Player / Coach Leadership: Insights from Public Sector CIO, Ricardo Suarez

In this episode of the Professional CISO Podcast, host David Malicoat interviews Ricardo Suarez, a seasoned technology leader who has served in local government for over 21 years. Ricardo shares his journey from being a sysadmin and teacher to becoming the CIO of Hialeah. The conversation delves into the early influences on Ricardo's interest in technology, the importance of professionalizing the role of the CISO, and the evolving challenges of cybersecurity. They also discuss the significance of conferences for networking and innovation, as well as the complexities of leadership and relationship-building in the public sector.

00:00 Introduction to the Professional CISO Podcast 
00:09 Meet Our Guest: Ricardo Suarez 
01:32 Personal Background and Early Career 
02:28 Transition to Cybersecurity 
04:01 The Role of a CISO 
06:28 Challenges and Insights in Leadership 
07:33 The Value of Conferences 
09:49 Innovation in Cybersecurity 
11:26 Leadership Style and Development 
14:03 Rapid-Fire Questions 
16:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts