurity
• career paths
• soft skills
• technical foundations
• leadership
• vulnerability management

Keywords

• cybersecurity
• leadership
• soft skills
• technical boot camp
• vulnerability management
• communication
• empathy
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Well Health Technologies, Ashley Madison

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• Architect and Firefighter: How a Modern CISO Leads in Crisis · March 12, 2026 · 49 min
• Six Steps for Better Communication as a CISO · February 19, 2026 · 49 min
• The Four Cs: Why a Schoolteacher Makes a Great CISO · January 29, 2026 · 54 min
• Safety Third: Why Security Shouldn't Be Your Top Priority · January 8, 2026 · 1h 7m

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