CyberWire Daily Podcast Summary
Episode: Rich Hale: Understanding the Data
Host: N2K Networks
Release Date: April 20, 2025

Introduction to Rich Hale

In this episode of CyberWire Daily, hosted by N2K Networks, Rich Hale, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Active NAV, shares his professional journey and insights into data security. Released on April 20, 2025, this episode delves into Hale’s transition from the Air Force to the cybersecurity industry, emphasizing the challenges and solutions in managing organizational data.

Rich Hale’s Professional Journey

Rich Hale begins by recounting his early aspirations and career path:

• Early Interests:

  • Desired to be a board game designer and player during his youth.
  • Transitioned to a passion for electronic games and programming.

• Military Service:

  • “Ultimately I wanted to join the Air Force. I actually did manage to achieve that one.” (00:52)
  • Studied aeronautical engineering in London before joining the Air Force.
  • Spent a year traveling, visiting various air forces, and learning to fly.
  • Served 16 years in the British military, gaining diverse experience across:
    • Training aircraft to bombers
    • Roles in procurement and policy

• Transition to Civilian Sector:

  • Two-year stint in Texas with Raytheon Company on a new aircraft acquisition project.
  • Realized his passion shifted from the Air Force to massive change programs associated with new technology procurements.
  • Returned to the UK and took on the Defence Information Infrastructure Program, overseeing the migration of 720,000 users to a new infrastructure.

Transition to Active NAV

Rich Hale's pivotal moment came when he encountered the challenges of data management within the Air Force:

• The Data Conundrum:

  • “How do I know what to do with my data if I don't know what it is?” (01:45)
  • Led him to collaborate with Active NAVision, where he helped design software to understand the Air Force’s data holdings.

• Educational Advancement:

  • Pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in preparation for his transition out of the military.

• Joining Active NAV:

  • Active NAV's CEO offered him a job, aligning his experience with the company's mission.
  • “Here I am. We are looking to enable organisations really to shed light on their data, and technology really hasn't cracked that problem yet.” (03:10)

Addressing Dark Data

Rich Hale emphasizes the pervasive issue of dark data within organizations:

• Definition and Risks:

  • Dark data refers to data accumulated over years in unstructured formats across platforms like SharePoint, Teams, and Slack.
  • Contains sensitive, risky, and personal data that remains unmanaged.
  • “It exposes organizations to risk, to breach possibilities. Bit like a dark web inside your own organisation's intranet.” (04:15)

• Active NAV’s Mission:

  • “Our job is to shed light on that so organisations can properly secure it and look after it.” (03:45)
  • Facilitating organizations to understand and secure their data comprehensively.

Leadership Philosophy

Rich Hale shares his approach to leadership and team management at Active NAV:

• Vision-Driven Leadership:

  • Focuses on communicating the company’s vision to ensure alignment across teams.
  • “I'm a big fan of teams and people being aligned.” (05:00)

• Organizational Growth:

  • Advocates for flat leadership and organizational structures.
  • Embraces servant leadership, ensuring teams are well-resourced, motivated, and empowered.

• Personal Development:

  • Strives to make his teams cooler, smarter, faster.
  • Aims to overcome his own founder syndrome by delegating responsibilities.
  • “When you see that you're making progress overall, then you know it's easy to take the tough days.” (05:40)

Career Transition Insights

Rich Hale offers advice for professionals contemplating a career shift, drawing from his own experience transitioning from the military to the tech industry:

• Embracing Change:

  • Credit’s the British military’s preparation for handling change.
  • “They prepare their people very well for change, but certainly it's daunting stepping across the line.” (06:20)

• Encouragement and Caution:

  • Encourages taking calculated risks and embracing opportunities.
  • “It's worth looking twice before you jump. Make sure that you're not going on a whim. But take a risk, take a chance.” (06:35)

• Building Resilience:

  • Highlights the importance of confidence and resilience.
  • Advises maintaining open communication and showing vulnerability when needed.

Conclusion

Rich Hale’s narrative provides valuable insights into the complexities of data management within large organizations and the importance of effective leadership in navigating these challenges. His transition from the Air Force to a leading role in cybersecurity underscores the transferable skills acquired through military service and the significance of aligning personal passions with professional pursuits.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich Hale: “Ultimately I wanted to join the Air Force. I actually did manage to achieve that one.” (00:52)
• Rich Hale: “How do I know what to do with my data if I don't know what it is?” (01:45)
• Rich Hale: “Here I am. We are looking to enable organisations really to shed light on their data, and technology really hasn't cracked that problem yet.” (03:10)
• Rich Hale: “It exposes organizations to risk, to breach possibilities. Bit like a dark web inside your own organisation's intranet.” (04:15)
• Rich Hale: “I'm a big fan of teams and people being aligned.” (05:00)
• Rich Hale: “When you see that you're making progress overall, then you know it's easy to take the tough days.” (05:40)
• Rich Hale: “They prepare their people very well for change, but certainly it's daunting stepping across the line.” (06:20)
• Rich Hale: “It's worth looking twice before you jump. Make sure that you're not going on a whim. But take a risk, take a chance.” (06:35)

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the intersection of military discipline and corporate innovation, illustrating how diverse experiences contribute to effective leadership in the cybersecurity landscape.