Transforming Cyber Defense: Zero Trust Strategies with Sean Connelly

Cyber Focus

In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo sits down with Sean Connelly, the Executive Director for Zero Trust Strategy and Policy at Zscaler, to delve into the origins, challenges, and best practices of zero trust architecture. Connelly shares insights from his extensive experience, including his time at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), where he led significant zero trust initiatives. The conversation covers the evolution of cybersecurity strategies, the impact of technologies like cloud computing, and the ongoing challenges in implementing zero trust across federal agencies. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of why zero trust is critical in today’s cybersecurity landscape and how it is shaping the future of digital security.

Main Topics

· Introduction to Zero Trust

· Evolution of Zero Trust in Government

· Impact of Cloud Computing and Modern Technologies

· Implementation Challenges and Cultural Shifts

· Future of Zero Trust and AI Integration

· Closing Thoughts and the Importance of Federal Leadership

Key Quotes:

“SolarWinds happened, and it really from a very high level all the way from the president downwards, everyone was asking how do we look at cybersecurity differently?” – Sean Connelly

“The old perimeter security alone ain't going to cut it with the castles, the moats and any alligators or anything in between.” – Frank Cilluffo

“CISA has doubled down on secure by design, Department of Energy, Cyber informed engineering, where it's not just the cyber ninjas that need to understand security, but everyone else.” – Frank Cilluffo

“It takes a long time to build trust. Whether people or technology.” Frank Cilluffo

“Zero Trust is all about interoperability. Sharing telemetry, not only internally, but with new organizations.” – Sean Connelly

Guest Bio:

Sean Connelly is the Executive Director for Zero Trust Strategy and Policy at Zscaler, where he leads the company’s efforts to advance zero trust architecture in both the public and private sectors. Before joining Zscaler, Sean spent over a decade at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), where he played a pivotal role in developing and implementing zero trust strategies across federal agencies. His extensive experience in both technical and policy aspects of cybersecurity makes him a leading voice in the field.