Should you get a PhD in Cybersecurity?

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, G. Mark Hardy sits down with Dr. Char Sample at the COSAC security conference in Ireland to unpack what it REALLY takes to earn a doctorate in cybersecurity.

From her early work on the Gauntlet firewall to cybersecurity research at the Army Research Lab, INL, and Marshall University, Dr. Sample shares hard-earned lessons on research, funding, doctoral programs, and surviving the PhD journey.

They also explore:

• Why a PhD can matter for cybersecurity research funding
• What makes a strong cybersecurity research problem
• How long a doctorate can take
• Research methods, proposals, and defending your work
• Remote vs. residency programs
• AI, hallucinated citations, and research reproducibility
• Why cybersecurity needs more focus on building securely, not just breaking things

If you're considering an advanced degree or want to understand where cybersecurity research is headed, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, we reveal the biggest security awareness mistakes and the creative ways to make cybersecurity training actually fun in 2026.

From AI-powered phishing and token theft to stronger MFA and gamified training, There are ideas every security leader should steal.

Watch now and level up your security awareness game!

Most CISOs spend years learning cybersecurity.

Almost nobody teaches them how to build a culture people actually want to be part of.

In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, G. Mark Hardy and Ross Young break down the leadership lessons that separate average security organizations from world-class ones.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build a security team people WANT to join
• Develop your employees into future CISOs
• Reward behavior that actually changes culture
• Communicate like an executive
• Spot when your company may NEVER promote you to CISO
• Prevent burnout before your best people leave
• Build trust across the business
• Create a culture of excellence, accountability, and curiosity

Ross also shares how he turned phishing awareness into a company competition, complete with trophies, CEO recognition, and brisket parties.

Because great cybersecurity leadership isn't just about stopping hackers.

It's about building an organization where great people can do their best work.

• What’s the ONE leadership rule every CISO should follow?

Subscribe to CISO Tradecraft for practical lessons on cybersecurity leadership, strategy, risk, and becoming a more effective CISO.

Template for Command Philosophy: https://www.gmarkhardy.com/Navy_Articles/NRA-0306%20Template%20for%20a%20Command%20Philosophy.pdf