Ep. 152 - Security Awareness Series - Sharing With Your Frenemies with Bernie Acre

In this episode, Chris Hadnagy and Ryan MacDougall are joined by Bernie Acre.  Bernie is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Bryan, TX where he's responsible for all technology and communications systems, including the Fire, Police, Public Works, the municipal electric utility, and a myriad of general support organizations.  Bernie is currently an appointed Member of the Texas Cybersecurity Council. Bernie has a combined 41-years of experience in information technology; including 20+ in the US Air Force and 21 years in the electric utility industry and municipal government. August 16, 2021 00:00 – Intro  www.social-engineer.com  Managed Voice Phishing    Managed Email Phishing    Adversarial Simulations    Social-Engineer channel on SLACK    CLUTCH    www.innocentlivesfoundation.org  03:34 – Bernie Acre Intro 04:43 – How did your transition into this position take place? 08:18 – What makes you proud of the culture that you created around employee awareness? 12:25 – How do you get all senior management on board? 14:24 – What did it take to find the people to make such a great team? 15:35 – What were you looking for in these people 17:15 – Setting the bar  19:15 – Team Advocate vs. Adversary  23:59 – Was your senior management always on board with being part of the testing?  27:06 – So the third hour of their required training is something the employees choose?  27:54 – Have you always had the philosophy that the security training you do at work should become personal?  29:21 – What are three things you would tell someone beginning in the field to focus on?  32:51 – Taking the time to grow  34:49 – What do you do to help combat burn out?  How about promoting self-care?  37:31 – What lacks the most sometimes in an organization is communication 37:43 – Who in this industry do you respect the most?  One of Bernie's commanders in the service, for overall leadership  For this industry:  Chris Hadnagy  Roger Grimes (KnowBe4)  Stu Sjouwerman (KnowBe4)  Kevin Mitnick (KnowBe4)  40:13 – Book Recommendations Winning America by Allan Eckert  All works by James Michener  Valor Across The Lone Star by Charles M. Neal  43:55 – What got you so heavily into history?  44:38 – Finding Bernie on the internet:  www.linkedin.com/in/bernie-acre-cgcio-7838375a/  www.bryantx.gov  47:04 – Outro  Thanks to Bernie  www.innocentlivesfoundation.org