Cory Wilburn redefines the CIO role as "Chief Alignment Officer," focusing on ensuring everyone understands how they contribute to the organization's mission (I love this Cory!)
Creating a "culture of safety" forms the foundation for innovation - "if you're trying to move the ball forward and fall short, you're among friends, not in a 'gotcha' environment"
Building trust begins with personal connections - meet team members where they are (and not where you think they should be!)
The storytelling imperative - effective security leaders must communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences through compelling narratives

Higher Ed's Unique Security Challenge: Decentralized IT

Higher education operates as a "coalition of the unwilling" requiring consensus-building rather than top-down directives
The academic paradox: institutional openness creates security vulnerability - "everyone walks in with multiple devices and you add to it with classroom technology"
Balancing innovation with protection - "you always have to find that right balance of risk and innovation" based on data sensitivity and organizational context
The constant risk-reward calculation of patch management - "we're going to break this system with this patch, what's the trade-off?"

Tanium's Whole of Education Framework

Provides "AWACS-like visibility" across fragmented IT environments while respecting academic autonomy
Real-time endpoint management creates a "staff multiplier" effect, freeing IT professionals from routine maintenance
Success story: Winston Salem State University transformed staff culture through enhanced visibility, with employees now generating innovative solutions
Visibility without control - "we're not taking over their environment, we're simply looking so you know what your risk is"

The Evolving Threat Landscape

Sobering statistic: 80% of breaches stem from unpatched software vulnerabilities, with 80% of those preventable
COVID accelerated digital transformation - "in three months they had done exactly what I'd been trying to get them to do for years"
IoT explosion has increased endpoints by "magnitudes of hundreds over what it was just five years ago"
Education remains the primary defense - "at the end of the day, your biggest risk points are your users"

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(03:03) New UT-McCombs building project

(03:49) The "Whole of Education" approach

(05:47) Winston Salem State success story

(07:02) Managing IT complexity today

(09:22) Open centers of innovation vs. cyber threats

(12:15) Real-time visibility for campus security

(15:20) The endpoint explosion across campus

(16:52) 80% of breaches from unpatched software

(23:35) Building trust as a new leader

(26:56) The "Chief Alignment Officer" leadership approach

(28:40) Reducing IT risk in decentralized environments

Quotable Moments:

Cory Wilburn's Quotes:

"I think the best way to empower people is to get them in the door and explain the assignment, get on the same page, make sure that they understand the requirements and the constraints. And then give them the opportunity to make choices."
"It starts with a culture where we're safe to make mistakes, where if you're trying to innovate and you're trying to move the ball forward and do the right thing that you're among friends and there's not going to be a gotcha out there if you happen to fall short."
"My title is chief information officer, but really I think my job is I'm a CAO. I'm a chief alignment officer."

Doug Thompson's Quotes:

"The best leaders I've ever had have been those that have that vulnerability. And if it's okay to fail, as long as you don't keep making the same mistake."
"You have to learn to tell stories... You have to tell that story in a language that they can understand, a framework from which they have."
"80 percent of the vulnerabilities and breaches are unpatched software applications... 80 percent of those could have been prevented if they would have simply done that."

Connect

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Partners

Thanks to our friends at SentinelOne for being our Podcast & Newsletter Partner

SentinelOne: Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline: The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most. Check out the solutions built for first responders: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
Carahsoft: Did you know TechTables is on the Carahsoft Master Contract? Speak to your Carahsoft rep today about special discount pricing only through the TechTables + Carahsoft partnership, and email joe@techtables.com if you have any questions!

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