On this episode of Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast, Newfire’s Head of Advisory Services Will Crawford sits down with Laura Louthan, founder of Angel Cybersecurity. Laura, a seasoned virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), discusses how businesses can creatively address security challenges without stretching their budgets. Drawing on her extensive experience with notable companies like Sephora and Equifax, Laura offers valuable insights into building secure infrastructures, managing risk, and crafting effective and budget-conscious security strategies. Listen in for a deep dive into maximizing your security impact while conserving resources.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Laura Louthan and her background in cybersecurity.
• Balancing security and budget constraints for startups and smaller businesses.
• Finding the right security leadership.
• Unique security challenges within the healthcare sector.
• Educating employees on the importance of security practices.
• Managing third-party vendor risks and evaluations.
• The role of AI in enhancing security tools and practices.
• Implementing an effective incident response plan.
• Advice for future security professionals.

In the inaugural episode of "Hard Problems, Smart Solutions," Newfire's VP of Data and AI, Gordon Wong, hosts Emily Lindemer, Executive Director of Data and Healthcare Innovation at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

They discuss AI's transformative potential in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of streamlining data and addressing administrative inefficiencies to improve patient outcomes. The conversation explores Emily's career journey, the current state of AI in healthcare, and practical advice for organizations looking to implement AI solutions with a focus on technical, regulatory, and ROI perspectives. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing healthcare disparities through robust data infrastructure and scalable platforms, with strategic insights for organizations looking to leverage AI effectively.

Key takeaways include focusing on feasible, high-impact applications and the necessity for robust data infrastructure.