CDW’s Ryan Link on Building a Culture of Continuous Learning

In our latest episode of the Future of Threat Intelligence podcast, David sits down with Ryan Link, Principal of Threat Detection and Response at CDW. Ryan shares his decade-long journey in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of thinking like an attacker to enhance threat detection capabilities. 

 

He discusses the critical role of continuous training for security teams and the integration of AI in reducing detection fatigue. Additionally, Ryan highlights the necessity of cloud training to future-proof cybersecurity teams in an increasingly digital landscape. Tune in for valuable insights on building a resilient and adaptive security strategy! 

 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of thinking like an attacker to identify potential risks and improve overall security posture.  
• The critical role of continuous training for cybersecurity professionals to keep skills sharp and stay updated on threats.  
• The integration of AI in threat detection, focusing on reducing noise and enhancing efficiency in security operations.  
• The need for collaboration between blue and red teams to improve detection capabilities and incident response processes.  
• The value of cloud training as essential for future-proofing cybersecurity teams in an increasingly cloud-centric digital environment.  
• Why organizations should assess their maturity level before leveraging threat intelligence, ensuring it aligns with their capabilities and resources.   

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Assess your cybersecurity maturity level to determine the appropriate use of threat intelligence and avoid overspending on unnecessary tools.  
• Implement continuous training programs for your security team to keep skills sharp and ensure they stay updated on evolving threats.  
• Encourage team members to think like attackers to better identify vulnerabilities and enhance your organization’s overall security posture.  
• Integrate AI technologies into your threat detection processes to reduce noise and improve the efficiency of security operations.  
• Foster collaboration between blue and red teams to enhance detection capabilities and ensure effective incident response strategies.  
• Prioritize cloud training for your team to understand the complexities of cloud environments and secure data effectively.  
• Develop custom detection capabilities by leveraging threat intelligence to create tailored responses to specific threats your organization may face.  
• Document processes and procedures regularly to maintain clarity and support onboarding of new team members effectively.  
• Utilize automated testing environments to streamline the threat detection lifecycle and improve the accuracy of your security tools.  
• Take regular breaks to prevent burnout among your security team, ensuring they remain mentally sharp and effective in their roles.