CyberWire Daily Podcast Summary
Episode: Mark Nunnikhoven: Providing Clarity About Security [Cloud Strategy]
Host/Author: N2K Networks
Release Date: June 15, 2025

Introduction to Mark Nunnikhoven

In this insightful episode of CyberWire Daily, host N2K Networks interviews Mark Nunnikhoven, the Distinguished Cloud Strategist at Lacework. Mark shares his extensive journey through the realms of computing and cybersecurity, highlighting his transition from early computing enthusiasm to a pivotal role in modern cloud security strategies.

Early Passion for Computing

Mark's fascination with computers began in his youth, sparked by his father’s foresight in acquiring a Commodore 128 during the early days of the computer revolution. This experience ignited his passion for tinkering and programming.

“From the moment that [Commodore 128] entered it sort of crossed the threshold. I fell in love with it. I loved tinkering with it, programming it, pushing it to its limits.”
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This hands-on experience during his formative years laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to computing.

Education and Early Career

Despite his early interest, Mark's educational journey was non-linear. He faced personal challenges that led him to drop out of high school multiple times and eventually left both junior college and university without completing degrees. Nevertheless, his passion for computers kept him engaged.

“I knew for a very long time that I wanted to do something with computers and what that was changed depending on sort of the year, but it was always around computing.”
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At 15, Mark began his professional career with Bell Northern Research, where he engaged in testing and light programming, contributing to projects like set-top boxes for cable television.

Transition to Security

Mark's transition into the security domain was significantly influenced by his decade-long tenure with the Canadian Federal Government. Here, he was exposed to stringent security mandates, which deepened his expertise and steered him towards cybersecurity.

“When I got into the government there was, you know, you're legally mandated to pay attention to security, which is a wonderful thing for a security practitioner.”
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During this period, he diversified his roles across service delivery, platform architecture, and security policy, eventually pursuing a Master's in Cybersecurity with a specialization in forensics.

Experiences in the Canadian Federal Government

Mark highlights the unique challenges and learning opportunities within the government sector. His work in forensics and attack analysis exposed him to sophisticated, state-level cyber threats, providing a breadth of experience uncommon in the private sector.

“I was starting to do a lot of attack analysis. And of course, if you're defending a nation state, you're seeing a lot of really in depth, crazy attacks.”
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This exposure not only honed his defensive capabilities but also fueled his passion for continuous learning and adapting to new security challenges.

Move to Private Sector and Trend Micro

A pivotal moment in Mark's career was his transition from public service to the private sector with Trend Micro. This move was driven by the opportunity to build Trend Micro's cloud business, despite the cultural shift from a stable government environment to the dynamic demands of the private sector.

“It's not that common to leave the public service once you're in it, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.”
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He appreciated the fast-paced environment of the private sector, which contrasted with the lifetime employment ethos of public service.

Current Role at Lacework

Currently at Lacework, Mark serves as the Distinguished Cloud Strategist, focusing on automating cloud security and leveraging vast amounts of data to enhance security measures. His role is deeply rooted in his passion for technology and his desire to drive innovation in cybersecurity.

“We're looking at how to automate cloud security and we're looking at how to leverage data, a lot of data, and being a nerd at heart, loving computers from an early age and loving math from an early age, I'm like, okay, there is a lot of cool stuff that we can do with that.”
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Mark views the cloud as a pivotal enabler for modern, scalable security solutions, aligning perfectly with his expertise and interests.

Philosophy and Motivation

Mark’s career is guided by a simple yet profound philosophy: continuous learning and knowledge sharing. He emphasizes the importance of both acquiring new skills and helping others grow.

“Did I learn something new and did I share something to help somebody else learn something new? And that's really what drives me day after day.”
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Whether through team collaboration at Lacework, social media interactions, or teaching courses, Mark finds fulfillment in contributing to the collective growth of the cybersecurity community.

Challenges and Coping Strategies

Like many in the field, Mark has faced challenging periods, especially over the past eighteen months. He copes with these "dark days" by carving out personal time to recharge and maintain his resilience.

“Dark days tend to be where I'm meeting to meeting to meeting and, you know, nothing's going right. But what gets me out of those days normally is I will try to carve out 15 to 20 minutes for myself and read a novel.”
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This balance between professional dedication and personal well-being is crucial for sustaining his long-term passion and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Mark Nunnikhoven’s journey from a young computing enthusiast to a distinguished cloud strategist encapsulates the essence of passion, adaptability, and continuous learning in the cybersecurity landscape. His insights into cloud security automation and data leveraging at Lacework provide valuable perspectives for industry professionals seeking clarity and innovation in security strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• “I fell in love with it. I loved tinkering with it, programming it, pushing it to its limits.”
  [01:03]

• “When I got into the government there was, you know, you're legally mandated to pay attention to security, which is a wonderful thing for a security practitioner.”
  [01:03]

• “Did I learn something new and did I share something to help somebody else learn something new? And that's really what drives me day after day.”
  [01:03]

• “We're looking at how to automate cloud security and we're looking at how to leverage data, a lot of data...”
  [01:03]

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the valuable insights shared by Mark Nunnikhoven.