S8E22- Alan Clinard Discusses Building Security Programs That Actually Work

In S8E22, Greg Schaffer sits down with Alan Clinard, founder of Athena vCISO Services, to explore what it really means to be a trusted security advisor. Drawing from a career that spans the U.S. Army, operational risk consulting, banking, critical infrastructure, and virtual CISO services, Alan shares how understanding the business—not just the technology—is the key to effective cybersecurity leadership. The conversation dives into translating cyber risk into business language, the challenges of moving from technical expert to consultant, and why humility and relationship-building are often more important than technical knowledge when influencing organizations. Alan also discusses entrepreneurship, mentoring the next generation of security leaders, and helping clients become self-sufficient rather than dependent on outside advisors. Whether you're a security practitioner aspiring to leadership, a current vCISO, or a business executive trying to bridge the gap between security and business objectives, this episode offers practical insights on governance, risk management, consulting, and building security programs that truly support organizational success.