Episode Summary:

Traci Byrne has spent a lot of her time aligning CISOs, startups, and internal teams.

In this episode, she breaks down how she does that, starting with listening, understanding what each side is trying to do, and using that to guide decisions without forcing them.

That same approach shows up in disagreements. Instead of shutting ideas down, she asks questions that expose gaps and lets people work through them.

It shows up most in security, where risk, new tech, and competing priorities all collide. If your role depends on influence and not control, this one will feel very familiar!

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction to Cybersecurity Marketing and Guest Introduction

[03:49] Understanding Global Security Strategic Initiatives

[06:28] A Week in the Life of Tracy Byrne

[08:48] Navigating Startup and Enterprise Relationships

[11:34] Operational Resilience and Cybersecurity

[14:09] Influencing Without Authority in Cybersecurity

[16:25] Building Trust and Understanding Stakeholder Needs

[17:42] Healthy Conflict and Disagreement Management

[20:17] Company Culture and Collaboration at WWT

[22:30] Personal Aspirations and Future Goals

About Traci:

Traci Byrne was recently Head of Global Security Strategic Initiatives at World Wide Technology at the time of recording. She worked across enterprise teams and partners, supporting large strategic deals and helping organizations navigate complex security challenges.

She also advises startups on go-to-market and engaging with large enterprises, and hosts the Meet the Chief podcast.

Links & Resources:

Traci Byrne on LinkedIn

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Follow the Host:

Gianna Whitver on LinkedIn

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. You can join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, on our main LinkedIn page, our Instagram page, or our podcast LinkedIn page.

See you on the next episode!

Alignment Episode: How Traci Byrne Works Across CISOs, Startups, and Partners