Egos vs. Expertise: The Cybersecurity Divide, with Andres Andreu

In this riveting episode of The CXO Secrets podcast, host David McClelland sits down with Andres Andreu, Deputy CISO at Hearst, to delve deep into the complexities of cybersecurity leadership in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Andres shares his unique insights on the crucial balance between technical expertise and executive decision-making, exploring the choices cybersecurity leaders face in maintaining their technical edge while navigating corporate dynamics. He challenges the notion of being a detached "empty suit" in the C-suite, emphasizing the necessity of hands-on experience and continuous learning in today's threat landscape.

David and Andres discuss the critical role of organizational culture in shaping security strategies, the realities of being a cybersecurity leader, and the importance of understanding one's holistic attack surface. With a candid approach, they tackle the challenges of staying relevant in a fast-paced field, the pressure of being "always on," and the sacrifices required to lead effectively.

Join them for an enlightening conversation that not only uncovers the realities of cybersecurity but also provides valuable lessons on leadership, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge in a world fraught with risk.

Andres Andreu

Deputy CISO

Hearst

Andres Andreu is a renowned cybersecurity leader and executive with deep expertise in building and leading enterprise security programs. He holds prestigious credentials including CISSP and ISSAP and is a Boardroom Certified Qualified Technology Expert (QTE). He is a mentor, startup advisor, and acclaimed author with extensive experience across offensive and defensive cybersecurity disciplines, guided by a philosophy that balances executive priorities with employee enablement.

Andres has served as a senior cybersecurity leader at Hearst, where his leadership and innovative approaches have helped shape and strengthen enterprise security programs within a complex media and information environment. His work reflects a pragmatic, business-aligned approach to cybersecurity that emphasizes resilience, risk management, and measurable outcomes.

His contributions to the field have earned him industry recognition, including Top 100 CISO (C100) by Security Current and Top 50 Information Security Professional honors, along with features in leading cybersecurity publications.

Andres is the author of “The CISO Playbook”, “Professional Pen Testing Web Applications”, and the upcoming “The CISO Playbook – The Adversarial Mindset”, and a contributor to “97 Things Every Application Security Professional Should Know”. He is also an inventor with multiple cybersecurity-related patents, reflecting his commitment to advancing innovation in the field.

A Cuban immigrant and proud American citizen, Andres brings a global perspective and resilient mindset to his work. Beyond his professional work, he is a devoted husband and father of four. He is an International-level certified Judo coach with USA Judo and an artist who showcases his creative work online. His career and personal pursuits together reflect a commitment to excellence, discipline, and lifelong learning.

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